Peer-to-peer social lending networks like Zopa represent a serious threat to the traditional banking industry, according to research carried out by the Social Futures Observatory.
The study finds that 74% of Britons would consider borrowing or lending through an online "social lending" community, and that as many as 61% don't trust their banks.
In total, 1000 people were surveyed and 20 qualitative interviews took place.
The study - commissioned and part-funded by Zopa - is divided into three broad sections. The first helps to trace the more traditional notions of 'social lending' and defines the term. The second examines several broad socio/cultural themes underpinning the re-awakening interest and activity in social lending. The third is a case study of Zopa.
Download the document now 1.8 mb (Adobe Acrobat Document)