Hello and good morning to all our readers. Welcome to another edition of the Prosper Roundup. We have lots in store for you today, including a large section for our small business entrepreneurs and for those looking to create their own start-up during this economic situation. Drop us a line when you’re through to tell [...]

• Mixed Lots Small Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

• Mixed Lots Indian Head 1859-1909 Small Cents Coins US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Prosper.com Roundup - Small Business and the Economic Crisis

A common subject our community members talk about is: how many loans does a lender need to be diversified? As far as a number is concerned, based on my review of marketplace data I believe that that a minimum of 100 equal sized loans achieves effective diversification.  In fact, I believe there are still diversification [...]

• Plate Number Coils United States Stamps

• Home-Based Businesses Businesses for Sale Opportunities

Continue reading → Optimal number and size of loans - other factors to consider - for diversification

It’s not surprising that lenders have recently been calling and emailing us to find out if their Prosper cash balances are FDIC insured. We want to take this opportunity to let our lenders know that their cash balances are, in fact, FDIC insured.  Prosper is not a bank, does not take deposits, and is not [...]

• Cash Registers Banks, Registers Vending Collectibles

• Bank of Canada Canada North, Central America Paper Money World Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Lender funds have FCIC coverage

It’s not surprising that lenders have recently been calling and emailing us to find out if their Prosper cash balances are FDIC insured. We want to take this opportunity to let our lenders know that their cash balances are, in fact, FDIC insured.  Prosper is not a bank, does not take deposits, and is not [...]

• Cash Registers Banks, Registers Vending Collectibles

• Bank of Canada Canada North, Central America Paper Money World Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Lender funds have FCIC coverage

The collection of links this week comprises a list of reads for small businesses and those looking to start a small business. Several articles discuss investors and start-up money. Browse the other categories to read about lending, banking, and stocks.
Peer-to-Peer Lending:
• Learn how P2P lending’s popularity surges over at Seo(X)Factor.
• Tiny Crunch Newswire writes Washington Mutual Bites [...]

• Small Cents Coins US Coins Paper Money

• Small Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup – Bailouts and Business

As you may have read, Citigroup recently agreed to purchase Wachovia’s banking operations for about $2.1 billion in a deal brokered by federal regulators. Wachovia’s troubles are similar to those of Washington Mutual, whose assets were seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation last week and sold to JPMorgan Chase. Wachovia sold thousands of adjustable [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Federal Reserve Notes Large Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Help Your Neighbors

Welcome to this latest edition of Prosper’s Weekly Roundup. The title for this week’s roundup comes from a Forbes headline. There’s a lot going on in the news! Be sure to check out the Stocks and Banking Industry section for more information.

Peer-to-Peer Lending:
• TNL.net presents fast pace look into the History of Currency. P2P Lending is [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Postal History Worldwide Stamps

Continue reading → Weekly Roundup - Bottom-Feeders and the Banking Industry

Prosper updates the portfolio plan templates regularly in order to reflect changing risk and interest rate conditions in the marketplace.  It is important that you update your portfolio plans, as these updates include changes to bidding rates based on the most recent loss rate projections.
If plans are not updated regularly, there is a good chance [...]

• Plans, Blueprints Guides Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Heart Rate Monitors Monitors Pedometers Gym, Workout Yoga Exercise Fitness

Continue reading → Why Portfolio Plans should be regularly updated and reviewed

Our global financial system is in the grips of a full blown crash – clearly now the worst since the Great Depression. Just when we think things are stabilizing, a new shock dwarfs all that came before. It’s safe now to say that the old normal will likely never return. This wasn’t caused by just [...]

• Grips Clubmaking Products Golf

• Full Runs Comics Collectibles

Continue reading → Message from Chris Larsen, Prosper Co-Founder and CEO

We have completed the programming and testing on the routine to apply collection account refunds to lenders impacted by the change of accounts from PennCro to AmSher. We are planning to do the initial run of the program on September 22, 2008.  The refunds will include interest on the overage. The logic was developed in such a [...]

• Initial D Japanese, Anime Animation Art, Characters Collectibles

• Pool Chemicals Testing Pools Spas Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → Collection Refunds Update

Ever since we changed the marketplace performance page from listing old loans as “Defaulted” to calling them “Charge-offs”, and then promising more changes inside lender accounts, we’ve had a lot of questions. Let me try to explain why we’re making this change, how it will look if you’re a lender, and what you can expect [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Charge-offs Explained

Prosper roundup gets switched around! Easy to read categories are going to be our new way of organizing the roundup.
Categories may change from week to week, but overall the feel of the roundup will be the same. 
Business Loans:
• SFGate posts an article this last Sunday on how right now it’s a hard time to get new [...]

• Deals Sunday River Maine Skiing Vacation

• Lamp Posts Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → Prosper Weekly Roundup

Last September, I took out a $10,000 home improvement loan on Prosper, to fix a leaky patio that I inherited when I bought my apartment. It was a known repair, and the leak wasn’t particularly bad, but I knew that it should be patched soon. With my annual property tax bill taking up all my [...]

• Annual Reports Paper Railroadiana, Trains Transportation Collectibles

• Home Security Home Improvement

Continue reading → I paid off my loan

Believe that preparing for your family’s financial future is little more than setting up your new baby’s college savings plan? Think again. Parenting comes with a whole host of new expenses and considerations, each rife with potential conflict. If you are expecting a child, therefore, use this time to talk with your partner about the [...]

• A Simple Plan A Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Mother and Child Statues, Figures Christianity Religions, Spirituality Collectibles

Continue reading → The Top Five Pre-Baby Money Matters to Discuss with Your Partner Now

Welcome to another roundup here at Prosper. School is in session for many, hurricane season has started, and summer is nearly over with autumn creeping in to take its place. How are you improving your personal finance?
Investing Intelligently blogs a debunking post to “why index investing may not be for you”. Which opinion do you [...]

• Summer Olympics Autographs-Original Sports Collectibles

• Post-1950 Beds Furniture Antiques

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup

In my first blog post last week I talked about how I often share the learnings of successful lenders, as well as the teachings of the marketplace results. My job at Prosper is to show lenders how to use Prosper and its various bidding tools.  Here are a couple of other learnings to consider.
I (and [...]

• Post-1950 Beds Furniture Antiques

• Post-1950 Bookcases Furniture Antiques

Continue reading → There is always another listing

Keep your eye on the horizon looks like another storm or two is brewing. Be prepared and stay safe as hurricanes are blowing. Well they’re not listed at hurricanes right now, they’re still tropical storms, but damage can still be severe. Check weather updates at www.weather.com.
 
It’s August and that means going to school. Brip Blap [...]

• Carolina Hurricanes Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

• Damage Treatments Hair Care Store

Continue reading → Gustav, Hanna, and Finance - Prosper Roundup

In this crazy, mixed up world it has become more and more apparent that the bottom line rules. Everywhere you turn, hidden fees are nickel and diming us to oblivion (and into the poor house). Certain businesses have created these fees like an art form, com-plete with the brush stroke of fine print. And of [...]

• Tee Times Green Fees Golf

• Art, Fine Art Topical Specialty Stamps

Continue reading → See Me, Fee Me

Kiplinger’s recently published an article about Prosper entitled “Risks and Rewards of Online Lending.” The article addresses the expectations Lenders should have with regard to interest rates.
“Lend to a borrower with bad credit and you can expect a higher interest rate. A borrower with a better credit history will get you a lower rate?”
Generally speaking, [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

• Heart Rate Monitors Monitors Pedometers Gym, Workout Yoga Exercise Fitness

Continue reading → Distinguishing between Interest and Return

Within the vast billing network of your various goods and services, fees are affecting everyone these days. Banks, credit cards, mobile phones and even your retirement fund, for example, can siphon funds from you without your oversight. Make it a resolution now to look for the following hidden fees and gain extra money in your [...]

• Tee Times Green Fees Golf

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Fee Falling

Starting a business is a daunting task – but for many it is a desire to follow a dream. To embrace risk…and the possibility of failure. It’s impressive how many people start businesses, follow their dreams and take those risks. And we see it everyday on Prosper – interesting stories about members’ business ideas.
As I glanced [...]

• Hydroponics Seed Starting Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Hydroponics Hydroponics Seed Starting Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → Starting your own Business

In October 2007, Prosper launched a Facebook application for our members. In April 2008, we then launched a new Facebook application which allows people to transfer funds to their Prosper lending account instantly. We provided this service because lenders wanted a more immediate ability to bid on loans they liked without having to wait for [...]

• Service Businesses Businesses for Sale Opportunities

• People Postcards Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Facebook Application Reaches 5,000 Users

Are you still toting that faux leather booklet around, filled with your Care Bear checks? The days of that payment method may be numbered. With more and more on-line services offering non-paper ways to pay, why do things the old fashioned way (not to mention irritating postage and the time to mail a bill)? .
It’s [...]

• Leather Handbags

• Leather Womens Shoes

Continue reading → The Checkbook, R.I.P.

The personal finance blogosphere was packed with great articles this week… Here are a few of our favorites…
GenX Finance details the Top 12 Money Mistakes Most People Make and special congratulations to GenX Finance for being named by PC Magazine to the Top 15 Websites for Managing (and Saving) Money
 
RateLadder updates 1 Month Late or [...]

• Investments Opportunities to Make Money

• Internet Businesses Websites Businesses for Sale Opportunities

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup

Greetings from Prosper! It has been a fast-moving three months since I had the opportunity to join the Prosper team to head up Business Development with Chris, John, Kirk and Catherine. Coming from a traditional banking and capital markets background, it has certainly been a change of focus, but I can’t pay enough compliments to [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Kirk Flatware Sterling Silver Antiques

Continue reading → Greetings From Business Development

Many people have a policy about money-they say that they will never lend money to friends or family.  This is because there can be a lot of hassles and aggravations involved in dealing with getting the money back.  Of course, this isn’t usually the situation with small amounts, like $5 or $10, but when it [...]

• Family Guy Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles

• Friends of the Feather Enesco Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

Continue reading → Borrowing from Family or Friends for Weddings

But now it’s back to feeling like a regular, 9 year old car…

• Current Year, Next Year Calendars Paper Collectibles

• Sailboats 20-27 feet Sailboats Boats

Continue reading → My Car Felt Special for 5,280 Feet

A few week ago Cathrine Muriel Prosper CMO announced Prosper TV commercials (Prosper TV Spots) and a new slogan: Let’s bank on each other™.
NetBanker covered the story (Prosper Kicks Off Nationwide Lending with New Slogan and TV/Radio Advertising):
From a branding perspective, I think they are extremely effective, doing a good job communicating the benefits to both borrowers [...]

• Bank of Canada Canada North, Central America Paper Money World Coins Paper Money

• Toy Story Pixar Collectibles Contemporary 1968-Now Disneyana Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — Let’s Bank on Each Other™ Edition

It doesn’t seem that long ago that our CEO Chris Larsen made the announcement at Prosper Days 2007 that Customer Support was coming in house to SF. It’s definitely been a challenging but fun 18 months for our department. We are a close knit team that strives hard to provide the best customer service to [...]

• Service Businesses Businesses for Sale Opportunities

• Forest Service Government Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → Greetings from Customer Service

A couple of weekends ago, I a good friend of mine invited me out on his boat. It was beautiful day, around 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We headed on up to McCovey Cove to sit outside the San Francisco Giants stadium and enjoy the day. There’s also the small chance [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Celebrate Earth Day Everyday”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/22/celebrate-earth-day-everyday/” });

• San Francisco Giants Baseball-MLB Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

• Bobbleheads San Francisco Giants Baseball-MLB Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

Continue reading → Celebrate Earth Day Everyday

In observance of Earth Day, Prosper surveyed US consumers last week to better understand their financial attitudes towards implementing eco-friendly home improvements.
The main finding is that although consumers have a strong desire to implement energy-saving home improvements, they are deterred by the high costs of these projects:

91% care about conserving natural resources
While 60% of survey [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “It Ain’t Easy Going Green”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/22/it-aint-easy-going-green/” });

• Tee Times Green Fees Golf

• Green Day G Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

Continue reading → It Ain’t Easy Going Green

The following is a guest post by a Prosper member: CreditKarma…  You can use the Prosper Performance tool to estimate default risk for Prosper loans.
When I was a marketing and risk analyst with a credit card issuer, the customer’s credit score never really mattered per se. My concern was always with the default risk for [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Is Default Risk Better than Credit Scores?”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/17/is-default-risk-better-than-credit-scores/” });

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

• Marketing Businesses for Sale Opportunities

Continue reading → Is Default Risk Better than Credit Scores?

The weekend for college basketball is upon us.  Personally, I cannot get enough college basketball and this weekend is no exception…  I mean, there are only 3 men’s games and 3 women’s games Saturday through Tuesday.  Is that enough?    When the games are for all the marbles then 6 is enough….
Enjoy the games, but first [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Prosper Roundup — Final Four Edition”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/05/prosper-roundup-final-four-edition/” });

• Guides, Recipes, Games Barware Collectibles

• Puzzles, Games Coca-Cola Soda Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — Final Four Edition

This is a guest post by Prosper member poppadollars.
A lot has been written about identity theft the last few years. Many people are concerned, and rightly so, that someone will hijack their good name and credit and abuse it. Typically, someone will discover the problem after some time has elapsed and problems have mounted to [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “7 Steps to Identity Protection”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/03/7-steps-to-identity-protection/” });

• Identity Crisis Superhero Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → 7 Steps to Identity Protection

March madness is in full swing.  How are your brackets?  Mine you ask?  Let’s just say I had Georgetown winning in one and Duke in another.  Translation: I was out of my office pool VERY early.  Hopefully you are fairing better.
Here are some of our favorite posts from around the blogosphere…
Prosperous Land discusses More On [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Prosper Roundup — March Madness Edition”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/03/30/prosper-roundup-march-madness-edition/” });

• Land Real Estate Opportunities

• Swing Trainers Training Aids Golf

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — March Madness Edition

Guest Post from Living off Dividends. 
I have a blog called living off dividends where I discuss, among other things, my passion for investing and generating income that can be used to replace one’s salary. I have numerous different types of investments like rental properties, stocks, canadian income funds, CDs, foreign currency ETFs as well as [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Why I Love Prosper.com”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/03/25/why-i-love-prospercom/” });

• Tokens Love Exonumia Coins Paper Money

• Love Hina Japanese, Anime Animation Art, Characters Collectibles

Continue reading → Why I Love Prosper.com

This is guest post by Prosper member ChrisFS
Just as credit seems to have tightened for many Americans, The Financial Times reports that microcredit pioneer Grameen Bank has opened their first US office in New York city.
According to FT, Grameen banks lent $50,000 to groups of immigrant women in Queens in the last month. The bank, [...]

• Bank of Canada Canada North, Central America Paper Money World Coins Paper Money

• New York City New York US State, Town Views Postcards Collectibles

Continue reading → Grameen Bank Opens Branch in US

Prosper is excited to add a new collection agency AmSher.  For people wishing to switch to this new collection agency be sure to update your default collection agency, standing orders, and portfolio plans that you are using.
AmSher is a family business. The firm started in 1939 as a credit-clothing store, later expanded into the credit furniture [...]

• Family Guy Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — AmSher is a New Collection Agency Edition

This week the Prosper Blog got a Google Page Rank for the first time (PR5).
brip blap is hosting the the The Carnival of Peer-to-Peer Lending: 2nd edition
The Prosper Blog was happy to participate with Maximize the Chance of Funding Your Listing with Not-So-Obvious Tips. 
Here are a few of our favorite articles from the carnival:

Hey Prosper [...]

• Circus, Carnival Historical Memorabilia Collectibles

• Circus Art Circus, Carnival Historical Memorabilia Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — Prosper Blog Gets a Page Rank Edition

Prosper is an egalitarian marketplace. Allen Iverson is epitome of success in our egalitarian society. Success in the Prosper marketplace requires the same skills as Allen Iverson employs in life and on the basketball court.
Allen Iverson is an undersized guard from a underprivileged upbringing. Yet he has reached the pinnacle of personal accomplishment within his [...]

• Allen Hex Wrenches Wrenches Hand Tools Tools Home Improvement

• Pinnacle New Golf Balls Golf

Continue reading → Only the Strong Survive

The Prosper Blog is pleased and honored to have won the 2007 Performancing Readers Choice Award for “Best use of a Corporate Blog.”  Other excellent blogs in our division — Southwest Airline’s Official Blog (Runner-up Reader’s Choice), Matt Cutts/GoogleGuy (Editor’s Choice), Dreamhost (Runner-up Editor’s Choice), Zillow Blog, and Garmin Blog.    
LoanChimp wrote a 2 part series on Why Prosper is [...]

• Byers Choice Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

• Southwest Airlines Aviation Transportation Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — Reader’s Choice Best Use of Corporate Blog Edition

The Prosper Blog (First post date 11/1/2007 and a launch date of 12/5/2007) has been has been nominated for a 2007 Performancing Reader’s Choice Award for Best Use of a Corporate Blog. We are honored. Please vote early and often.
LazyMan hosted the Carnival of Peer-To-Peer Lending #1.  We were proud to be part of the carnival thanks [...]

• Circus, Carnival Historical Memorabilia Collectibles

• Circus Art Circus, Carnival Historical Memorabilia Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup — Prosper Blog Nominated For An Annual Award(?) Edition

2 Evening Guest Posts by Prosper Members…
Faith in Fellow Humans?
By Kesselschlacht
I came to Prosper after reading an article about this strange concept of borrowing from and lending to people … not banks. After a little more research I decided to jump into it feet first with a whopping $50.00 to be lent to anyone who [...]

• Evening Bags Handbags

• Evening Womens Shoes

Continue reading → Faith in Fellow Humans — My Thoughts On Prosper

(sung to the music of “Away in a Manger”)

I Lent to a Stranger
- a Lender carol -

I lent to a stranger
Believed what he said
I read the loan title,
“In over my Head”

If stars would align
This is what they’d say
“You’d need a miracle
To get him to pay.”

The rabble are rousing
With this point to make
The lenders are lending
Some borr’wers just take

I love thee, dear platform,
Look down from

• Platform Womens Shoes

• Alfred Sung Men Discount Fragrances Store

Continue reading → I Lent to a Stranger

We woke this morning to roughly 10 inches (or 25 cm for the metric folks) of snow. It’s deeper in some areas and not-so-deep in others because of the wind, which makes it feel extra cold.

I’m lucky enough to have a snowblower from a former neighbor that moved to Florida. (I convinced them they wouldn’t need it in Florida) I still shovel if there isn’t much snow, but with 10 inches on the ground,

• Hot Cold Water Dispensers Kitchen Plumbing Fixtures Home Improvement

• Sleds Snow Tubes Winter Sports