MARKETPLACE LENDING

South Korea’s Hanwha Life Insurance has acquired a 4.1% stake in troubled peer-to-peer lending firm Lending Club. Read more: www.fintechroundup.com

Banking software provider Misys wants to offer their customers a P2P loan, a solution that nixes any need for banks to partner with or acquire an alternative lender. Read more: www.pymnts.com

SoFi, is preparing to launch in Australia to offer mortgages in direct competition with the banks. Read more: www.afr.com

This week in B2B venture funding activity, we see the trend change as an alternative lender from the U.S. secured the largest investment round of the week. Is this a fluke, or are things beginning to change? Read more: www.pymnts.com

Powered by technologies that harness big data, fintech companies are positioning themselves as viable lenders and payment solutions providers with mobile wallets and insta-loans. Read more: forbesindia.com

LendingCrowd is the UK’s second P2P platform and first P2P lender to SMEs to move from interim to full authorisation status. Read more: www.finextra.com

WeLab, a Hong Kong-based operator of online lending platforms, is proving investors still see big potential in the space, landing a $25m credit facility note. Read more: www.fintechroundup

Tech-driven mortgage bank Better Mortgage has picked up a $15m Series B financing round from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Goldman Sachs and Pine Brook. Read more: www.fintechroundup.com

As online lending experienced a challenging year in 2016, Crowdfund insider decided to Interview Zopa's CEO Jaidev Janardana, since they are the UK’s largest and oldest peer-to-peer lender, their voice is one that holds great weight for industry participants. Read more: www.crowdfundinsider.com

Supported by a 12% YOY growth in banks personal loans, cos like Rubique, CoinTribe, Paisabazaar and BankBazaar have grown their businesses. Read more: economictimes.indiatimes.com