November 4, 2015,

European alternative finance platforms comparison

Bondora Go & Grow

Editorial team

Alternative finance investors have seen the number of European platforms grow exponentially in the past few years. From what began as a small niche disrupting the traditional banking sector, there is now an argument that alternative finance should be considered a new asset class in itself. Understanding the differences between alternative finance platforms in such a fragmented market can be a challenge, making for a difficult choice for investors.

To decide if the platform aligns with their personal risk profile, investors need to be able to paint a picture of the platform’s customer. Factors that matter include maximum available loans, and whether the platform engages in consumer or business lending. The quality and transparency of borrower and risk detail available varies from platform to platform. Bondora offers investors details of historic default rates and loan purposes allow for richer analysis.

For potential investors the size of platform including market share and loan origination details are important – but the legislative framework under which the platform operates should also be scrutinized. The UK FCA is recognized as the gold standard in tailored legislation, whereas some other jurisdictions allow alternative finance platforms to operate under exemptions rather than direct rule-sets.

Finally, investors need to know who is entitled to become either a borrower or a lender. Each platform imposes their own rules – while some such as auxmoney operate only in one geographical area, others like Bondora offer global access to investors after an accreditation process.

In this infographic we review and compare key facts about the major alternative finance platforms operating in Europe today.

European alternative finance platforms comparison Bondora

Bondora Go & Grow

Editorial team

At Go & Grow, our Editorial Team combines years of fintech experience with a passion for financial education. We’re here to share trustworthy insights, platform updates, and easy-to-understand investment tips for everyone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is Bondora regulated?
Bondora Capital’s business model is unique, with no direct precedents in the market. As such, there is currently no specific regulatory license that directly applies to our Go & Grow product. However, we work proactively with regulators across the EU to ensure full compliance with all applicable local laws and regulatory frameworks.

To support this, we regularly publish financial updates, audited annual reports, and disclosures, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and investor trust.

At the same time, Bondora Capital is subject to all relevant general regulations, including (but not limited to) the Estonian Consumer Protection Act, the Law of Obligations Act, the Commercial Code, the Accounting Act, the Competition Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Additionally, Bondora AS, a member of the Bondora Group, operates as a Licensed Credit Provider under the supervision of the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority. In Finland, we operate through a licensed branch regulated by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority. We also hold an operating license in Latvia, supervised by Latvijas Banka, and have recently received regulatory approvals to operate in both Denmark and Lithuania.
Are Bondora AS's loans secured?
Bondora issues unsecured loans, meaning credit customers are not required to provide collateral. This approach allows us to offer a faster, simpler, and more accessible lending experience.

Risk is mitigated through multiple layers of protection. Our underwriting process is powered by predictive, data-driven models, trained on deep datasets collected over 17 years. Each borrower is carefully evaluated using a wide range of creditworthiness indicators before any loan is issued.

With Go & Grow, your investment is automatically diversified across hundreds of thousands of loans in multiple countries. This significantly reduces individual borrower risk and adds a layer of protection against regional or geopolitical events.

In the rare event of non-payment, we follow a structured recovery process, working with professional debt collection agencies and, when needed, escalating cases through local legal channels to pursue repayment.
What happens when a borrower doesn't repay?
At Bondora, we do a lot to prevent repayment issues before they happen. Our advanced data models carefully assess each borrower’s creditworthiness, using historical data and predictive analytics to minimize the likelihood of default from the start.

If a payment is delayed, we act quickly but thoughtfully. From the first day of the delay, we reach out to the customer via email, SMS, and automated calls to remind them of their delayed payment and offer flexible options to get back on track. The aim is to find a solution together, whether that means a new payment date or a short-term adjustment.

If the situation doesn’t resolve, we may involve our internal teams or trusted partners to continue the dialogue and explore further options. In some cases, if communication is unsuccessful, the matter may be escalated to the local legal system in line with standard procedures. Legal steps are always a last resort, and the goal is to find the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

Throughout this process, our focus remains on recovering outstanding amounts responsibly and respectfully while protecting investors’ interests.

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What are temporary partial payouts?
Under normal conditions, your Go & Grow withdrawal is paid in full with a single transaction near-instantly. However, in rare and extraordinary circumstances, partial payouts may be activated temporarily. This means your withdrawal will be split into smaller, daily payments until the full amount has been delivered. Only one €1 withdrawal fee applies once you’ve received the full amount.

This protective feature was built into Go & Grow from the start to help maintain stability and safeguard investor returns, so you can stay on track and stay earning, even when the world feels uncertain.

In Bondora’s 17-year history, partial payouts have only been activated once.

While we aim to keep Go & Grow fully liquid, this feature ensures that when conditions require it, your investments remain protected and continue to work for you.
What happens to my investments if Bondora goes bankrupt?
Your money is protected. Even in the highly unlikely event that Bondora Capital becomes insolvent, your investments remain yours. Investors legally own the loan claims, not Bondora Capital.

This means Bondora’s financial situation does not affect the legal ownership of those claims—they continue to belong to the investors. The claims are not part of Bondora’s bankruptcy estate.

Risks related to Bondora as a company are separate from the risks associated with your investment portfolio. Simply put, if Bondora disappears, your investment doesn’t.