The Social Lender is a direct lending, lending crowdfunding and P2P lending platform which aims to support the growth and development of SMEs and startups through the collection of capital deriving from private, professional and non-professional investors, but also from institutional investors.

Cassandra Gnatta, Marketing Manager of The Social Lender, reveals that its team is working to finalize a partnership agreement with a traditional banking institution of a territorial nature. “We aim to be included in their traditional banking services offer – she explains – The Social Lender would propose a diversification of risk and investment for their retail customers but also the possibility of accessing non-traditional credit for their businesses. The partnership with a recognized and well-structured traditional financial player would help this Fintech startup to support its growth at national level and from the research and developmental point of view.

So far, the greatest difficulty encountered by The Social Lender in the fintech sector has been the barrier to entry raised by Incumbents towards startups like ours, also at a communication level. Gnatta explains that “it was also difficult to just get to sit down together to discuss common issues despite our intention to collaborate and create a win win project to improve the competitive advantage of all involved”

One day The Social Lender would like to be able to be listed on some international stock exchanges, especially in Europe, “but not now”. Gnatta confirms their presence at “Forum Banca”, in September: “we will take part in a round table in the Fintech Smart Village”. Perhaps they will also participate in the “Fee Only Summit” in Verona in October.

In this phase of growth, for The Social Lender “being part of the Fintech district means “to be part of a community dedicated to a sector with enormous growth opportunities and recognized both nationally and especially at European level. We are happy to be part of an innovative community that fosters a constructive exchange between the different players of the sector to obtain both operational and economic benefits”.

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