Welcome to our Lendermarket Stars blog series! Here, we share inspiring conversations with real investors, dedicated members of the Lendermarket team, and industry enthusiasts who are shaping the future of investing.
Today, we’re delighted to introduce Laurent, an experienced investor from France. Laurent began incorporating P2P lending into his investment strategy in 2022 and has already achieved his goals—now focusing on maximising the value of his invested principal. Join us as we explore Laurent’s investment approach, his objectives, and what he would do differently if he had the chance to start his journey anew!
My name is Laurent, I am 40 years old, I live with my partner, and we have two young boys, aged 3 and 6. I have been working in a metallurgy factory on rotating shifts for 17 years.
For 15 years, I have systematically placed all my bonuses (quarterly, profit-sharing) into an employee savings plan (PEE), which is locked for five years and supplemented by my employer. These bonuses were invested in various funds, with different levels of risk, dependent on stock markets. I had chosen the riskiest fund and just let it grow. I reside in France, and for 15 years, I invested passively through my PEE without paying much attention to it, except for occasional discussions with colleagues. However, everything changed with COVID-19 in 2020 and the stock market crash, which, in turn, caused my PEE capital gains to drop.
I plan to increase my P2P allocation as my PEE funds become available and limit further losses in the stock market. I use Mintos as a liquidity reserve, allowing me to withdraw funds when needed. It also helps me take advantage of Lendermarket’s regular promotional campaigns, which last at least two or three weeks, giving me time to naturally transfer available funds from Mintos to Lendermarket.
I invest in high-yield P2P loans (Lendermarket at 17-18%, Mintos at 15.5%) to repay my personal loan. I need at least a 14% return for the P2P interest to cover my bank loan (which I took over 10 years to minimize monthly payments). I prefer medium-term loans (minimum 700 days) to ensure a stable and long-lasting income. I avoid geographic areas close to Russia (Poland, Estonia), possibly to my disadvantage, as the Estonian loans at 18% for 1,400 days are quite tempting.
Lendermarket is the only platform that has not lowered its yields over the past two years—on the contrary, it has increased them.
My brief experience in the stock market helped me better understand the risk/reward ratio and the concept of compound interest (inspired by Warren Buffett and Total Energies stocks).
For me, P2P lending is an excellent balance between risk and reward—much less risky than the stock market but far more rewarding than traditional savings accounts (Livret A, PEL) available in France.
I started investing to secure my financial situation and be able to absorb unexpected expenses (car breakdown, dishwasher, fridge, loan repayments, rent, etc.). Over time, my goals changed.
Now, I aim to reduce my working hours at the factory while maintaining my current standard of living by using the monthly interest earned. My long-term goal is financial independence. My objectives evolved from short-term security to medium-term comfort. I am currently in this stage, but my goals will likely continue to change.
My biggest achievement so far is consistently reinvesting my interest earnings. I carefully manage my bank accounts using the Japanese “Kakeibo” budgeting method, especially since taking out my personal loan. I have successfully maintained this strategy for two years, proving that spending wisely is just as important as saving.
In two words: Compound Interest. By reinvesting interest at around 14% per year, my initial investment doubles in
five years. You can find compound interest calculators as mobile apps. Patience is key. Many investors want quick profits, but that’s just luck. True wealth building requires time and strategy.
I use Lendermarket’s promotional campaigns to reward myself, especially since I love restoring old motorcycles.
I would avoid the stock market – it is inherently unpredictable. 80% of stock market investors lose money, and the remaining 20% do not necessarily become rich, considering the time and stress involved. I would have been more cautious with my employee savings plan (PEE). I would have started investing much earlier, even with small amounts. For example, €85 at 14% annual interest can generate €1 per month. No need to invest large sums immediately to see the benefits.
I discovered Lendermarket through Sylvère’s blog “Investisseur Nomade.” The key advantages of Lendermarket:
P2P lending offers a better risk/reward ratio than the stock market.
I compare P2P lending to a bank loan. Instead of borrowing from a bank, people borrow from us (investors) through
Lendermarket.
I always suggest trying it with a small amount first.
Diversify your investment portfolio with peer-to-peer lending. Invest in Buyback guaranteed loans with up to 18% return. Start investing with as little as €10.
Disclaimer. The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Always consult a professional before making investment decisions. Investments carry risks, including loss of principal. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on this content.