Even though Viainvest is one of the most established P2P platforms, it’s also known for its sometimes significant IT problems. When they underwent regulation in 2022, they completely missed adapting their software, and they spent weeks dealing with corrections and updates.
Responsive design but no dedicated app. Functions well on most devices but some features are limited on smaller screens.
With Viainvest’s automatic Portfolio Builder, you can precisely specify the countries and interest rates you want to invest in. The following aspects are important in my view when configuring it:
To get access to the relevant data, Viainvest offers to download tax reports and income statements from the platform.
If a loan by the lender defaults, the buy-back guarantee is then triggered. In this case, the outstanding receivables are reimbursed by the lender, including accrued interest. If the lender has difficulties servicing those receivables, the VIA SMS parent company steps in.
“Returns have been as advertised (around 10%), but I’m concerned about the regulatory status. The platform works well on desktop but needs improvement on mobile. Customer service is excellent though – they responded to my inquiry in multiple languages and resolved my issue quickly.”
In the recent past, P2P platforms have had to overcome several crisis situations. These included the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. How did Viainvest deal with these situations?
The buyback guarantee sounds reassuring, but it does not automatically mean that your investment is safe. The guarantee is typically only applied if the borrower fails to repay and only for defaults over 60 days.
No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the following information, nor for any investment decisions that may be derived from it. For more details, see the full disclaimer.
Personal loans are an excellent investment with high interest rates – as long as they are repaid by the borrower as agreed. However, if this is not the case, things can quickly become uncomfortable! In general, there are three possible solutions in the P2P sector: The loan originator (in this case the ViaSMS Group) provides a buyback guarantee: if a borrower is in arrears with payment for an agreed number of days, the company buys out the debt and pays you back your money plus interest.
Our investment results depend on our own preferences in what we want to invest in. If we target only loans with a limited supply, we must also accept competition on the platform (we are not alone, and we are not first in the queue). If preferred loans are not enough bondora for everyone, AutoInvest can not invest either (AutoInvest as a tool works well, but if there are no loans under the chosen parameters, there is nothing AutoInvest can invest in).
The positive aspects of Viainvest are its long track record, the transparency applied in most areas, its financial stability and reliable repayments, which have enabled investors to achieve double-digit returns every year.
Investors who participate in P2P lending here generate their returns primarily through loans in the consumer sector. Borrowers directly take out loans from Via SMS Group, which are listed on the platform and in which we, as investors, can invest our money.
Due to regulation, Viainvest is obliged to regularly prepare audited annual financial statements. However, these have always been published even before regulation.