30
« on: June 13, 2015, 11:00:00 PM »
This is my first post -- I've just signed up with Lending Club and transferred one of my IRA's there. I think it's fantastic, and I have lurked through this forum as I've learned and gotten myself started. Thanks for all the useful information!
Wanted to kick off a debate on ethics on a particular topic, loans for medical expenses.
First, I want to say that I think P2P lending in general is a fantastic thing, and that overall I feel very good about participating, both in terms of it being a good way to diversify some of my investments into a new asset category, and secondly in terms of it being a valuable and excellent service. I generally feel happy that at some level I'm helping people sort out their lives - many people who move to get a debt consolidation loan are doing the right thing, taking their situation seriously, and working to improve their lives. From an ethical perspective I feel happy to be part of it, I see it as a big win-win.
Where I become a little troubled is when I see someone taking out a loan at a high interest rate to pay a medical expense. We aren't told who is behind these loans, we only see some statistics about their credit profile. But some of these stories must be heartbreaking: people in crisis, facing an illness they cannot afford to treat, seeking a loan in order to pay for treatment for themselves or for their children.
How do you feel about funding these sorts of loans, and what in your opinion is the most ethical position to take:
a) Pure business transaction, ignore the ethics - somebody will fund these may as well be me!
b) Always fund medical loans, be more permissive - lend a hand!
c) Never fund medical loans, exclude them with filters - don't take advantage of people!
d) ?
Currently I have taken the position of always funding medical loans. Since I have tended to invest in higher yield / higher risk loans, this means I have gone back into the 'A' and 'B' category and funded some medical loans that I otherwise wouldn't have. However, my wife said I am a "blood sucker" and "vampire" for taking advantage of people by lending to medical loans in the 'F' and 'G' categories with very high interest rates.
What are your thoughts?