How Google and Facebook Could Become Financial Services Giants

By David Hanson, Matt Koppenheffer, and Tyler Riggs – Mar 10, 2014 at 8:00AM

NASDAQ: GOOGL

Alphabet

Market Cap

$1,916B

Today's Change

(-1.23%) -$1.92

Current Price

$154.09

Price as of April 19, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET

Will peer-to-peer lending grab the attention of Google, Facebook, and other social media giants?

Peer-to-peer lending, crowd-funding, and other online financial services are becoming increasing relevant -- could Facebook (META -4.13%), Google (GOOGL -1.23%), and social media giants of the world become financial industry leaders?

Lending Club, which has already received an investment from Google, and Prosper are the two largest online platforms for peer-to-peer lending. Both companies earn fees from both borrowers and investors during the lending process. Given the size of the networks at Facebook and Google, these companies could have the large user bases needed to test financial initiatives.

In the following video, Motley Fool analysts David Hanson, Tyler Riggs, and Matt Koppenheffer debate the future of peer-to-peer lending, the risks involved with investing in these loans, and the chances social media companies enter the space.

David Hanson owns shares of Facebook. Matt Koppenheffer has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tyler Riggs has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Facebook and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Facebook and Google. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.