Peer-to-peer lenders like Zopa, Funding Circle and RateSetter are catching on because of the interest rates on offer.
(Just bear in mind, always, that there's no deposit protection as you get with banks.)
But Chris Shearlock from the Co-op has reminded me that the peer-to-peer model is also working to support people who are starting businesses in the developing world.
Lend With Care has managed to make 25,000 loans in its first year, helping entrepreneurs in Africa, East Asia and Eastern Europe with small loans.
You're not going to be taking part in this to make profits, but you can hope to get your money back while creating livelihoods and jobs.
There are others providing micro-loans, a fantastic charity near me, for instance, called Microloan Foundation, but the Lend With Care idea connects lenders directly with borrowers.
Please tell me about other comparable organisations which are doing this - it's worth giving them some publicity.
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