Consumer confidence fuels appetite for P2P

Quarterly investment volumes in major P2P platforms have seen significant variation since 2018. Aside from the obvious global crises, Robo.cash platform analysts have identified correlations with macroeconomic factors.

There is a certain impact on P2P investments from changes in the gross disposable income of European households. In 2019, European incomes were mostly stagnant with a moderate rate of 1% growth per quarter, but P2P investments grew much faster. "Prior to the pandemic, investors in Europe saw P2P platforms as a source of additional earnings to offset near-regressive incomes." - the analysts comment. 

With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the savings rate has shown significant increase, reaching 25% of disposable income. “People started saving more, which caused a decline in the P2P sector”. - the specialists add. From the second quarter of 2021, the savings rate started to decrease and P2P investments regained momentum.

The analysts also found a correlation between P2P volumes and the level of consumption. “In 2018-2019, personal consumption has grown, as well as P2P investments. With the onset of the pandemic crisis, people reduced their expenditures, which most likely affected the decrease in P2P investments as well”.