A new peer-to-peer finance firm has been licensed to operate by the Financial Markets Authority.
Peer-to-peer lending platforms put the source of the money directly in touch with the borrowers, resulting in cheaper borrowing costs.
Online-based Lending Crowd is the fourth such lender to be licensed and it is targeting small to medium-sized firms with loans of up to $200,000.
Managing director Wayne Croad said it aimed to tap into vehicle finance and personal loans as well.
"People can go online and apply for the finance and have the money sitting in their account very quickly - they don't have to visit branches," he said.
Mr Croad said it would open for business - in the online sphere - later in the year.
