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What we look for in our borrowers

We're not the right lender for everyone. Our focus is on high quality borrowers who pass our creditworthy checks with flying colours. 

The data on this page is hot off the press, automatically updated every day from our P2P platform.


Team members' hands on top of each other

Our average borrower

They're pretty decent buggers. We inspect their credit history with a fine tooth comb and make sure they're up to a standard our investors are happy with. After all, since we're a peer to peer lender it's people's hard earned money they're borrowing.

Here’s an overview of our current approved borrower characteristics.
Male

53%
Female

47%
Average income

$51,153
Average age

42
Secured loans

50%
Own a home

53%

 Not necessarily used as security.
Location

Auckland
Average loan size

$136,283
Loan purpose

Purchase Motor Vehicle

Our borrower risk grades

Our approved borrowers are allocated a risk grade based on their strength across each of our credit criteria. The risk grade corresponds to the level of risk levy that applies to the loan and therefore determines the borrower’s overall interest rate.

Our A Grade borrowers

A Grade borrowers have the highest credit scores and a strong record of borrowing and repaying debt without missing repayments. They exhibit strong debt servicing capacity and are typically homeowners or have evidence of other assets.

Our B Grade borrowers

B Grade borrowers have high credit scores, solid credit histories and a record or repaying debt without missing repayments. They typically have a strong debt servicing capacity and are often homeowners or have evidence of other assets.

Our C Grade borrowers

C Grade borrowers have solid credit scores, sound credit histories and a record of meeting existing repayment obligations. They have solid debt servicing capacity and bank account conduct.

Our D Grade borrowers

D Grade borrowers have sound credit scores and debt servicing capacity but may have more limited credit information available or an isolated missed repayment obligation in the past.

Our E Grade borrowers

E grade borrowers have satisfactory credit scores and debt servicing capacity but may have more limited credit information available or have missed repayment obligations in the past.

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See why our clients love us

See for yourself what our clients think with 68 five star reviews on Shopper Approved.

Marlene

New Zealand

I'm loving the interest, that I'm earning on my funds. Questions are answered quickly. Squirrel is very efficient and I'm confident investing with a NZ owned company. I wish I had of invested a year ago. Marlene
M

Carole

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Didnt end up investing but i like the whole comcept of peer to peer lending and the fact your a nz company. Will be looking to come back in the future
C

Ajay

Auckland , New Zealand

Quick and effortless onboarding. Excellent transparency & timely communication. One of the best interest rates in the market with timely payments. Well done, Squirrel!
A

Sonal

Auckland , New Zealand

Fast & hassle free onboarding. Transparency, communication, and customer support have been excellent! One of the best interest rates in the country, don't know why I didn't join sooner. Highly recommended!
S

Sonal

Auckland , New Zealand

Fast & hassle free onbaording. Transparency, communication, and customer support have been excellent! One of the best interest rates in the country, don't know why I didn't join sooner. Highly recommended!
S

John A

Canterbury, New Zealand

Quick and easy to invest with an great online web interface and good returns. Now with high interest on the cash account as well.
JA

Ian C

Auckland, New Zealand

Always innovating, now we have the on call account earning 3.5%. Even on orders not yet allocated. Thankyou guys.
IC

Margaret

Waikato, New Zealand

I really like investing with Squirrel Money. I know my money is safe. There's no fees or terms, which I think is fantastic. And I've got total control of my investments. I can thoroughly recommend Squirrel Money.
M