Prosper.com is simply not sustainable at the moment

[Urbi_et_Orbi]

All graphs taken from Ericscc.com on 01/20/10

Color Codes for the first two graphs:
Blue: All Members
Green: Borrowers
Red: Lenders

Membership Growth


Prosper is attracting new registrants, but most don't actually do anything with the platform.  Some growth in borrowers, but the pool of lenders is largely flat.

Types of Members Joining

Again, we see a breakdown suggesting that Prosper has a problem attracting lenders and loan funding capital to the platform.

Listing Volume

The number of new listings created remain at a small fraction of the volume on the platform pre-shutdown.  With tens of thousands of registered members reachable by Prosper with the click of a button, it is perhaps surprising to note the small number of listings and the lack of growth.  In fact, it appears that the number of new listings is on a small decline.

Bidding Volume

This graph tracks back to the re-opening of Prosper (P3.0) with the red line indicating a 14 day moving average.  Bidding activity on the platform has been remarkably flat and even showing a pattern of decline.  This is a far cry from what Prosper's investors need to see.

Once Prosper is able to get lenders to try the platform, Prosper is unable to provide a user experience that incentivizes the lender to remain an active participant on the platform and/or willing to consider re-investing any profits (if applicable).

[112233]

prosper's membership count. yeah, it's like including the guys buried in the cemetary when you count your population.

[Xenon481]

Nominating to The Lobby.

[Mtnchick]

Nominating to The Lobby.

2nd.

[The_Cat]

3rd

[brianguy]

no lenders?   well, time to be slashing prices.   get craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy!

[Urbi_et_Orbi]

Another month of disappointing originations:

Prosper 3.0

2009

Jul: $55,550
Aug: $905,311
Sep: $1,222,378
Oct: $2,011,723
Nov: $2,465,519
Dec: $2,225,815

2010

Jan: $1,953,398

Edited to add in the November numbers (which actually makes the current down-turn look even worse).

[brianguy]

I forget, was November shutdown month?

[ira01]

Another month of disappointing originations:

Prosper 3.0

2009

Jul: $55,550
Aug: $905,311
Sep: $1,222,378
Oct: $2,011,723
Dec: $2,225,815

2010

Jan: $1,953,398

That has to be very disappointing, to say the least -- down over 20% from December, and even down from October.  I think Prosper is circling the drain.

[NewHorizon]

Prosper is attracting new registrants, but most don't actually do anything with the platform.

While that may be technically true, I suspect it's also true that many of those who are neither borrowers nor lenders were active as "friends" of borrowers.  Especially during Prosper v1.0.

[yankeefan]

I forget, was November shutdown month?

That will be March.

[JammingJAY]

I forget, was November shutdown month?

That will be March.

 

[Urbi_et_Orbi]

I forget, was November shutdown month?

oops, I skipped over November.  I will add back in.

[Urbi_et_Orbi]

This can't be right...

Prosper only originated 2 loans today, for a grand total of $3,500?!

http://www.prosper.com/invest/performance.aspx?af=0&esba=63&gm=0&gr=0%2c1%2c2%2c3%2c4%2c5&hw=0&iba=255&ibid=0&ihide=0&iwatch=0&lc=0%2c1%2c2%2c3%2c4%2c5%2c6%2c7&lq=&maxAmt=100000&maxDTI=1000000&maxFund=1&maxGrpTLC=1000000&minA=0&minAA=0&minAmt=0&minB=0&minC=0&minD=0&minDTI=0&minE=0&minFund=0&minGrpTLC=0&minHR=0&minNC=0&occ=&od=02%2f01%2f2010&oer=02%2f01%2f2010&osr=02%2f01%2f2010&pbt=0&plcsd=&plp=0&pmr=0&sf=10&sh=0&sn=&tg=0

[Fred93]

This can't be right...
Prosper only originated 2 loans today, for a grand total of $3,500?!

You did Feb 1 to Feb 1, when you meant Feb 1 to Feb 28.