maneo launches Japan's first social lending service

maneo Inc. today announced the launch of its social lending service in Japan. maneo operates Japan’s first social lending marketplace for people to borrow and lend money through an auction system. More than twenty social lending services exist overseas. Social lending is becoming an increasingly attractive financing alternative compared to more traditional sources of capital like banks and consumer finance companies.

■Addressing the needs of real people
People sometimes find themselves a little short of cash at certain special points in their life, for example when they get married, have children or move homes. Up until now, financing for such life events was only available from banks and consumer finance companies. Now maneo offers Japanese consumers a new alternative to address such special needs. maneo's social lending marketplace features social networking service functionality plus an online loan auction platform to enable borrowers to meet lenders who can lend them a helping hand to realize their dreams.

■How to use maneo's social lending service
After intially registering as a member with maneo, borrowers and lenders can utilize maneo's social networking service. Registered members can easily and effectively communicate with other members utilizing “mane blog,” “maneo message,” and “mane tomo.”
maneo_ie1.gif

■Creating an auction
People who want to borrow on maneo create loan listings explaining how much they desire, why they want to borrow and the maximum interest rate they are willing to pay lenders. Potential lenders select the loan listings they are interested in and bid on these loans. maneo connects borrowers with lenders through an auction process in which the lender willing to provide the lowest interest rate “wins” the borrower's loan.

■Member requirements
Members must be between 20-65 years old and reside in Japan.

■Borrower requirements
Borrowers must be between 20-60 years old and have annual income of at least 3 million yen. Borrowers must also successfully pass maneo's credit check and submit the following documentation: proof of identity and annual income.

■Lender requirements
Lenders must be between 20-65 years old. Lenders must also successfully pass maneo's review process and submit proof of identity.

maneo Inc.
maneo Inc. was incorporated in April 2007 and operates Japan's first online marketplace for people to borrow and lend money through an auction system. maneo is about helping people lend money to and borrow money from each other, sidestepping the expense and inconvenience of traditional banks and consumer finance companies. People who want to borrow money register with maneo and create loan listings. Potential lenders register with maneo and bid on the loan listings they are interested in. maneo aggregates the bids with the lowest rates to fund the relevent loans and handles all of the administrative matters relating to the loans. For more information about maneo, visit http://www.maneo.jp
Money Lending Registration: Governor of Tokyo (1) No. 30795
Japan Financial Services Association: Membership No. 001935

maneo market Inc.
maneo market Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of maneo Inc. and was established to manage the relationship with lenders.
Kanto Financial Bureau - Type II Financial Instruments Firm Registration No. 2011

maneo escrow Inc.
maneo escrow Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of maneo Inc. and was established in order to hold deposits from lenders separately from the funds of maneo Inc.

Contact:

maneo Inc.
Tel: +81- 3-3580-1231
e-mail: wakasugi@maneo.jp
URL: http://www.maneo.jp

October 15, 2008 | News