A Look at the Origins of Online Lending

You might find yourself wondering about the origins of online lending, and how it has become the major industry that it has evolved into during recent years.

The origins of online lending have evolved from standard lending practices combined with the increased ease and convenience of using the internet for a variety of purposes.

Before you can really understand the origins of online lending, though, you need to take a few moments to understand the standard banking practices that it evolved from and how internet connectivity has helped lending to grow from banks and finance companies to online services that allow you to research and apply for loans in the convenience of your own home.

Lending before the internet

The origins of online lending begin before the word "online" had much of a meaning at all. Before the advent of the internet, and before the "personal computer" was even really conceived, personal banking and lending was much different than it is today.

Loan applications would take several days or weeks to be considered, and several banks in an area might share one or two loan officers who had to travel from bank to bank? meaning that there were only certain days on which you could apply for the loan that you desired.

Keeping track of loan payments could also be a hassle, and mistakes weren't uncommon and often resulted in either overpayment or late fees.

Computers improving communication between banks

Once personal computing became a reality, the origins of online lending truly begin. It didn't take long for banks to realize that these computers could be put to use making both banking and recordkeeping much easier? bank systems could connect via modem and telnet in order to share information, and the records of account holders and borrowers could be accessed much more quickly from a computer database.

Of course, early computing was quite simple by today's standards, and mistakes did happen? but the convenience of the computer systems and the gradual increase in their reliability often made up for the drawbacks and enabled banks to increase both productivity and the ease of the lending process.

Internet banking

Following the origins of online lending, simple networks such as those that banks and other businesses used to connect with each other eventually gave birth to the world wide web of the internet.

As websites for products and businesses became more common, banks slowly but surely began to advertise their services and features via some of these websites.

As internet technologies increased, many of these banks began offering rudimentary account access and other services via their websites so as to stay ahead of their competition? thus was born internet banking.

As technology continued to grow, so did the services offered by banks online; full account access, banking inquiries, and loan applications all developed as the ability to implement them was created.

Online lending

From the humble origins of online lending grew a huge worldwide industry. Lending companies developed that were completely separate from standard banks? with the lower overhead of operating a website when compared to that of running a bank, they are often able to offer competitive if not lower interest rates and can process loan applications and transfer funds faster than many standard banks and finance companies.

Of course, even with the current convenience of online lending services the future may hold additional conveniences and services as internet and computing technologies continue to develop and evolve? meaning that online lending will most likely continue to grow in popularity and will be able to offer more and more services to customers at competitive rates and reasonable terms.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:13:38 GMT

Hillary Clinton's Staff Looking to Avoid Embarrassing Anti-Obama ... - FOXNews


Times Online
Hillary Clinton's Staff Looking to Avoid Embarrassing Anti-Obama ...
FOXNews - 58 minutes ago
Hillary Clinton's staff is trying to avoid an embarrassing anti-Obama demonstration by her supporters during the floor vote at next week's Democratic convention in Denver.
Clinton Will Attend Fund-Raiser for Towns New York Times
Clinton for VP? She Says Ask the Obama Campaign ABC News
CNN Political Ticker - New York Times Blogs - Newsweek - U.S. News & World Report
all 546 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:15:16 GMT

UPDATE 1-Microsoft enlists Seinfeld for ad campaign--source - Reuters

UPDATE 1-Microsoft enlists Seinfeld for ad campaign--source
Reuters - 2 hours ago
By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will star in a $300 million marketing campaign for Microsoft Corp aimed at burnishing the image of its computer operating system, a person familiar with the effort said on Thursday ...
Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates to star in anti-Apple ads TG Daily
Seinfeld to be pitchman for Microsoft The Associated Press
Slashdot - Bizjournals.com - GameSHOUT - Ars Technica
all 474 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:27:28 GMT

GM to Invest $500 Million To Build Chevy Cruze - Wall Street Journal


Turkish Press
GM to Invest $500 Million To Build Chevy Cruze
Wall Street Journal - 3 hours ago
By KATHY SHWIFF General Motors Corp. will spend more than $500 million in the US to build the Chevrolet Cruze, a next-generation compact car.
GM announces $500M investment for small car The Associated Press
GM to invest $500 million in small car plant MarketWatch
Reuters - CNNMoney.com - CNET News - BloggingStocks
all 266 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:10:12 GMT

IAC Officially Breaks Up - Wall Street Journal


Los Angeles Times
IAC Officially Breaks Up
Wall Street Journal - 55 minutes ago
By DAVID BENOIT and KATHY SHWIFF IAC is left as a collection of more than 35 Internet companies -- including search engine Ask.com, dating site Match.
IAC: And Then There Were Five Forbes
Diller's IAC Split May Fail to Boost Investor Returns (Update2) Bloomberg
The Associated Press - MarketWatch - FOXBusiness - CNNMoney.com
all 280 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:17:40 GMT

Marlins let one slip away in San Francisco - Sports Network


The Associated Press
Marlins let one slip away in San Francisco
Sports Network - 39 minutes ago
San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg's wild pitch in bottom of the ninth inning scored Emmanuel Burriss to send San Francisco past Florida, 4-3, in the finale of a three-game series.
Giants walk off on Gregg's wild pitch MLB.com
Giants beat Marlins on wild pitch in 9th inning The Associated Press
San Jose Mercury News - Rotoworld.com - Akron Farm Report - Flamarlins.com
all 81 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:33:45 GMT

Microsoft's Photosynth wilts under pressure - Computerworld


Washington Post
Microsoft's Photosynth wilts under pressure
Computerworld - 44 minutes ago
By Gregg Keizer August 21, 2008 (Computerworld) Within hours of its launch, Microsoft Corp.'s new photo-stitching service went dark, overwhelmed by demand, the company said Thursday afternoon.
New Microsoft photo site spends first day offline The Associated Press
New Microsoft Tech Converts Photo Soup Into 3-D Image TechNewsWorld
InformationWeek - PC Magazine - TG Daily - Christian Science Monitor
all 323 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:28:59 GMT

My Super Sweet 16: The Miley Cyrus Edition - E! Online


E! Online
My Super Sweet 16: The Miley Cyrus Edition
E! Online - 3 hours ago
Miley Cyrus is about to show up all those spoiled brats on My Super Sweet 16 who think they're cool being flown to their party by helicopter or when they're carried in like a princess by a group of hot dudes.
Miley Cyrus to Celebrate Turning 16 at Disneyland People Magazine
Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 KFSN
Press-Enterprise - The Gossip Girls - United Press International - Best Syndication
all 87 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:21:48 GMT

RSS Software
Web Site Traffic


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Finding A Thin Credit Or No Credit Motorcycle Loan

It is no secret that thin or no credit can... Read More

What To Consider Before Applying For A Loan

Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More

About Personal Loans

What are personal loans? They are unsecured loans that a... Read More

A Guide to Finding Cheap Loans

Finding cheap loans isn't always easy? it seems like every... Read More

Business Loans from Family - A Good Idea?

Can I Ask my Family for a Loan to Pay... Read More

Fast Cash Payday Loans

If you need cash now there are several options available... Read More

Wedding Loans Because Wedding May Be Made In Heaven But They Are Certainly Not Made For Free

Wedding loans because wedding may be made in heaven but... Read More

What Is A Payment Protection Plan?

A Payment Protection Plan is an insurance cover you would... Read More

Why Student Loans are Better Than Credit Cards

You need some more money for college expenses this semester.... Read More

No Credit Check Personal Loans - If You Need Fast Cash, A PayDay Loan Online Is a Very Quick Process

Online payday loans can get you fast cash through a... Read More

Education Loans Can Augment The Boundaries Of What You Can Achieve

Education never ends ? it is not said without reason.... Read More

Secured Car Loan - if Car Signifies a Second Home to You

Cars ? they are your passion, necessity, luxury, earning member.... Read More

Payday Loans or Cash Advance Loans - Useful After a Bankruptcy

Payday loans, also known as cash advance, are a useful... Read More

So Many Loans, So Little Time

If you find yourself in need of poor credit loans,... Read More

Refinancing Your Auto Loan

Refinancing your loan is one of the best kept secrets... Read More

125% Equity Home Loans

If you are a homeowner in need of a home... Read More

Government Loans for Beginners

Government loans are those that the government of a country... Read More

Finding the Right Bad Credit Loan UK

If you live in the United Kingdom and find yourself... Read More

Business Loans: If You Know How To Make Good Use Of Money And Expertise

Are their rewards of being your own boss? Yes, in... Read More

Want a Cheaper Finance for Your Vehicle? Try Secured Automobile Loans

The usual modus operandi in most automobile purchases is as... Read More

A Guide to Finding an Adverse Credit Homeowner Loan

If you're searching for an adverse credit homeowner loan, you... Read More

Be Wary of Guaranteeing a Loan

You need to be wary of guaranteeing a loan. What... Read More

Military Loan and Military Loans

Military loans are made available to active servicemen and retirees... Read More

A Guide to Debt Consolidation Loans

Should you find yourself overcome by debt, you might want... Read More

Benefits of an Unsecured Loan

Listed below are some of the benefits of an unsecured... Read More