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Success with Alternative Investments Platform

With interest rates still, pitiably low, there's little wonder that savers are looking for new, low-risk ways to make their money work. Taking those first few steps away from the safety of the stagnating bank account and into the more vibrant realm of speculation can be scary for the DIY investor, so unless you're a secret thrill-seeker searching for a little jeopardy to get your kicks, it's important to find an investment medium that can deliver comfortable returns without also delivering a daily heart attack. If that sounds like you, then the Alternative Investments Platform could be the answer.

If you're not already familiar with the concept, alternative investment is the process by which borrowers who are unable (or unwilling) to gain funds through traditional banking methods – such as new business startups, or individuals without property or capital to use as security – have their lending needs to be fulfilled via crowdsourcing. Individual investors can select which loan propositions best suit their criteria, and then fulfill as much or as little of the loan request. In return, they receive a proportional amount of the borrower's monthly repayments until the loan and the stated interest rate are paid in full, leaving all parties happy.

Momentum

Alternative Investment Platforms Momentum

Alternative investments began as a neat solution to the straitened banking systems following the financial crisis. With new legislation preventing banks from issuing loans to a vast number of potential borrowers, people were left to search for alternative financing means. At the same time, savers were experiencing catastrophic interest rates – just 0.25% from 2009 to November 2017 – meaning that everyone from retirees used to living off their interest, to young families saving for a mortgage, could do nothing more than watch their savings dwindle as inflation and the cost of living crept higher and higher.

Alternative investment platforms provided a perfect solution, allowing borrowers to access the cash they desperately needed, without having to turn to the exorbitant interest rates of payday lenders. At the same time, investors experienced gains that no bank could hope to compete with. This mutually beneficial relationship between borrowers and investors made alternative investment platforms such an instantly successful model and has seen the market grow and grow. From a base of nothing in 2011, it is estimated that the global alternative investments market will be worth US$1 trillion by 2025. Most experts are now positing that the market will continue to grow and grow, meaning that there will be no return to the banking systems' financial autocracy before the 2009 crash. No wonder so many people are becoming involved.

Beginning

How to Start Using an Alternative Investment Platform?

With alternative investment platforms providing such a stable market, it makes the ideal base to begin an investment portfolio. It's quick, it's easy, and because you can do everything yourself – no need for brokers, or even much knowledge beyond plain common sense – there are no hidden fees to eat into your return.

To begin, you need to create an account with an alternative investment platform such as FAST INVEST, deposit your funds, and then look through the list of available loans before selecting where to put your money. The process is that simple. Of course, it does come with some risks, but if you research the platform and choose your investments wisely, you can quickly mitigate those risks to the point of inconsequentiality. That's the real key to success, but how do you even start to find the door?

Diversification

The Importance of Diversification

While, when it comes to any form of investing, there is no fail-safe formula, there are steps that you can take to first, protect your assets, and second, to increase your chances of a worthwhile return. Some of these steps can be applied in broad brushstrokes to all forms of investments; others are more specific to the Alternative Investment Platform.

The number one rule is diversification. It's the investment technique when the risk is reduced by spreading the investments across a range of multiple financial instruments, industries, sectors, and similar. Even though you might be familiar with this concept, it's easy to be tempted to put all the savings into one investment which might seem 100% safe and very profitable. However, in reality, there is no such thing as 100% guaranteed investment, therefore you should always keep this rule in mind and apply it in practice.

One option for your diversified investment portfolio could be FAST INVEST Alternative Investment Platform. Let us show you why.

High ROI up to 18%

Look for High ROI

Let's be honest, the initial incentive for choosing an alternative investment platform is high ROI. That's why it's a default feature of FAST INVEST - we understand the expectations of investors. Take a look at our loans with up to 18% interest rate in our Loan List or check out discounted loans in our Secondary Market.

Financial Concierge

The Power of Personalization in Financial Services

Nowadays everyone has quite high standards of how they would like to be treated as customers, investors, or even as humans. That's why the expectations are very straight-forward: everyone expects to get a personalized offering and a tailor-made solution from their financial services.

This is the way we perceive our investors at FAST INVEST. We understand everyone's individualized needs, therefore we are here to provide personalized offerings to best meet everyone's expectations.

Secure Investments

Aim for Secure Alternative Platforms

We want to assure you that FAST INVEST has a well-balanced business structure. The majority of loans listed in our loan list are installments. Installment is the type of credit issued at a defined amount for a set period. This is a reason why our loans are - low-risk types.

Besides, you can diversify your investments and spread your risk so thinly that your gains will entirely cover any potential losses, so you won't even notice that they've happened.

 

We still wouldn't tell you to put every last penny into it, only because it doesn't make good business sense to put all of your assets in one place. Diversification can spread your risk so thinly that if done correctly, any potential losses will be completely absorbed by your gains, so you won't even notice that they've happened unless you look into the paperwork in detail. So, if you're thinking of starting investing with 1000, split it between five different opportunities – whether five loans or a mixture of digital and fiat options – that way, if one fails, the other four will cushion the blow.

Net Return

Calculate Real ROI

Once you've settled on your investments, your focus needs to shift to your net return; this is how you will be able to ascertain whether your strategy is working. Because Alternative Investments is a slightly slow-burner (although most contracts are only 1-12 months) it's best to leave a short time before studying your returns; twelve to eighteen months is ideal, as this will give your original investment time to mature and complete, so you're able to take an overview of the entire cycle.

Carry out the following equation:

  • Take the current value of your assets and deduct the original value (or the value at the start of the time you're reviewing), then minus any fees incurred.
  • Divide this figure by the original value, then multiply that by 100%.
  • That will give you your basic rate of return. For your true net return, however, you will also need to deduct the rate of inflation for the investment period.

This equation will show you exactly what your investment has given you in real terms, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether this form of investment is working for you.

External Factors

Take Into Account External Factors

There are many external factors that will influence the above. Many of them will be entirely out of your control – such as the economy and the borrowers you're working with – but one of the biggest influencers is one that you can manipulate, the platform you are investing through.

Different alternative investment platforms charge different fees and offer different protections and different rates of interest, so it's important to look carefully before you place your money, as surface numbers are rarely what they seem – even a promised 20% ROI can be quickly eaten if the platform takes a 19% cut.

Final Thoughts

Weighing The Risks of Alternative Investing

Alternative investments are not inherently risk-free. Neither does it guarantee a high rate of return. As an investor, you have to play your part. It's down to you to research what's available; to look at the fees and securities that are on offer; to spread your investments to avoid having them be swallowed whole by an unsuccessful venture, and to utilize the tools available to you. If you do all of these things, you stand a perfect chance of making yourself a passive income that's really worth having. Give it time, reinvest your interest, make every cent work for you, and before too long, your original 1000 will have numerous new friends to play with.

The Art of Investment - FAST INVEST