P2P lending a VC choice in Europe

Paul Jozefak, Partner at NeuHaus in Germany, yesterday talked to ReadWriteWeb about the state of early-stage venture capital in Europe. His number one venture now? Peer to peer lending.

"Smava is in the peer-to-peer lending business...the credit crisis has been a big boost to these ventures. This business also seems like it will have national champions and not be consolidated by a few global players, because A) trust tends to require proximity; B) local regulation still matters; and C) it is such a massive opportunity that a venture that does well even in only one country could still be very big."

P2P lending is doing well with venture capital here in the US as well. Lending Club recently raised $12 million in second round funding.