
It also gives you an alternative “Esusu score” that you might be able to use to get credit while you continue to build your traditional credit score.

The company reports all on-time payments to the three major credit bureaus to build your credit score. Once you and the other members of your group agree to the terms, Esusu withdraws your repayment from your bank account five days before each due date. It charges a $10 fee each time you pay into the pool, which members of the group split among themselves - so a group of 10 would pay $1 each. Let’s take a look at how three lending circle companies work: EsusuĮsusu is an app that allows you to create a lending circle with friends and family on your phone. But you generally don’t need to meet any requirements at all if you create your own informal lending circle with friends and family. Some lending circles made for low-income communities might also have maximum income requirements. Less than 50% debt-to-income ratio. You might not be able to join if your monthly debt obligations are more than half of your monthly income.Steady income. You need to show that you regularly have income coming in and can afford the monthly cost.

You generally need to meet two requirements to join an online lending circle: But you can work your way up to larger pools once you’ve gained trust. With online lending circles, new members are typically limited to smaller loan amounts. Once everyone has borrowed from the pool, the cycle is over.


Informal lending circles have been around for centuries, but now some companies have taken that concept and adapted it so that it can also build your credit. These formal and informal lending circles allow you to access small-dollar, low-cost loans funded by the pot that you and other circle members contribute to. If you find yourself regularly relying on short-term loans, you might want to consider a lending circle instead.
