1737 replies to this topic

[Ledney]

And like a true politician Tom has still told us nothing!  Just apologised for not telling us.

[zopa_tom]

Crikey - being accused of acting like a politician - a personal low point for me in my time at Zopa!

There isn't really much to tell about the Synaptics partnership, above what was in the news clipping - but if you're interested, here is the press release we sent out:

"Zopa and Synaptic Systems are delighted to announce the launch of a partnership that will make the benefits of Zopa lending far more accessible to IFA clients looking for a better return than cash deposits, but without subjecting themselves to significantly more risk in the stock market.

Since launch in April 2005, Zopa has provided lenders with an average gross return of 6.8% - far in excess of the very best rates paid by cash deposit accounts, but at only marginally more risk (the Zopa bad debt rate has been less than 0.05%). In some higher risk higher return Zopa markets, returns to lenders have been as high as 14%.

The partnership will provide IFAs and their clients with easy access to the benefits of lending at Zopa. Commissions from 0.2% and up will be paid to IFAs by Zopa for the introduction of this business.  Synaptic will also deliver a proven point-of-sale analysis tool to help IFAs show their clients how beneficial it could be to consider Zopa in addition to their existing portfolio of deposit-based savings accounts.

Synaptic will initially work with Zopa to market the new offer to more than 10,000 Synaptic IFA customers. The marketing effort will be extended to the remainder of IFAs over the next two months."


So essentially we're opening Zopa up to more individuals via their IFAs, which  should lead to more lenders on the market meaning we'll be able to service more borrower requests and everyone will get their money matched quicker.

[opazit]

There...

That wasn't so hard, was it...

Thanx, and may I suggest that in the future such items are posted in the EMAILS section of this forum, if not sent out.  Some zopa members do care about what happens at zopa, and prefer hearing first-hand.

opazit

[Ledney]

Thanks and sorry for calling you a politician a really low blow.

[zopa_tom]

Ledney, on Sep 26 2006, 12:23 PM, said:

Thanks and sorry for calling you a politician a really low blow.

No probs Ledney - I didn't take it personally!

[nicktaylor]

It's an interesting point. If someone like Fidelity or a high-street bank were to do this sort of deal, I doubt it would appear anywhere, though if it did it would be on a Press page somewhere. They wouldn't tell all of their myriad of investors.

Clearly Zopa is trying to engender the community spirit, but they don't have to ask (or even tell) us first before doing something. It's a nice thing to do, so I'm sure Tom's within his rights to be a politcian if he wants to be

It would be good though to set up a Press page, complete with RSS feed as suggested, so we all know what the company's up to in promoting Zopa.

[zopa_tom]

Funny you should mention that Nick - only the other day we were discussing the idea of launching a 'desktop Dave' with live RSS feed.

What do you reckon?

[adilowes]

Sounds a good idea.
You may even get the press keeping an eye on it for historical stories that can be re released.
Also saves us having to look out for info in the press and as was mentioned earlier that we know what publicity is out there.
Even though we are not shareholders I see zopa as the old building society idea. We are all partners in it in one way or another.

[chancer]

according to the emails section of the board, only one email has been sent out in the last month.  hardly saturation.

[nicktaylor]

I like the idea of a news page with RSS much more than posting things in here, or sending emails to members. It would scale well as Zopa grew bigger... One day you might be putting out news every day from various parts of the massive Zopa empire!

'Desktop Dave' though... Hmm...

0900 - Dave arrives to office
0930 - Dave sits at desk after 30 minutes supping coffee
etc.

It'd be an interesting news feed  

[zopa_tom]

In the place of an RSS feed, here are a few things that happened last night:

- We won the CNet Internet Innovation of the Year award, beating off competition from Skype, the BBC and others. (For thems that don't know, CNet is a UK publisher of about 10 “trade magazine” titles in the IT area eg. cnet.co.uk; Silicon.com; zdnet.co.uk.)

- The Daily Express was printed. There was a nice big article about Zopa in it, saying it was great for borrowers. Can't find a link just yet, but I'll try and dig one out.

[nicktaylor]

Congratulations! I just went looking on the Express site, and it's really, really bad... I think most newspapers make bad websites so you don't bother looking and go out and buy the real paper.

Zopa's award is mentioned on Silicon.com at http://management.si...39162783,00.htm, as part of a wider piece (the same piece is on most of the CNet sites, I think).

Here's to more awards...

[Demosthenes]

sounds impressive, congratulations Zopoids

[adilowes]

Well done,
It is only what is deserved.
Side by side with household names as it should be

[m1chaels]

I have a friend who is an ifa and we tend to share commission when I come to him with my investment requirement.  I wonder what commision zopa is offering to the ifas as this may be a better route for me to increase my investment...

[elljay]

"0.2% and up" according to this post.

[adilowes]

I think the recent publicity has certainly kicked in. I am noticing my money going from available to processing within 24 hours of making an offer and all my offers are up near the top end of the zopa.

Lets keep the good publicity going. well done zopa team.

[m1chaels]

elljay, on Sep 29 2006, 12:45 PM, said:

"0.2% and up" according to this post.

Thanks - should have read the post properly rather than just skimming it - I wonder if you just need to deposit funds or if they need to be let out, and what 'and up' means...nice to potentially get a bit of the commision back as I decided not to go for founder member status

[Deddington]

Who the guy on the left then ?

Teddie Cowell (right) from Neutralize presenting the award to category winners Zopa.

[Deddington]

A recent mention in Motley Fool.

Click here