Kuflink AI Overview on 11/2025

Kuflink Platform Overview

Kuflink is a UK peer‑to‑peer lending platform (part of Kuflink Group PLC) that provides short-term property-backed loans to borrowers and offers investors returns of roughly 7–9%. Founded in 2011 as a bridging lender and relaunched P2P in 2017, Kuflink is FCA‑authorized (FCA reference 724890). Investors can start with modest stakes (≈£500–1,000) and may use tax wrappers (Innovative Finance ISAs, SIPPs). Key advantages include secured loans (first/second-charge on UK property), audited accounts and consistent profitability (platform profitable since 2020). However, ⚠️ risks are substantial: all capital is at risk (no FSCS protection), liquidity is limited (secondary-market sales not guaranteed) and defaults have risen (FCA-defined default ~16% of loans by late 2024). Kuflink itself no longer uses its own funds to cover losses as of Sept 2025, so investors must tolerate the full loss potential on bad loans.

Kuflink Investment Products

Kuflink offers secured property loans (bridging and development finance) with terms of 1–3 years. Loans are backed by UK real estate (first and second legal charges) and target interest rates up to ~9–9.8% gross p.a. (Select Invest) or 7–9.13% (Auto/Pool Invest). Investors choose individual loans (Select Invest) or auto‑diversify across deals (Auto‑Invest). A tax‑advantaged IFISA version is available (up to £20k/year). Figure: Example of a Kuflink-backed loan – each loan is secured on UK property. Kuflink co-invests ~5% in each deal (first-loss piece). Loans may pay interest monthly or compound annually (bullet repayment). Metrics: Minimum investment ≈£500 (Select)–£1,000 (Auto); typical LTV ~65%; maturities 1–3 years. Borrower fees include a ~2% arrangement fee and ~0.65% monthly interest. Major risks are borrower default and recovery delays: by late 2025 ~43% of the live loan book was in default/recovery. Delays, loan extensions and market downturns add risk. Kuflink’s public data warn that delays/defaults can lead to “full or partial loss” of capital (no guarantee of returns).

Kuflink Company & Management

Kuflink Group PLC is headquartered in Gravesend, UK, encompassing Kuflink Bridging Ltd (loan origination) and Kuflink Ltd (the P2P platform). Kuflink Bridging (FCA 723495) sources loans; Kuflink Ltd (FCA 724890) handles investor services and is an ISA manager since 2017. The company was founded by the Binning family and retains them in leadership roles: Harwinder and Rawinder Binning (original founders) now serve as Chief Compliance Officers. Narinder Khattoare has been CEO since Nov 2017 (former Borro executive). Senior team includes Nattalie Weeks (Head of Portfolio, ex-RBS) and Hiran Patel (Chief Risk Officer, ex-Loans2Go). Institutional partners include Morgan Lloyd (regulated SIPP provider for pension accounts). Kuflink is UK‑centric (no significant international lending); but it has sought institutional funding: in July 2023 it raised a £35 million revolving credit facility via European Risk Capital/Paragon Bank. This arrangement (initial 3‑year, renewable) supports growth beyond retail funds. Regulatory compliance: Kuflink markets that it is FCA‑authorized as an electronic lending platformeu- and publishes audited financials.

Kuflink Funding Volumes & Performance

Kuflink has grown steadily. As of 31 July 2025, the platform had originated over £435.5 million in loans (443.3 m by late 2025) and repaid ~£310.9 million in capital (328.3 m by late 2025). The active loan book at that time was ~£170.8 million gross (£164.5 m net). Cumulatively, Kuflink reports over 1,032,000 loan parts funded. It claims “investor losses to date: £0” on the platform (indicating it covered any shortfalls internally). Recent annual volumes were ~£78m in 2022, £70m in 2023 (as per company data). Investor count: several thousand (exact number undisclosed), reflecting >1,000 Trustpilot reviews. 4thWay data (Nov 2024) noted 805 loans since launch and £255.6 m repaid by mid‑2024. Reported default/overdue: as of July 2025 about 38.6% of net principal was >30 days overdue (~£66.4m). The FCA-defined default rate reached ~16% in 2024 (up from ~0% in 2022). Average investor returns have historically been in the high single digits; Kuflink advertises up to 9.13% p.a. (Select deals occasionally higher, 9.8% as per market data). Net platform profits have been rising: in 2022 Kuflink Group post‑tax profit was £729k (doubling prior year) and it forecasts ~£4.6m profit in 2024. The platform was profitable every month since Aug 2021.

Kuflink Risk Management Approach

Kuflink underwrites loans with first/second-charge security on property. It advertises a 5% “skin‑in‑the‑game” co-investment on each deal. Due diligence is internal: underwriting is done by Kuflink Bridging’s team (criteria like LTV, credit history, property type). Loans are risk‑graded (A/B/C) and monitored continuously; collections teams act quickly (formal recovery starts after ~30 days late). Recent practice (in 2023) shifted: Kuflink defined default as 1 day past due internally (vs FCA’s 180-day) to expedite recovery. The platform now pays no “interest top-ups” on late loans; instead 0.25% of default interest (out of 2%/mo late fee from borrower) is passed to investors. Sector/geography: focus is UK property loans (home, commercial, development, auction purchases) with typical LTV ~65%. There are no explicit exclusions by sector beyond that. Reporting: Kuflink provides investors with monthly statements; in 2025 it began publishing an FCA outcomes statement detailing recoveries and own‑fund loss cover (2024 cover ~£315k total). Credit enhancements: as of 25 Sep 2025 Kuflink announced it will no longer self‑insure losses, so investors bear the full default cost henceforth. In summary, Kuflink’s risk framework emphasizes collateral and active collection, but external analysis notes that a large share of loans have been in recovery (reflecting stressed property markets).

Kuflink Platform Features

The Kuflink platform (desktop and mobile apps) offers features like Auto-Invest (select term, diversify automatically) and Select-Invest (choose loans manually). A Secondary Market lets investors sell loan parts at prevailing prices, with a 1% seller fee (buyers pay no fee). Investor dashboards display portfolios, loan details and returns. The mobile app (iOS/Android) provides deal browsing, portfolio management and IFISA transfers. Languages/currency: platform is UK‑only (English, GBP). There are no third‑party insurance/guarantees for principal or interest. Kuflink offers some investor tools: loan datasheets describe project finance, and the platform provides monthly performance reports. Expert reviews (4thWay) rate the platform highly on many P2P criteria. There is no automated fallback fund (no provision fund); instead secured collateral and, until 2025, Kuflink’s capital cover were relied upon. Regulatory safety: client cash balances (wallet) are held under FCA client money rules (CASS7), but loan parts themselves are not FSCS‑protected.

Kuflink Fees and Pricing

Investor fees: Kuflink charges no upfront or ongoing management fees to lenders. Key investor costs are: a 1% arrangement fee on each secondary-market sale, and early-exit fees (if an investor requests liquidation before term: 2% of amount or £500, whichever higher, plus forfeit of accrued interest). Withdrawing uninvested funds is free for occasional requests, but if one repeatedly tops up and withdraws, a £5 or 1% fee may apply. ISA transfer-out fees were £35 but are currently set to £0 (at least through Oct 2024). No performance fees or entry charges. Borrower fees: Kuflink makes money via borrower charges – typically ~2% arrangement fee and ~0.65% monthly interest on bridging loans. Introducers receive 50% of borrower arrangement fees. Fees are transparently disclosed in loan documents. Pricing model: generally clear, with details in T&Cs and FAQs; however, some investors felt certain policies (e.g. interest top-ups) were opaque before recent changes. In sum, lending via Kuflink is low-cost for investors, but early exit or inactive money can incur small fees.

Negative Publicity about Kuflink

Kuflink has drawn scrutiny on investor forums and some media for loan delays and communication issues. An independent review (CrowdSquare, 2024) highlighted complaints: loans often go overdue (e.g. one development loan >2 years late with repeated extensions), and updates are seen as “opaque” or slow. Some retail investors criticized the platform’s decision to raise the minimum investment to £500, arguing it marginalizes small accounts. Recent policy changes (ending proprietary loss cover and changing default/interest rules) caused anxiety among lenders; however Kuflink pointed out that investor withdrawals due to these changes were from those uncomfortable with higher risk. No regulatory sanctions against Kuflink have been reported. One caution: claims of “£0 investor losses” have been questioned (they exclude recovered interest shortfalls). In general, red flags include high default rates (external analysis indicates roughly 40% of outstanding loans were in arrears by 2025) and thin secondary liquidity. Prospective investors should note that negative reviews often center on risk realisations rather than fraud.

Kuflink Success Stories & Milestones

Kuflink touts several milestones and accolades. Funding milestones include £100m lent by Dec 2020, £170m by April 2022, £225m by Oct 2022 and ~£305m by Jan 2024. The platform has won multiple industry awards: in 2022 CEO Narinder Khattoare was voted “P2P CEO of the Year” and Kuflink won “Investors’ Choice” at the Peer‑to‑Peer Finance Awards. In 2023 Kuflink became B Corp certified and won Best Alternative Funding Service at the Business Moneyfacts Awards. More recently, it was named by The Sunday Times as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work (small category, 2024) . Institutional partnerships include a £35m credit line with Paragon Bank (ERC) signed in July 2023. These developments underscore growth and recognition, though investors should still appraise project‑level risk.

Is Kuflink regulated and safe?

Yes – Kuflink Ltd is FCA-authorised (FRN 724890) as an electronic lending platform. However, it is not covered by FSCS, so capital is at risk. The loans are secured on property, which provides some protection, but not a guarantee of return.

What returns can I expect?

Target rates are ~7–9% gross annual interest. Actual returns depend on loan performance; some interest may be delayed if borrowers pay late. In defaults, investors still earn a small penalty interest (0.25%/month) on top of whatever has been paid.

What are the main risks?

Borrower default or late payment is the biggest risk – loans can be delayed or written off. Property security helps but recovery can be slow. Platform risk: if Kuflink (the company) fails or acts poorly, it could affect loan servicing. Liquidity risk: you cannot easily get capital back before loans mature. FX risk: none (GBP only). Overall: P2P lending is high-risk and not guaranteed.