Research on P2P Online Lending Closures and Problematic Platforms in China: An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from Online Lending House

Abstract

Event risks of online lending platforms in China are drawing focus from investors. This paper indicates empirical data on P2P online lending closures and problematic lending platforms. Results indicate that in the period 2012-2016, the number of closed and problematic lending platforms in China rapidly increased, with the number problematic platforms increasing from 10 in 2012, to 1726 in 2016. The types of events encountered by problematic platforms in the same period -withdrawal difficulties, interference from economic investigation, closures and absconding – show differences in proportion at different points in time. In respect to the regional distribution of problematic platforms in the 2012-2016 period, the east China region generally accounts for the highest proportion, the central China region placing next while the west China region places last.