Bondora Go and Grow Review: Still Worth Investing? (Consider This!)

Bondora Go and Grow has been one of the most popular investment products among P2P loan investors since 2018.

With Go & Grow, investors have the opportunity to finance the loan portfolio of the Bondora lending operations, in exchange for a fixed annual interest rate of 6.75% and daily availability of their funds.

In this Bondora Go & Grow review, you will find a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of my Bondora Go & Grow experience in the past years and why I have stopped investing some time ago.

In addition to the origin story, taxation and functionalitiies of Go and Grow, the analysis will focus in particular on the risks that are involved when choosing Go and Grow.

Please make sure to do your own due diligence before investing on any platform. More information can be found in the Disclaimer.

Further analyses of other platforms can be found on my P2P Platform Review page.


Bondora Overview

Before we get started, here is a quick summary with the most important information about Bondora.

Founded:2008
Legal Name:Bondora Capital OÜ (LINK)
Headquarter:Tallinn, Estonia
Regulated:No 
CEO:Pärtel Tomberg (December 2007)
Community Voting:3.42 out of 5 | See Voting
Assets Under Management:Not Disclosed
Number of Investors:226.000+ (November 2024)
Expected Return:6.75%
Primary Loan Type:Consumer Loans
Collateral:No
Bonus:5 Euro

About Bondora Go and Grow

Bondora-Review-Logo

Go and Grow is an investment product of the Estonian P2P lending platform Bondora. The platform is one of the oldest and most established P2P platforms in Europe, with a history dating back to 2008.

With the launch of Go and Grow in 2018, the P2P platform has set a new standard in the P2P market. With Go and Grow, investors have the opportunity to directly finance the loan portfolio of the P2P lending platform. In exchange, investors receive an annual return of 6.75%, with interest credited daily and immediate liquidity of their own funds.

The Origin Story

The first investors were able to test Bondora Go and Grow back in April 2018. The offocial product launch for all P2P investors happened in June 2018.

At the time, Bondora offered three other investment options in addition to Go and Grow: The two portfolio builder products (Portfolio Pro and Portfolio Manager) and the API. All products had different levels of management control, diversification and returns.

bondora-go-and-grow-review-investment

With the launch of Go and Grow, Bondora has not only expanded its own product portfolio in a meaningful way, but has also established a product in the P2P lending environment for the first time that promises a predetermined return – with high diversification and maximum liquidity at the same time. A combination that had never existed before.

Until then, investors who wanted to access their money quickly either had to invest in short-term consumer loans (which Bondora does not offer) or sell the loans on the secondary market (which can become expensive).

Thanks to its high liquidity (daily availability), broad diversification (100,000+ borrowers) and ease of use, Bondora has created a unique selling point with Go and Grow, which couldn’t be matched by adaptations from competitors (Mintos Invest & Access or Crowdestor Flex).


How Does Bondora Go and Grow Work?

The functionality and operation of Bondora Go & Grow is fairly simple. The following steps need to be followed to get started:

Sign Up and Deposit

To invest via Bondora Go and Grow, investors need to open up an account on the website of the Estonian P2P lending platform first. Only two requirements need to be met:

  • A minimum age of 18 years
  • A residency in the European Union, Norway or Switzerland

Once all the required information have been provided and the account has been opened, money can be sent to the Bondora wallet via SEPA transfer using the “Deposit” tab. The money can then later be transferred to the Go and Grow account. Depending on the bank, the transfer can take up to two or three working days.

Alternatively, you can create a Go and Grow account on Bondora first and then transfer the money directly to the investment product.

To do this, select the “Create a new Go & Grow account” setting in the Go and Grow menu and then enter the primary reason for use (e.g. retirement, major purchase or additional income). Transfers can then be made directly to the Go and Grow account.

Bondora Go & Grow Bonus

If you want to try Bondora Go and Grow, you will receive a 5 euros investment bonus to your account when you register via my partner link.

Settings

Investing with Bondora Go and Grow is fairly passive and easy to understand. However, some adjustments can be made. For example by by setting up automatic transfers to your Go and Grow account.

This means that as soon as money has accumulated in your wallet, it is transferred directly to Go and Grow and invested there. This can occur in the following scenarios:

  • In case of repayments from P2P loans through Portfolio Pro or Portfolio Manager
  • Affiliate recommendations
  • Normal transfers

Currently, funds are only invested up to the monthly deposit limit, which is currently EUR 1,000. Anything above can only be invested via Go and Grow Unlimited, which only pays an annual interest rate of 4%.

Go & Grow Limit

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Review-2024-Limit-Deposit

In September 2020, Bondora introduced a monthly limit on deposits for Go & Grow. The introduction of the deposit limit was a response to the high volatility in deposits and withdrawals following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Due to the monthly Go & Grow limit, it now takes significantly longer for investors to build up a larger investment amount. As a result, the artificial shortage not only creates a greater appreciation of the product, but also gives Bondora a better planning horizon for balancing (loan) supply and (investor) demand.

The monthly limit was last set at EUR 1,000. This Go & Grow limit represents the sixth adjustment since the original introduction. On 9 September 2024 though, Bondora announced a temporary suspension of the deposit limit, which will remain in place until at least 2 January 2025.

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Review-2024-Limit-Deposit

Withdrawals

While there is a monthly limit for deposits on Bondora Go and Grow, withdrawals can be made immediately and in full. There are no withdrawal restrictions as such.

However, this is also dependent on certain market situations. During the peak of the Corona crisis, between March 2020 and June 2020, Bondora had to temporarily introduce partial payouts due to a larger number of payout requests.

If money is withdrawn from Bondora Go and Grow, the Estonian P2P platform charges a flat withdrawal fee of EUR 1.

Fees

Bondora Go and Grow offers investors many advantages. But are there any hidden costs? No, there are not. Currently, investors do not have to pay any costs or fees for managing their Go and Grow account. Only a fee of EUR 1 per withdrawal is charged.

Is the Return of 6,75% guaranteed?

There is no guarantee for the advertised return of 6.75%. Interest rates can change at any time and be adjusted to market conditions. This applies in both directions.

If the loan portfolio continues to perform poorly, the return could as well be reduced. But an increase, for example due to rising inflation, is also imaginable. In a live Q&A session organised by Bondora, CEO Pärtel Tomberg said the following:

“In case of consistent and long-term inflation [..] then interest rates on credit agreements to consumers will also be impacted. So in return, Go & Grow is able to sort of get to a new equilibrium to pay out higher returns”

Bondora Go & Grow Calculator

Below the “Go & Grow” tab, you can open the “Forecast” page in the settings. There you can play around with how your investment would change depending on the starting amount, monthly deposit and investment horizon.

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Review-Calculator

Assuming you start today with EUR 1,000 and invest EUR 200 every month, the value of the P2P portfolio would already be EUR 102,365 after 20 years.

Bondora Go and Grow Forum

The P2P lending industry is a fast-moving environment. Hence, make sure to stay on top of all relevant information by subscribing to my channels on Telegram or WhatsApp. This way, you will always receive the latest information from the P2P industry, including platform news regarding Bondora Go & Grow. 


Bondora Go & Grow Risk

If you want to invest via Bondora Go & Grow, you should be prepared for the risks of the investment product. But what are these risks? And how can they be assessed?

Platform-Risk

Bondora is an enterprise, which is therefore also subject to certain market risks. However, the platform is currently in a very good financial position. Bondora has been profitable for several years and the company’s balance sheet looks very clean.

Bondora-Review-Profitability

Return-Risk

Bondora advertises Go & Grow with a 6.75% return. In order for this to be paid out to investors on a sustainable basis, this return must also be generated by the P2P loan portfolio. Otherwise, the system behind Go & Grow will sooner or later collapse.

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Review-Return-Risk

The general statistics show that Bondora has certain difficulties when it comes to the performance of the loan portfolio. In addition, my request for a transparent presentation of the Go & Grow loan portfolio was clearly rejected.

This leaves important questions about transparency and returns unanswered. A risk that investors should keep a close eye on.

Bondora-Review-Transparency

In addition, the launch of Bondora Go & Grow Unlimited has also contributed to the debate around the loan portfolio performance.

Liquidity-Risk

Investors should also keep an eye on the liquidity risk. Due to an increased demand for payouts in the first half of 2020, Bondora had to temporarily introduce payout restrictions. Because the reserves of the Go & Grow loan portfolio were not big enough to guarantee daily liquidity, partial payouts had to be temporarily introduced between March 2020 and June 2020.

Investors should be aware of the Go & Grow risk that daily liquidity can only be guaranteed in certain market phases.


Bondora Go & Grow Taxes

How is the income from Bondora Go & Grow taxed? There are different opinions and experiences among P2P investors on this popular and frequently asked question.

In general, income generated through P2P loans must be taxed as interest income. 

With Bondora Go & Grow, the situation is somewhat different. The platform itself writes:

You only pay tax on the money you withdraw which is over the total amount you have paid in. For example, if you invest €1,000 then anything you withdraw up to €1,000 is considered as a principal withdrawal, anything above €1,000 is considered as interest.

Go & Grow Tax Report

To illustrate the topic, here is an extract from my Bondora Go & Grow tax report, which you can download in the settings under the “Go & Grow tax report” tab.

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Review-Taxes

According to the tax report, I deposited a total of EUR 4,600 at Bondora Go & Grow in 2021, but did not withdraw any money or realise any profits.

However, you have to decide for yourself whether this tax-optimised model is right for you. Please note that I am not a tax advisor and therefore cannot give you a recommendation.


Advantages and Disadvantages

In this section, I have listed what I consider to be the most important advantages and disadvantages of Bondora Go & Grow.

Advantages

  • Realiability: The advertised return promise of 6.75% p.a. has always been fulfilled to date.
  • Daily Crediting: Interest is added on a daily basis.
  • High Liquidity: Daily availability of the invested capital.
  • Broad Diversification: The Go & Grow loan pool consists of 100,000+ borrowers.
  • Simple Management: The investment can be managed with just a few clicks.
  • Reputation: Bondora is one of the largest, most experienced and most popular P2P platforms in Europe.
  • Financial Stability: Bondora has been profitable for many years already.
  • No Management Fees: There are no expenses for managing the Go& Grow investment.
  • Tax Optimisation: Taxes are only due when money gets withdrawn.

Disadvantages

  • No Deposit Protection: An investment with Bondora is not a free lunch. Capital losses can occur at any time.
  • No Guaranteed Interest Rate: The interest rate of 6.75% can be adjusted at any time.
  • Transparency: Bondora Go & Grow is a black box with regards to the performance of the loans.
  • Withdrawal Fee: A fee of EUR 1 is charged per withdrawal.

Bondora Go and Grow Alternatives

In the past, there have been repeated attempts to establish a Bondora Go & Grow alternative in the market. Be it through Mintos Invest & Access or Crowdestor Flex. However, experience shows that there is no comparable product that delivers as solidly as Bondora Go & Grow.

The most similar Go & Grow alternative is currently Monefit SmartSaver, a product from Creditstar Group. This product also advertises availability of up to a max. of 10 days, with an interest rate of 7.25%. 

Another alternative is Esketit, where investors can get high liquidity thanks to an early cashout option, in addition to the short-term loans.


What about Go & Grow Unlimited?

Bondora-Go-and-Grow-Unlimited-Review

On 6 April 2022, Bondora announced the launch of “Go & Grow Unlimited”. This product will work in a similar way to the classic Go & Grow, but with two significant changes:

  • No monthly deposit limit
  • The return is 4% p.a.

The product was tested for a few weeks with selected investors before being made available to all investors.

However, feedback from the P2P lending community has been very cautious. More than 97% of all investors have stated that they will not use Go & Grow Unlimited.

In particular, the interest rate of just 2% was a no-go for many investors. Bondora then raised the interest rate to 4%.


Summary Bondora Go and Grow Review 2024

I started using Bondora Go & Grow since its launch in April 2018 and can therefore look back on many years of experiences. My expectations have been met for a large part of this period. The advertised returns have always been achieved and, with a few exceptions, the daily liquidity has also been maintained without reservation.

By using Bondora Go & Grow, I have been able to earn more than EUR 4,700 in interest to date. The product is easy to understand, delivers reliably and is therefore ideal for investors who want to park their money short term at a slightly more attractive interest rate.

However, you should bear in mind the associated risks in terms of transparency, returns and liquidity, which were pointed out in detail in my Go & Grow review.

In addition, the interest rate of just 6.75% for P2P loans is at the lower end of the scale, especially in the current interest rate and market environment. For investors who are looking for a similar P2P alternatives and who do not want to have a monthly deposit limit, it is recommended to switch to alternatives such as Monefit SmartSaver or Esketit.


FAQ Bondora Go & Grow Review

✅ What is Bondora Go & Grow?

Bondora Go & Grow is an investment product launched by the Estonian P2P platform Bondora, which offers investors a return of 6.75%. Interest is added daily and the money can be withdrawn at any time.

✅ How does Bondora Go & Grow work?

With Bondora Go & Grow, investors invest in a broadly diversified loan portfolio with 100,000+ loans. To do so, investors must first register on Bondora and then deposit money into their Bondora account. From there, the money can be transferred directly to the Go & Grow account. The earnings, which lead to an annual return of 6.75%, are credited to the account from day one.

✅ Is Bondora Go & Grow safe?

In four years since its launch, Go & Grow has always guaranteed a return of 6.75%. However, there are of course certain risks associated with this investment, which may lead to a loss of capital.

✅ Whey is there a deposit limit?

Bondora had to deal with strong volatility in supply and demand during 2020. In order to better balance these factors, a monthly deposit limit was introduced.

Hi, ich bin Denny! Seit Januar 2019 schreibe ich auf diesem Blog über meine Erfahrungen beim Investieren in P2P Kredite. Meine Analysen sollen Investoren dabei helfen reflektierte und gut informierte Anlageentscheidungen treffen zu können. Dafür schaue ich mir die Risikoprofile der einzelnen P2P Plattformen an, hinterfrage deren Entwicklungen und teile meine persönlichen Einschätzungen mit meiner Community. Mein Bestseller "Geldanlage P2P Kredite" gilt in Fachkreisen als das beste deutschsprachige Finanzbuch zum gleichnamigen Thema.

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