Background of P2P Investors

[rawraw]

It seems that the backgrounds of the people are eclectic, but one thing that caught me off guard is there doesn't seem to be many with a background in finance.  It actually seems like more have backgrounds in computer science.  So I was curious, what is your background? 

I'm a finance undergraduate who works in the banking industry, with a focus on interest rate risk modeling and securities analysis.  I'm currently studying for the second level of the CFA certification -- and sadly, P2P isn't an asset class covered yet.

[Keltset]

I'm an accounting undergrad moving forward on a path to obtain my CPA. I have a very strong programming background as well which make's my field just so much more fun

[AmCap]

I work in the tax department of a large law firm. We do a lot of work with structured debt issuances and financial products. I wouldn't say I have a financial background per se, but I do have a background working with the tac aspects of these sorts of things. 

[brycemason]

I'm a full-time college administrator and adjunct professor in finance at a medium sized teaching university. In a former life, I was an analyst at the RAND corporation, where I earned my doctorate in policy analysis. I have a baccalaureate in mathematics (pure), and have enjoyed programming for 20 years.

[graceful]

I have my MBA and worked with turnaround candidates for years. I'm familiar with lending criteria used in the housing industry as I wrote software (back for Lotus 1-2-3 ver. 1A) to analyze home loan offerings and predict borrower qualifications.

I am a fundamental analyst rather than a technical analyst, after working at a Commodity Brokerage and watching the technicians miss market shifts that seem obvious to me. Now, I'm trying  not to miss the obvious for my own accounts.

graceful

[meggie01]

I'm a broadcasting student who makes a living writing and marketing online. I'm an investor and entrepreneur at heart though and I've been investing in one thing or another since I got my first paycheck at age 18.

[SarahV]

It actually seems like more have backgrounds in computer science.

I've noticed that in pretty much every web forum I visit on any topic, there is a relatively high percentage of "computer people" - programmers, web designers, IT workers, etc. I guess people who are comfortable with and like computers find ways to spend more time on them, like participating in forums. 

As for me... professionally I have nothing to do with finance (I work in publishing), but I've always been good with numbers and had an interest in finance and investing. I manage all my own money (401k, IRA, etc.) and do my own taxes. And I was that kid who would take their $40 in birthday money and put it in a savings account.   

[TcH]

WOW!  All of you are finance/business/accounting types.  I am an engineer by degree and a manager by profession with little or no accounting back ground except what I steal from others(aka learn).

[Wrats6]

Government auditor for 25 years and counting.   

[zpbsfg]

Government auditor for 25 years and counting.   

May be a dumb question....an IRS auditor?

[Peter]

Very interesting thread. My background is very unique. I have a computer science degree from the 1980's but I left that career in 1989 to join the family printing business. I have been a printing entrepreneur since then starting and selling a couple of different companies. Now, I run a blog about p2p lending  .

[TRPeterson]

I agree Peter, a very interesting topic to post on!  I'm generally IT, a certified project manager (PMP) for 10 years with my hands in various other areas such as 3D animation and small web development.  I do happen to work for a bank now, but that's just as of the last two years (but not in the money area, still in IT). 

[faeriering]

I'm a degreed mechanical engineer (maybe one day I'll take the 3 classes to finish my master's), but I work in the renewable fuels industry as a process engineer.  I love playing with money and seeing it grow.  It's interesting to see where everyone has come from.

[DanB]

I'm currently doing some research on a Portuguese language biography I intend to start writing next year.
I've lived & studied in various countries & have spent at least 3 months in pretty much every area of the world. I speak several languages fluently &  have a Masters in Political Science. I've done consulting work for the DOD as well as a couple of large foreign companies. I worked briefly as a broker for Merrill Lynch back in the 90's, but hated the "selling" & left. So, I started & for 17 years ran a small porn production company. Yes, it was a lot of crazy fun, no I didn't catch anything.

All of the above means that there is very little that I haven't seen, very little that surprises me & virtually nothing that can shock me.  It also means that I've got all kinds of stories I could share if "decorum" wasn't an issue. But alas................
From a p2p investor standpoint, it makes me allergic to BS, & generally skeptical of people. as I've met more "borrower types" than (I'm guessing)..............most of you guys combined. Not to mention that I've also been in their shoes as well!

[rawraw]

I'm currently doing some research on a Portuguese language biography I intend to start writing next year.
I've lived & studied in various countries & have spent at least 3 months in pretty much every area of the world. I speak several languages fluently &  have a Masters in Political Science. I've done consulting work for the DOD as well as a couple of large foreign companies. I worked briefly as a broker for Merrill Lynch back in the 90's, but hated the "selling" & left. So, I started & for 17 years ran a small porn production company. Yes, it was a lot of crazy fun, no I didn't catch anything.

All of the above means that there is very little that I haven't seen, very little that surprises me & virtually nothing that can shock me.  It also means that I've got all kinds of stories I could share if "decorum" wasn't an issue. But alas................
From a p2p investor standpoint, it makes me allergic to BS, & generally skeptical of people. as I've met more "borrower types" than (I'm guessing)..............most of you guys combined. Not to mention that I've also been in their shoes as well!

wow. . . didn't expect this kind of experience   You should share stories sometime lol