How Octopus Choice works

A closer look at how our peer-to-peer lending platform works.

What is Octopus Choice?

Octopus Choice combines peer-to-peer technology with secured lending. This allows investors to target a return from property-backed loans.

Money is pooled from different investors and used to finance loans selected by Octopus Real Estate. An investor then owns 'loan parts' that combine to give a personal rate. Octopus Real Estate is an experienced property lending specialist which has lent over £4 billion to landlords, property developers and property lenders since 2009.

It’s important to remember that peer-to-peer lending puts your capital at risk. The value of your investment and any income from it can go up or down. So, you may not get back the full amount invested. We also can’t guarantee instant access to your money.

Peer-to-peer investments are not covered by the Financial Services Scheme (FSCS).

How does it work?

Choose between General (gross interest) and IFISA (tax-free interest) accounts

Remember, your tax treatment is dependent on your individual circumstances and may change in the future

Choose how much to invest

Invest from just £10

We build your portfolio

We invest your money across a range of loans

Target great interest

The interest rate of each loan is blended to form an overall target rate of 4% a year gross

Accessing your investment

Octopus Choice has no fixed term and you can request a withdrawal at any time. It’s important to recognise, however, that we can’t guarantee instant access to your investment.

Your options

Reinvest your interest

Invest monthly

Create and transfer into IFISA

Reinvest interest

Automatically reinvest your interest each month into open loans.

Straight into your bank

If you’re looking for a regular income, you can choose to have it paid straight into your bank account each month.

Choose your amount

Select a debit card and which day of the month you'd like your payment to be taken.

You're in control

Skip individual months if you'd rather not invest at that time.

Invest using your annual ISA allowance

You can target interest from peer-to-peer investments using your annual ISA allowance.

Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future.

Transfer from an existing ISA

You can transfer your existing ISAs to an Octopus Choice IFISA. Remember, an IFISA likely has a higher risk level than your existing ISA. Find out more about the IFISA here.

Compare benefits and risks

Target rate of 4%

Variable interest of around 4% per year, paid monthly.

Your money is at risk

Your money is invested in property-backed loans. The value of your investment and any income from it, can fall or rise. We can't guarantee you’ll get all your capital back or earn all your interest.

Secured lending

All loans are secured against property, meaning they can be sold if a borrower defaults.

Property market exposure

If a property needs to be sold, the amount recovered could be affected by a downturn in the property market.

First Loss

The first 5% of every Octopus Choice loan is covered by First Loss, consisting of Octopus and an institutional investor. You'll get your money back before First Loss and earn your interest first too.

Instant access isn't guaranteed

Withdrawing means selling your investments to other investors. This means instant access isn’t guaranteed.

Lending track record

All loans are sourced by Octopus Real Estate, an experienced lender that's lent over £4 billion to landlords, property developers and property investors, since 2009.