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Michael Sterling

Senior Investment Advisor & P2P Lending Expert at Smart Lending Hub

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Up to 16.5% Returns
Swiss Regulated
Secured Investments

Maclear Review

Last Updated:
11 min read
16.50 %
Max Returns
€50
Min Investment
5,100+
Active Investors

Quick Overview

Data and statistics last verified:

Platform Age

2023

Operational Launch

Loans Funded

€14.3M+

Total Volume

Active Investors

5,100+

Registered Users

Loan Projects

139

Funded to Date

  • Investment Focus

    Business loans to SMEs across multiple European countries including Estonia, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Finland, with expansion plans to Poland, Switzerland, and Austria.

  • Expected Returns

    13.5%-16.5% annual returns with an average of 14.6% across all investments. Loan durations typically range from 12 to 16 months.

  • Safety Features

    All loans secured by collateral, Swiss financial regulation through FINMA/PolyReg, and a Provision Fund that accumulates 2% from each funded project.

  • Performance Metrics

    Zero reported defaults or late loans as of March 2025, with total repayments of €1.83 million and interest payments exceeding €827,000 to investors.

Standout Features

🇨🇭

Swiss financial regulation through FINMA/PolyReg

💸

Zero-fee model for investors (all costs covered by borrowers)

🔄

Secondary market for added liquidity

🏆

Loyalty program with up to 2% bonus interest

Investment Calculator

years

Total Investment Value

€9,451.72
After 5 years
€6,000
Total Invested
€3,451.72
Total Earnings
57.53%
Total Return
€57.53
Monthly Interest
💡 Estimated returns shown before tax. Tax rates vary by country and personal circumstances.

Recommended Strategy

Based on your inputs, we recommend a Diversified Portfolio approach across multiple business loans in different countries to balance risk while achieving the strong 14.60% average return.

Our Experience with Maclear

We’ve been actively testing and investing with Maclear since September 2024, with a test portfolio of €3,000 spread across their business loan offerings. Here’s our detailed experience with this Swiss-regulated platform:

Our Test Portfolio Results

€3,000
Test Investment
14.8%
Average Return
6 Months
Testing Period
  • What Impressed Us

    • Exceptionally high and consistent returns (14-16%)
    • Swiss regulatory framework providing better investor protection
    • Efficient verification process with clear communication
    • Detailed information about each loan project and collateral
    • Zero-fee model enhancing actual returns
  • Areas for Improvement

    • Limited operational history (launched May 2023)
    • Geographic concentration with many loans in Bulgaria
    • Occasional periods with limited new projects available
    • Secondary market has lower liquidity than larger platforms
    • Limited financial transparency about the platform itself
  • Real-World Performance

    During our six-month testing period, we distributed our €3,000 investment across different loan types:

    • Standard Business Loans (€1,200): Achieved 13.5% annual return with monthly interest payments arriving punctually. All loans performing as expected.
    • High-Yield Business Loans (€1,200): Currently earning 15.0% annually, showing consistent performance with no delays in payments.
    • Premium Business Loans (€600): Earning 16.5% annual return on select high-yielding opportunities. Higher risk profile but strong collateral provisions.

    During our testing period, we experienced no defaults, late payments, or operational issues. The platform’s performance aligned with its marketed claims, though it’s important to note the relatively short testing period.

    Key Observations

    • Platform Stability: The platform has shown excellent technical reliability with minimal downtime.
    • Investment Process: Loan selection and investing process is straightforward, with good project documentation.
    • Risk Management: The platform’s risk assessment appears thorough, though we’ve not tested the collateral liquidation process.
    • Customer Service: Response time averaged 7 hours during business days, with knowledgeable support staff.

    Final Opinion

    Maclear offers an attractive proposition for yield-seeking investors with its high returns and Swiss regulatory oversight. The platform’s zero-fee model and collateralized loans create a compelling value proposition. However, the limited operational history since its 2023 launch means long-term performance remains to be proven. The geographic concentration and occasional project availability limitations are worth considering when building an investment strategy. Overall, Maclear shows promise as a high-yield addition to a diversified P2P portfolio for investors comfortable with business lending risks.

    Platform Safety Analysis

    ⚖️

    Swiss Regulatory Framework

    Risk Level: Low 30%
    • Supervised by Swiss Financial Market Authority (FINMA)

    • Member of PolyReg Self-Regulatory Organization

    • Annual financial audits by BlueAUDIT GmbH

    • AML audits by Pfister Treuhand AG

    🛡️

    Loan Security

    Risk Level: Medium 50%
    • All loans secured by collateral

    • Multi-stage borrower selection process

    • Maclear acts as legal collateral agent

    • !

      Collateral liquidation process untested at scale

    📈

    Platform Track Record

    Risk Level: Medium 60%
    • Zero defaults reported to date

    • €14.3M+ total loan volume processed

    • !

      Limited operational history (since May 2023)

    • !

      Platform’s own financial stability not fully transparent

    Investor Protection Features

    🔐

    Provision Fund

    2% of every funded project contributes to a buffer against defaults

    🔒

    Legal Protection

    Maclear acts as collateral, collection, and payment agent

    📊

    Risk Assessment

    Banking-sector practices for evaluating borrower creditworthiness

    🔄

    Secondary Market

    Exit option for investors needing liquidity before loan maturity

    Provision Fund in Detail

    A key safety feature of Maclear’s platform is its Provision Fund, which works as follows:

    • Funding Source: 2% of every successfully funded project goes into the fund.
    • Purpose: Serves as a buffer to protect investors in case of borrower defaults.
    • Access: Maclear manages the fund and determines when it should be used.
    • Limitation: The fund is not a guarantee of full principal recovery and depends on adequate capitalization.
    • Current Status: As of March 2025, the fund has not been needed due to zero defaults reported.

    While the Provision Fund adds an additional layer of protection, investors should understand that it may not cover substantial or simultaneous defaults across multiple loans. It should be viewed as a risk mitigation measure rather than a complete guarantee.

    Platform Interface & Features

    Maclear Dashboard Interface

    Main Dashboard

    Intuitive overview showing portfolio performance and key metrics

    Loan Project Details Screen

    Loan Project Details

    Comprehensive information about borrowers, collateral, and terms

    Secondary Market Interface

    Secondary Market

    Buy and sell loan investments before their maturity date

    Portfolio Analytics Screen

    Portfolio Analytics

    Detailed performance statistics and diversification analysis

    📊 Dashboard

    • Clear investment portfolio overview

    • Real-time earnings tracking

    • Performance analytics and visualizations

    🔍 Loan Marketplace

    • Detailed project documentation

    • Risk rating and assessment details

    💰 Secondary Market

    • Sell investments before maturity

    • Buy existing loans with payment history

    • No fees for secondary market transactions

    Investment Options & Features

    🏢

    Standard Business Loans

    13.50% p.a.

    Established businesses with strong financial track records and multiple forms of collateral

    📈

    High-Yield Business Loans

    15.00% p.a.

    Growth-stage businesses with higher potential returns and secured collateral

    💎

    Premium Business Loans

    16.50% p.a.

    High-return opportunities for businesses with specialized funding needs and strong security

    Platform Accessibility

    Maclear’s platform is designed to be accessible across different devices and for various investor needs:

    📱

    Mobile Responsive

    Full platform functionality on smartphones and tablets

    🌐

    Multi-Language

    Interface available in English, German, and Russian

    🔔

    Email Notifications

    Customizable alerts for new projects and payments

    🔒

    Two-Factor Authentication

    Enhanced security for account access

    Note: While the platform is mobile-responsive, there is currently no dedicated native mobile app available.

    User Experience & Reviews

    Trustpilot Score
    4.1/5
    ★★★★☆
    Based on 180+ reviews
    Customer Satisfaction
    86%
    Based on platform surveys
    Support Response
    7h
    Average response time

    👍 What Users Love

    • 💰

      High returns compared to other P2P platforms

    • 🇨🇭

      Swiss regulation providing greater confidence

    • 🧠

      Transparent loan details and quality documentation

    • 💲

      No fees for investors enhancing actual returns

    👎 Common Complaints

    • ⏱️

      Limited project availability at certain times

    • 🔄

      Secondary market still developing liquidity

    • 📱

      No dedicated mobile app available

    • 🌐

      Geographic concentration in loan offerings

    Loyalty Program

    Maclear offers a tiered loyalty program that rewards long-term investors with additional benefits:

    Silver Tier

    Requirement: €5,000+ invested

    Benefits:

    • 0.5% bonus interest rate
    • Early access to new projects

    Gold Tier

    Requirement: €15,000+ invested

    Benefits:

    • 1.0% bonus interest rate
    • Early access to new projects
    • Dedicated account manager

    Platinum Tier

    Requirement: €50,000+ invested

    Benefits:

    • 2.0% bonus interest rate
    • Early access to new projects
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom investment opportunities

    Recent User Reviews

    Alexander M. February 2025
    ★★★★★

    “I’ve been using Maclear for about 10 months now, and I’m extremely satisfied with the returns. The platform is very transparent about the businesses they fund, and I appreciate the Swiss regulatory oversight. The no-fee model is also a major advantage compared to other P2P platforms I’ve used.”

    Elena K. January 2025
    ★★★★☆

    “The returns on Maclear are significantly higher than other platforms I’ve tried. I do wish there were more investment opportunities available at times, as good projects get funded quickly. The secondary market is helpful but still developing in terms of liquidity. Overall, it’s become an important part of my investment portfolio.”

    Markus H. December 2024
    ★★★☆☆

    “The platform offers good returns but I’m somewhat concerned about the geographic concentration of loans. Many projects are from Bulgaria and Estonia, which creates some concentration risk. Customer service is responsive but sometimes takes longer than I’d like. The Swiss regulatory framework is reassuring, but I’m keeping my investment limited until they have a longer track record.”

    Getting Started

    1

    Create Your Account

    Register on the Maclear platform using your email address and set a secure password. The initial registration takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

    2

    Complete Verification

    Verify your identity through the KYC process by providing identification documents and proof of address. This process is particularly thorough due to Swiss AML regulations.

    3

    Fund Your Account

    Make your first deposit via bank transfer. The minimum investment amount is €50, though starting with at least €200-500 is recommended for better diversification.

    4

    Start Investing

    Browse available loan projects, review their details and risk assessments, and invest in the opportunities that match your investment criteria.

    Account Verification

    📝

    Personal Information

    • Full legal name
    • Date of birth
    • Complete residential address
    • Tax residence information
    🆔

    Required Documents

    • Valid passport or national ID card
    • Proof of address (utility bill/bank statement)
    • Selfie with ID document
    • Source of funds declaration

    Deposit Methods

    🏦

    SEPA Transfer

    No platform fees
    1-2 business days processing
    European bank accounts supported
    🌐

    International Transfer

    Global accessibility
    ! Bank fees may apply
    3-5 business days processing
    💸

    Swiss Domestic Transfer

    Fastest processing (same-day)
    No platform fees
    Swiss banking system benefits

    ℹ️ Important Information

    • New accounts receive a 1.5% cashback on initial investments within 30 days of registration
    • Verification is typically completed within 1-2 business days but may take longer for non-EU residents
    • Minimum investment amount is €50 per project
    • International transfers may have correspondent bank fees not covered by Maclear
    • First-time withdrawals require additional security verification

    Market Comparison

    Platform Comparison

    FeatureMaclearLendermarketEstateGuruMintos
    Maximum Returns16.50%16.00%12.00%12.00%
    Minimum Investment€50€10€50€50
    Secondary Market Free Free 2% fee 0.85% fee
    Regulatory StatusSwiss FINMAFCA RegisteredECSP LicensedECSP Licensed
    Investor Fees None None Has fees Has fees
    Platform AgeSince 2023Since 2019Since 2014Since 2015
    Loan TypesBusiness loansConsumer/BusinessReal estateMultiple types

    Top Alternatives

    Lendermarket Similar Returns

    16.00%
    Max Returns
    €10
    Min Investment
    • Longer operational history (since 2019)
    • Creditstar Group backing
    • Lower minimum investment (€10)

    EstateGuru Real Estate Focus

    12.00%
    Max Returns
    €50
    Min Investment
    • Property-backed investments
    • Established track record (since 2014)
    • ECSP licensed platform

    Mintos Most Diverse

    12.00%
    Max Returns
    €50
    Min Investment
    • Largest P2P platform in Europe
    • Multiple loan originators and types
    • EU regulatory compliance (ECSP)

    🔍 Maclear’s Key Differentiators

    • Swiss financial regulation through FINMA offering unique regulatory oversight
    • Highest potential returns among major platforms (up to 16.5%)
    • Zero-fee model for investors (all costs covered by borrowers)
    • Provision Fund that accumulates 2% from each funded project
    • Focus on carefully selected business loans with collateral backing

    Tax & Reporting

    Tax Documents

    📊

    Annual Tax Statement

    Comprehensive yearly statement showing all interest earned, transactions, and applicable tax information. Available in PDF format by February each year.

    📋

    Income Certificates

    Official documents certifying income earned through the platform, suitable for tax authority submissions in your home country.

    📑

    Transaction History

    Detailed logs of all account activities with filtering options for specific tax periods. Available in CSV and PDF formats for easy integration with accounting software.

    Reporting Features

    📊

    Portfolio Dashboard

    Customizable views of portfolio performance and income

    📈

    Performance Analytics

    Visualizations of returns, interest, and investment growth

    📥

    Export Options

    Multiple formats (PDF, CSV, Excel) compatible with tax software

    🗓️

    Date Range Filtering

    Custom date selections for specific tax reporting periods

    Tax Considerations by Region

    🇪🇺

    European Union

    • Income typically taxed as capital gains or investment income
    • Some countries may have automatic reporting requirements
    • Tax rates vary significantly between EU member states
    • Annual tax statements suitable for most EU tax declarations
    🇨🇭

    Switzerland

    • Income subject to Swiss income tax
    • Wealth tax may apply to investment capital
    • Canton-specific tax rates and regulations
    • Special documentation available for Swiss residents
    🌍

    International Investors

    • No withholding tax applied by Maclear
    • Self-declaration responsibility in home country
    • Tax documentation in English available for all users
    • May be subject to local tax treaties with Switzerland
    ⚠️

    Important Considerations

    • Tax treatment varies significantly by country and individual circumstances
    • Income from P2B lending may be classified differently than traditional investments
    • Swiss regulatory framework may have tax implications in some jurisdictions
    • Consult a tax professional familiar with P2P/P2B investments
    💡

    Tips for Tax Efficiency

    • Download and archive tax statements promptly when issued
    • Maintain separate records for each tax year
    • Consider tax implications when timing investments and withdrawals
    • Utilize platform export features for integration with tax software

    Final Verdict

    4.0 /5.0
    Overall Rating

    Key Takeaways

    • Exceptional returns of up to 16.5% with strong performance so far
    • Swiss regulatory framework enhancing investor protection
    • Zero-fee model maximizing investor profits
    • Limited operational history as P2B platform (since May 2023)
    • Geographic concentration risk with many Bulgarian loans

    Recommended For

    • Investors seeking high returns in the 13-16% range
    • Those who value Swiss regulatory oversight
    • Investors interested in business lending exposure
    • Experienced P2P investors diversifying platforms
    • Medium to long-term investment horizons (12+ months)

    Consider Alternatives If

    • You prefer platforms with long-established track records
    • You need immediate liquidity or short investment terms
    • You’re uncomfortable with emerging market exposure
    • You want maximum geographic diversification
    • You’re a highly conservative investor

    Ready to Start Investing with Maclear?

    🎁 Get 1.5% Cashback on Initial Investments

    * Terms and conditions apply. Investment involves risk of capital loss. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. Always conduct your own due diligence before investing.

    Listen to Our Maclear Review

    Listen to our audio summary of the Maclear review while browsing or on the go. Duration: 5:13

    Why listen? Get the key highlights of our in-depth Maclear analysis including returns, risks, and who this platform is best suited for.

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