There has never been so many innovative ways to get a loan as there are today. The credit crunch has hit many consumers hard and many have been unable to attain bank loans because of it. However, in times of crisis, innovation tends to flourish.
Since the recession hit, concepts of collateral-free microcredit, online startup micro-financing and mico-lending have all become popular topics. People are innovating to help others out in their time of need and in the process, they are starting up very promising businesses.
The economic state of the world may seem uncertain, but savvy entrepreneurs who take advantage of this financial climate are sure to prosper (and maybe even change the lives of those who need help). These ways to get a loan are truly inspiring.
16 Innovative Ways to Get a Loan
From Collateral-Free Microcredit to Student Loan Micro-Lending:
Shelby Lee Walsh — Apr 6, 2011 — Social Good

16
Lebanese Liposuction Loans
First National Bank Promotes Plastic Surgery

15
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor

14
Ebay Ventures Into Microfinance
MicroPlace.com
13
Co-Branded Loaner Cars
Fiat 500 Edition Ferrari
12
Federal Help Sites for Homeowners
MakingHomeAffordable.gov Aids Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Mortgages
11
Credit Crunch Netrepreneurs
‘Robin Hood Marketing' Takes a Social Networking Slant
10
Billion-Pound Borrowing
The UK's Olympic Village Loan
9
Fashionable Micro-Lending
Benetton's Global Campaign to Support Birima
8
Giving 2.0
Kiva Loans Lend Directly to a Developing World Entrepreneur
7
Microlending To Entrepreneurs
Richard Branson Launches Virgin Money
6
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
5
Online Startup Microfinancing
ProFounder Leverages Family and Friends for Seed Money
4
Student Loan Micro-Lending
Kiva Student Loans Let You Fund a Student's Education
3
$85 Billion Loans
AIG Bailout “The Most Radical Intervention” in History
2
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
1
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
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Anonymous Mortgage Tools
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Financial Coloring Books
Chime Boasts Activities for Financial Progress Month
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Canadian Rent-Reporting Tools
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Multi-Use Non-Payment Wallets
Google Wallet India Unveils an Expansion for Non-Payment Services
Educational Fashion Partnerships
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Auto-Savings Digital Bank Features
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Financial Accessibility-Enhancing Cards
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Creative-Centric Campaigns
CFDA and Swarovski Launch Re:Generation Fund to Empower Creatives
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Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
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Business Founder Newsletters
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Tech-Powered Business Solutions
Apple Business Connect Leverages the Brand's User Base
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Crowdfunding Platform Improvements
Kickstarter has Outlined its 2025 Roadmap of Platform Updates
Online Idea-Sharing Platforms
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Reimagined Story-Driven Campaigns
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Beauty Innovation Funds
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Parent-to-Parent Marketplaces
Blossoms Helps Families Exchange Gently Used Children's Clothing
AI-Crafted Banking Ads
The U.S. Bank Debuts 'The Power of Us' Campaign
Rewarding Graduation Cards
Hallmark and Venmo Created Giftable Cards for the Class of 2024
Early Wage Solutions
Tapcheck Provides On-Demand Pay Access for Employee Financial Flexibility
Small Business Support Initiatives
Mastercard Awards Ten Female Entrepreneurs with Grants
Content Idea Generators
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Idea Discovery Tools
Firefinder Instantly Generates Business Ideas From Any Webpage
Blockchain-Powered Credit Unions
KeyPoint Credit Union Joins a Banking Innovation Program
Improved Car Shopping Experiences
The BofA is Streamlining Automotive Purchasing for its Clients
Feel-Good Financial Campaigns
Ally Financial's Banksgiving Supports Customers in Need with Funds
Cheeky Financial Stress-Alleviating Campaigns
HOPWTR Has Debuted a Creative Promotional Campaign
Effective Credit-Building Apps
Kikoff Relies on Targeted Financial Tools to Help Individuals
AI Business Pitching
Shark Puddle Allows Entrepreneurs to Test Ideas with AI Sharks for Feedback
Accessible Home Improvement Services
IKEA Canada Introduces Payplan by RBC
Skincare Investment Campaigns
Kiehl's Skin-Vestment Pairs Skincare Solutions and Financial Jargon
Artist-Led Music Streaming Stores
The SoundCloud Store Lets Artists Create Their Own Merch
Personal Cubicle Concepts
Ma. Camilla Isabel Reyes Designs a Personal Working Pod Concept
Meme-Inspired Bitcoin Debuts
DogeLend Generates Significant Interest with Its Innovative Presale
Small Business Grants Program
eBay Kicks Off Its Fifth Annual Up & Running Grants Program
Community Project Micro-Grant Programs
Big Grove Brewery Debuts the Neighborhood Micro-Grant
Expanded Purchase Financing Tools
Klarna Inks a Deal with Walmart for its Buy-Now-Pay-Later Tool
Cashless Business Technologies
Aleta Planet Debuts the MPLUS Aleta for Southeast Asian Consumers
Youth-Focused Financial Literacy Guides
Lakefront Finance Targets Gen Alpha, Gen Z & Millennials
Privacy-First Finance Apps
'Skwad' Helps Users Track Spending Without Linking Bank Accounts
Money Management Platforms
Wealth Calculator Lets You Visualize Your Investment Journey
Need-Based Public Fundraising Initiatives
The Salvation Army Urges Public Support in New Campaign
BNPL-Backed Credit Cards
Klarna Debuts a New Credit Card with Maximized Savings and 10% Cash Back
Cross-Border Startup Pitching Competitions
Seoul Seeks to Ignite Global Startup Collaboration
Startup Growth Strategies
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Athlete Financial Partnerships
The Shaquille O’deal Campaign Educates on Financial Freedom
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P2P Clothing Rental Platforms
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Supportive Female Entrepreneur Scholarships
Swerve Boasts the Swerve(HER) Elevation Scholarship
Sustainable Finance Accelerators
Commerzbank Taps Tenity for a New Sustainable Finance Accelerator
Personal Finance Planning
FinancialAha Streamlines Financial Planning and Projections
Interest Projection Tools
CD Calculator Helps You Estimate Interest Earnings With Ease
Inspirational Learning Management Tools
'Get Inspired' Offers Digestible Snippets of Content
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People Problems Discovers Real Business Opportunities From Daily Needs
Upgraded Crowdfunding Platforms
Kickstarter Now Allows Users to Pledge for a Campaign Late
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LANY's Paul Klein & Sackcloth & Ashes Debut a Chic Blanket
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Junk Removal Financing Options
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Jifiti Has Introduced Tap Now, Pay Later™ Technology
Australian Fintech Lending Tools
BeforePay Group Launched 'Carrington Labs' for B2B Lending
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