Machine Learning-Based Loan Default Prediction in Peer-to-Peer Lending

The peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market has recently undergone significant growth, transforming traditional lending practices. However, this evolution brings with it unique challenges, particularly in managing credit risk and ensuring the reliability of loan approvals. Accurate prediction of loan defaults remains a pivotal aspect of risk management in this sector. This study introduces a comprehensive approach to improve bad loan prediction in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, sourcing Lending Club data. In the face of challenges posed by imbalanced datasets and risk management in the loan industry, our methodology significantly enhances prediction accuracy, particularly in identifying bad loans. The study implements a comprehensive process that includes data cleaning, feature engineering, feature selection, balancing the dataset and machine learning models, achieving a noteworthy accuracy rate over 92% and recall rate above 87%. This research advances academic understanding of loan prediction and generates real-world impact. The accurate models identifying explanatory provide a valuable framework for improving decision-making and strategic planning in P2P lending platforms.