Alternative finance markets like crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending have grown rapidly in recent years, more than doubling annually from £267 million in 2012 to an expected £1.74 billion in 2014. These new sources of funding are giving individuals and businesses greater access to capital and control over their investments and finances. If growth continues, alternative finance could provide over 10% of UK funding within 5 years and help address the difficulty that many entrepreneurs and organizations face in securing loans from traditional banks.