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Stefanie Haeffele-Balch

Articles by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch

stefaniehaeffelebalchStefanie Haeffele-Balch is an M.A. student in economics at George Mason University and is a master's fellow at the Mercatus Center. Her research interests include government accountability, the effects of policy on entrepreneurial innovation and discovery, and the role of non-profits.

Holistic regulation of P2P lending?

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on March 11, 2010 Comments

Prosper Marketplace CEO Chris Larsen welcomes a holistic regulator to encourage and support the peer-to-peer lending industry. Is such a regulator possible?

Thoughts on alternative lending

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on February 25, 2010 Comments

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Alternative lending forms have existed since lending began. Their specific models, practices and success may vary but all are flexible and individualized, providing opportunity to those left out of traditional lending.

Peer-to-peer lending receives high ratings for low rates

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on February 19, 2010 Comments

Peer-to-peer lending companies, such as Prosper and Lending Club, show how alternative lending structures can be effective and sustainable.

The law, cellphones, and your freedom

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on February 12, 2010 Comments

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Should a warrant be necessary before the government can obtain information from your cellphone?

Is Prosper prospering?

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on January 28, 2010 Comments

Prosper’s lending statistics for the end of 2009 are in and is once again lending is on the rise.

The internet Bill of Rights?

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on January 21, 2010 Comments

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Secretary of State Clinton has outlined essential internet freedoms that go beyond the Bill of Rights and into universal service.

Trendy regulation and unintended consequences

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on January 14, 2010 Comments

When regulators standardize current actions and beliefs they do more harm than good.

Security increases, improvement, and insufficiencies

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on January 8, 2010 Comments

Policymakers seek for more and better security instead of recognizing the limitations to aggregation.

Use your indoor voices, advertisers.

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on December 18, 2009 Comments

Is it the role of government to standardize and regulate commercial volume?

Won’t you be my (virtual) neighbor?

by Stefanie Haeffele-Balch on December 3, 2009 Comments

Does the internet lead to increased social isolation?