"For venture investors, the credit crunch is providing an unexpected uptick in business opportunities for some portfolio companies, such as providers of consumer loans and data-management services," The Wall Street Journal reports. "One example is Prosper Inc., a San Francisco company that enables individuals to make loans to each other. Prosper, whose backers include Accel Partners, Benchmark Partners and Fidelity Ventures, has seen a surge in well-qualified borrowers turning to it for financing after being frozen out of traditional credit markets. It has also seen more people willing to lend money through its network, seeking higher rates than they can earn on bank deposits. In February, prime loans hit a record, accounting for 43% of Prosper's originations. A year earlier, that rate was 25%, with the balance rated near- or sub-prime."