Which financial institution has just reported a 140 per cent rise in lending year on year? The answer is Zopa, the online "lending site" - never a bank - where the borrower and lender agree the rate at which transactions are carried out. (Can't quite see that catching on with the high street banks.) Sure, only £35m has been lent in this way so far. But the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. The recovery starts here.

stefan.stern@ft.com