Well assuming what you just said, is true, of course giving out loans is risky. It's like you gamble with your money in order to get 1 or 2% on top of it either in short or long terms and with the tendency of losing your money in case the guy who got the loan, doesn't return it. You could by some mining equipment's and contribute to the network as well and see the long term profit if you could manage and balance everything well.
The loan provider and the getting person can submit collateral and loan amount to escrow. Escrow can provide the bitcoin and if proper interest is not paid, this is safe if we want to be a loan provider. Just sure and safe business.