Friday, October 4

Digital Lending

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RBI Governor Announces Unified Lending Interface (ULI) to Streamline Credit
Digital Lending

RBI Governor Announces Unified Lending Interface (ULI) to Streamline Credit

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced the launch of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI), a significant technological advancement aimed at revolutionizing the lending landscape in India. This initiative is designed to facilitate frictionless credit access, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and rural borrowers. In this article, we will explore the key features of ULI, its potential challenges, and how it plans to handle misinformation and ensure data accuracy. Key Features of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) Seamless Data Flow: ULI enables a consent-based flow of digital information from various data service providers, including government databases and credit information companies, to lenders. This integration aims to streamline the credit ...
Simpl’s Layoff Spree Continues: 30 Employees Let Go, Senior Leadership Restructured
Digital Lending, Lending

Simpl’s Layoff Spree Continues: 30 Employees Let Go, Senior Leadership Restructured

Bengaluru-based consumer credit startup Simpl has announced another round of layoffs, letting go of 30 more employees just a month after firing 160. The company informed the affected employees through one-on-one meetings on Thursday. This latest round of layoffs follows the departure of three to four senior executives on Wednesday. Vatsal Jain, Vice President of Enterprise Business; Ashwini Ravindranath, Vice President of Partner Success; and Ramkumar Narayanan, Vice President of Product and Operations, have all resigned. A company spokesperson stated that the decision to lay off 30 employees is part of their efforts to become fiscally prudent and achieve profitability by mid-2025. The affected employees will receive a severance package including a fixed salary for the two-month noti...
Niro Crosses Rs 1,000-Cr Loan Disbursals: A Remarkable Milestone in Consumer Lending
Fintech, Digital Lending, Lending, Startups

Niro Crosses Rs 1,000-Cr Loan Disbursals: A Remarkable Milestone in Consumer Lending

Niro, the embedded consumer-lending platform, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Rs 1,000 crore ($125 million) in overall disbursals since its launch in 2022. Within just 27 months, Niro has transformed the lending landscape, offering personal loans ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 5 lakh. Let’s delve into the details of this remarkable achievement and what it means for the fintech industry. The Journey to Rs 1,000 Crore: Niro’s journey began with a vision—to make credit accessible to all, especially through non-traditional channels. In the first 20 months, Niro disbursed Rs 500 crore, demonstrating its rapid growth. The subsequent Rs 500 crore was disbursed in just over seven months, highlighting Niro’s agility and customer demand. Strategic Partnerships: N...
Zeta Revolutionizes Credit Access with New UPI-Based Stack: Aims for $1 Trillion Market by 2030
BFSI, Digital Lending, Fintech, Lending, Startups, Technology

Zeta Revolutionizes Credit Access with New UPI-Based Stack: Aims for $1 Trillion Market by 2030

Zeta, a leading fintech startup, has launched a new technology stack to support credit line-based transactions on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This move aims to revolutionize the way credit is accessed and utilized in India, potentially leading to a trillion-dollar market by 2030. Key Highlights: Zeta's new stack allows banks to offer credit lines to customers directly through UPI, eliminating the need for separate credit card applications. The company aims to process 50% of all UPI credit disbursals by 2030, signifying a massive opportunity for growth. Zeta will act as a technology service provider (TSP) for financial institutions, handling everything from customer onboarding and underwriting to lifecycle management and analytics. This initiative aligns with Zeta's...
Lendingkart Secures USD 10 Million Boost for SME Lending via BlueOrchard ECB
BFSI, Digital Lending, Lending, Startups

Lendingkart Secures USD 10 Million Boost for SME Lending via BlueOrchard ECB

Lendingkart, a leading fintech company in India, has secured USD 10 million via an external commercial borrowing (ECB) from a BlueOrchard fund. This funding will be used to further expand the company's lending operations and reach a wider customer base. Lendingkart offers a range of financial products and services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. The company has disbursed over INR 10,000 crores in loans to over 1.5 lakh customers since its inception in 2014. The ECB from BlueOrchard will provide Lendingkart with additional capital to support its growth plans. The company plans to use the funds to expand its product portfolio, hire new talent, and enter new markets. Commenting on the funding, Harshvardhan Lunia, Co-founder & CEO of Lendingkart, said: "We ...
Combat Cybercrime and Financial Frauds: Workshop was conducted by DFS
Banking, BFSI, Digital Lending, Fintech, Insurtech, Lending, NBFC, Payments, Startups, Wealthtech

Combat Cybercrime and Financial Frauds: Workshop was conducted by DFS

Workshop on Collaboration Between Fintechs, and Law Enforcement Agencies The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, and the Indian CyberCrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, recently organized a half-day workshop in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi to promote collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Start-ups, and Fintech ecosystem partners. The workshop aimed to foster innovation, compliance with regulations, and address challenges such as cybersecurity and digital financial frauds. With the participation of key stakeholders, the event emphasized the need for greater collaboration to harness the full potential of the Start-up and Fintech sector in India. Collaborative Efforts for a Thriving Sector: During the workshop, the DFS Secretary,...
NBFC Leaders Advocate Responsible Lending and Equitable Co-Lending with Banks
Banking, BFSI, Digital Lending, Lending, Microfinance, NBFC

NBFC Leaders Advocate Responsible Lending and Equitable Co-Lending with Banks

Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are at the forefront of financial inclusion, bridging gaps in credit access for underserved segments. In recent discussions at the ETBFSI NBFC Connect’24 Summit in Chennai, industry leaders underscored the importance of responsible lending practices and equitable partnerships in co-lending arrangements with banks. Responsible Lending Practices Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO of Northern Arc Capital, emphasized the significance of reaching the last mile through partnerships. He stated, “As long as we are able to reach the last mile in partnership/co-lending, we bring more value to the ecosystem.” This approach ensures that credit reaches even the most remote borrowers. NBFCs adopt a calibrated and responsible underwriting process. T...
How BNPL Companies make Money?
BFSI, Banking, Blog, Digital Lending, Lending

How BNPL Companies make Money?

BNPL companies (Buy Now Pay Later) employ various strategies to generate revenue. Let’s explore how BNPL Companies make money: Merchant Fees: BNPL providers charge e-commerce platforms and retailers a fee for integrating their BNPL services. This fee ensures that the BNPL option is available during checkout on these platforms. Interest and Fees on Late Payments: If consumers fail to repay within the stipulated period, BNPL companies charge interest or late fees. These penalties contribute to their revenue. Credit Risk Management: BNPL firms assess credit risk and set credit limits for users. They earn by managing this risk effectively and ensuring timely repayments. Partnerships with Financial Institutions: Some BNPL providers collaborate with banks or financial institution...
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) in India: A Growing Trend, 2024
Lending, BFSI, Blog, Digital Lending

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) in India: A Growing Trend, 2024

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital payments in India. Online payment transactions more than doubled in 2021 compared to 2020, crossing a billion in number. Buy Now Pay later (BNPL), which allows consumers to purchase items upfront and pay for them later within a stipulated period, has become increasingly popular. Let’s delve into the details: What is BNPL (Buy Now Pay later)? BNPLs (Buy now Pay Later) are small-ticket loans that empower consumers to buy products online and offline without immediate payment. They can either pay in a lump sum or opt for the no-cost EMI route. The underlying principle is to enhance consumer spending power through readily available credit. How Does BNPL Work? Purchase and Selection: After making a purchase, customers choose BNPL as th...
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): A Historical Perspective
BFSI, Digital Lending, Goverment Notice/Circulars, Lending

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): A Historical Perspective

The concept of BNPL, which we commonly associate with modern financial arrangements, has surprisingly deep historical roots. Dr. Sathyan David, former Chief General Manager of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), drew parallels between ancient lending practices and today’s BNPL arrangements during the ETBFSI NBFC Connect’24 Summit in Chennai. Let’s explore this intriguing connection. Ancient Lending Practices Guptas and Mauryas: Dr. David highlighted that BNPL-type practices have existed since the period of the Guptas and Mauryas. During those ancient times, lending to small borrowers at high interest rates was already a common practice. The Guptas and Mauryas engaged in such lending activities, demonstrating that financial transactions involving deferred payments were not new...