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Why can’t 9 out 10 Indians get a loan from a bank?

Jun 2, 2017
2 min read

A story of financial exclusion


Take a walk around the streets of Bangalore and you’ll see billboards, buses, and notices plastered with ads from banks offering loans and credit cards with enticing incentives. Cashback on an iPhone 7 cries one. Earn rewards to use at hotels exclaims another. Banks are literally falling over themselves to lend to you, Indians must be awash with credit!


Except they are most certainly not.


If they were, NIRA wouldn’t need to exist. In reality, banks’ credit offers are more like the bouncer of an exclusive nightclub; if your name’s not on the list, you’re not coming in.


Meet India’s Financial Freedom Bouncer: The CIBIL SCORE


Their doorman, figuratively speaking, is your CIBIL score. This is the widely used assessment of one’s creditworthiness. Banks typically require a score of 750 out of 900. Pass this threshold (and a few other things) and their doors fly open to reveal a bounty of inducements and choice.


The trouble with exclusive clubs is just that; they are exclusive. In India only 16% of people have a CIBIL score and needless to say, many of these will be have scores below 750. With this door policy, you can quickly see how most people are excluded. But this is not a club we are talking about, these people are being excluded from access to credit which will help them better manage their consumption, invest in their own and family’s future, and cope with economic shocks.


Historically, given the lack of data such as CIBIL scores for most borrowers, banks have relied on collateral being pledged by borrowers to safeguard their loans. The trouble is that once we step away from the wealthier echelons of society, most people won’t have collateral they can readily pledge. The doors remain closed.


The Future is Here


Our central contention is that there are good borrowers across income levels and the absence of a score doesn’t imply they are bad borrowers (although those with low scores have had problems in the past).


In the digital age, we can make assessments based on a wider data set. That means we can appraise someone who doesn’t have a CIBIL score. One of the questions we are ultimately asking is whether a prospective borrower will be able to repay a loan, and that’s really just about cashflow. We fundamentally believe that there will be a paradigm shift from lending against assets to lending against future cashflows. We all have the ability to create an income stream, no matter how small.


Data and technology allow us to build a more inclusive form of finance. We are not a club. Our doors are open.

28 Comments


Amelia Baker
Amelia Baker
3 days ago

I enjoy reading articles that provide useful information in a balanced and understandable way. This guide covers the basics and makes it convenient to find answers to common questions. The clear sections improve readability and help visitors focus on the topics they care about. 9kclub login I think updated information about account recovery, website security, and customer support would make it even better. A helpful article should always prioritize accuracy and give readers realistic expectations.

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Linda Bonds
4 days ago

This article raises an interesting point about the challenges many Indians face when trying to secure a bank loan. Understanding factors such as credit history, income stability, and lending requirements can help people make better financial decisions and explore suitable borrowing options. When you need a fun break from reading, try Geometry Dash for an exciting rhythm-based gaming experience filled with challenging levels, quick reflexes, and catchy music.

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Bruce W
Oct 08

This is a great breakdown of why so many people in India struggle to get a traditional bank loan. The part about thin credit files and missing documentation really resonates, since many first-time borrowers have no formal record no matter how responsible they are. Options that make lending more accessible are genuinely useful, and I recently came across 2v2 io which seems to be part of that trend.

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Bruce W
Oct 06

This breakdown really explains how documentation gaps and credit history end up locking so many people out of traditional loans. It is eye-opening, though I usually take a quick break with the sled rider game whenever finance reading gets a bit heavy.

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Gia Taylor
Gia Taylor
Oct 05

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