India’s microfinance loan portfolio stands at ₹3 lakh crore with 6 crore unique borrowers

• The microfinance industry’s gross loan portfolio has shown an increase of 23.5% on yearly basis to ₹2.93 lakh crore as on June 30, 2022 from ₹2.37 lakh crore last year.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India, a microfinance loan is defined as a collateral-free loan given to a household having annual household income up to ₹3 lakh.
• Among states, Tamil Nadu is the largest state in terms of gross loan portfolio followed by Bihar and West Bengal.
• The microfinance industry began in India in the 1980s taking inspiration from Bangladesh.

The Indian microfinance loan industry today serves 6 crore unique borrowers having 11.8 crore loan accounts with a portfolio of ₹2.93 lakh crore as of June 30, 2022 says a report by Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), the microfinance industry association at its the 42nd issue of its Micrometer report.

The loan growth story among credit providers has been healthy in the last one year. The portfolio outstanding at NBFCs grew highest at 38.4%, microfinance NBFCs at 36.6%, small finance banks at 28.5% and banks at 9.9% during the period.

It is worth knowing that the microfinance loan industry began in India in the 1980s taking inspiration from Bangladesh, which made successful reforms by distributing loans to the underprivileged and women in the region.

According to the Reserve Bank of India, a microfinance loan is defined as a collateral-free loan given to a household having annual income up to ₹3 lakh. For this purpose, the household shall mean an individual family unit, i.e., husband, wife and their unmarried children.

“The sector now caters to nearly 6 crore women entrepreneurs and is playing a critical role in inclusive growth as well as furthering the mission of Digital India,” Dr Alok Misra, CEO & director at Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) said.

The ₹3 lakh crore industry has grown 23.5% in the last one year
The overall microfinance industry’s gross loan portfolio has shown an increase of 23.5% on yearly basis to ₹2.93 lakh crore as on June 30, 2022 from ₹2.37 lakh crore last year.

A large portion of such small loans are distributed by banks, microfinance NBFCs and then small finance banks. And the rest of the portfolio is served by NBFCs and microfinance lenders.
(*These are 12 banks that hold the largest share of portfolio in micro-credit)

The loan disbursals more than tripled in Q1 FY23 with ₹22,745 crore as compared to the Q1 FY22 with ₹6,279 crore.

“During the first quarter, the sector was occupied with the implementation of new harmonized regulations of the RBI. Despite that the growth has been good and credit quality of post-Covid disbursements are at 95% plus. During the remaining period of FY 22-23, riding on robust branch expansion, pent up demand and conducive policy, the sector is poised for sustainable growth,” Devesh Sachdev, chairperson at MFIN said.

Among states, Tamil Nadu is the largest state in terms of gross loan portfolio followed by Bihar and West Bengal.

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