By Anand Agrawal, Co-Founder & CPTO, Credgenics
Retail loans in India are on a remarkable growth trajectory. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Stability report, which was released in June this year, retail loans have displayed a remarkable CAGR of 24.8% from March 2021 to March 2023. This rate is nearly double the CAGR of 13.8% observed for gross advances during the same period. This substantial growth and future potential have captured the attention of tech industry giants like Google, who are now venturing into the retail loans segment.
As the retail loans sector continues to expand, the importance of faster and more efficient loan collections has become paramount. Thanks to cutting-edge software solutions, lenders now have the capability to leverage data-driven insights, fundamentally transforming their approach to loan collections. Modern technology charged with AI, ML, Data Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) is slowly becoming crucial for successful digital transition. Leveraging these capabilities to create segments based on borrowers’ demographic profiles, repayment patterns, and response rates over various channels, will boost the efficiency of the lenders’ conventional strategies.
Let’s dive into how analytics is revolutionising the lending industry and reshaping how borrowers are
approached for repayments and settlements.
Predictive analytics: Peering into the future
Predictive analytics isn’t a crystal ball, but it is as close as possible. This powerful tool digs into historical data, identifying trends and patterns to predict which borrowers will likely default or become delinquent. With this foresight, lenders can take a proactive approach, reaching out to at-risk borrowers in advance. It is all about offering tailored solutions to prevent defaults and financial turmoil.
Segmentation: Tailoring strategies for success
No two borrowers and their situations are alike, and segmentation acknowledges this fact. By using analytical strategies, lenders can categorise borrowers based on various parameters like payment history, demography, and risk profile. This segmentation paves the way for tailored collection strategies, focusing on individual needs and circumstances. This is a win-win situation where borrowers receive more personalised attention and lenders improve their recovery rates.
Optimised contact strategies: The art of timing and channels
In the world of loan collections, timing is everything. Optimised contact strategies leverage analytics to determine the most effective channels, frequency, and time to reach borrowers. It increases the odds of successful collections and minimises inconvenience to borrowers. After all, it’s about recovering funds without making the process burdensome for those involved.
Data-driven decision making: Knowledge is power
Analytics empowers collection teams with valuable insights derived from borrower data. This knowledge helps make informed decisions on which loans to prioritise and how to approach them. Consolidating customer data creates a comprehensive view that proves invaluable when automated bots or agents engage with customers.
Hyper personalisation: Meeting borrowers’ needs
Personalisation is the cornerstone of customer satisfaction. Analytics digs deep into borrower data,
understanding their preferences and financial situations. This insight enables lenders to offer repayment
plans tailored to each individual. By crafting personalised communication, lenders increase the chances
of borrower engagement and successful repayment. Analytics enables a two-way win – happier
borrowers and more efficient collections teams.
Risk mitigation: Preventing trouble
In lending, preventing trouble is as crucial as collecting debts. Continuous assessment of the risk in loan
portfolios allows for timely action to mitigate potential losses. This works like a safety net that identifies
issues before they escalate. By pinpointing risky loans/segments early on, lenders can take preventive
measures to protect their interests.
Regulatory compliance: Walking the legal line
Compliance with regulations in the financial services industry is non-negotiable. Analytics ensures that collections processes align with all relevant regulatory requirements. While recovering money is a priority, doing so ethically and within the boundaries of the law is essential. Compliance management tools provided by analytics solutions have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of debt collection processes, ensuring companies follow industry standards and best practices.
Agent performance: Boosting success
Collection agents are the front-line warriors in collections. Analytics allows organisations to monitor and analyze agent performance metrics continuously. With this information, they can implement targeted training, identify top-performing agents for recognition and incentives, and make informed adjustments to collections strategies. As agents become more skilled, collections become more efficient.
In conclusion, analytics is a game-changer in the lending industry, specifically in loan collections. It empowers lenders to achieve higher recovery rates, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive better results. Borrowers benefit from personalised approaches that prevent defaults and provide solutions tailored to their financial situations. Analytics provides a win for everyone involved, making loan collections smoother and more efficient.
In a world where data reigns supreme, analytics is the crown that lenders wear to make loan collections
more effective and borrower-friendly. It’s a game-changer that benefits all parties, making the lending
industry more efficient, ethical, and customer-centric. With analytics, the future of loan collections is
brighter than ever.
