Report Overview

Increasingly high adoption of digital channels to improve customer experience and deepening penetration of internet and smartphones are projected to propel the expansion of the India digital lending platform market during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.

India Digital Lending Platform Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

India digital lending platform market size was estimated at USD 62.55 million in 2022. During the forecast period between 2023 and 2029, the size of India digital lending platform market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.44% reaching a value of USD 148 million by 2029. Major growth drivers for the India digital lending platform market include the rising prominence of innovative business models, a growing reliance on expedited loan processing and increasing integration of cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). As customers increasingly turn to digital channels due to the rising prevalence of smartphones and broader internet access, these platforms are becoming instrumental, influencing a substantial 40–60% of loan acquisition transactions across diverse loan categories. Also, the market witnesses the rapid participation of commercial banks, either independently offering digital lending services or forming collaborations with Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to harness synergies. Digital lending companies stand out for their streamlined prerequisites and significantly accelerated processes, necessitating only a reference bank account for loan disbursement. This has led to a noteworthy rise in the percentage of loans processed through digital channels, especially in conjunction with NBFCs. Notably, the market's transformation is further driven by the profound impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes, particularly among younger consumers who increasingly prefer these user-friendly BNPL solutions over traditional credit cards, thus propelling substantial growth within the India digital lending platform market.

India Digital Lending Platform Market – Overview

The India digital lending platform market refers to the segment within India's financial industry that specializes in providing digital solutions and platforms for the lending and borrowing of funds. These platforms leverage technology, such as mobile apps and web-based applications, to facilitate the entire lending process, from loan application and approval to disbursement and repayment. They may offer a wide range of financial products, including personal loans, business loans, consumer credit, and more, often using data analytics and innovative business models to assess creditworthiness and streamline the lending experience. This market is characterized by its rapid growth, driven by the increasing use of smartphones, internet penetration, and the adoption of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

India Digital Lending Platform Market

Growth Drivers

Deepening Internet and Smartphone Penetration

The rising penetration of internet and smartphones in India is driving substantial growth in the digital lending platform market. The increased use of smartphones and a growing number of mobile subscriptions, combined with affordable data plans, have not only fostered market expansion but have also increased awareness and adoption of digital lending among the Indian population. This surge in digital lending's popularity is primarily attributed to NBFCs collaborating with a range of digital platforms, including e-commerce, ride-hailing, travel, logistics, and more, which has led to increased acceptance of digital lending across various customer segments in the country. While originally pioneered by NBFCs, digital lending has given rise to new business models, such as Digital Lending Marketplaces, POS Transaction Lending, and partnerships between banks and NBFCs, underscoring the evolving landscape of the India digital lending platform market.

Restraints

Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats pose a significant restraint to the India digital lending platform market. As the industry witnesses rapid growth, it becomes an attractive target for malicious actors. The increasing volume of sensitive financial data being processed and stored digitally makes these platforms vulnerable to cyberattacks. Breaches, data theft, and identity fraud not only undermine customer trust but also lead to financial losses and regulatory concerns. To ensure sustainable growth, the digital lending sector must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures, invest in advanced threat detection and prevention systems, and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats to safeguard customer data and maintain market integrity.

Impact of COVID-19 on India Digital Lending Platform Market

COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the India digital lending platform market. In its initial stages, it brought challenges, including an increase in lender defaults, growing counterparty and operational risks, and a significant credit crunch for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The period from 2013 to 2019 saw a rise in gross non-performing assets of NBFCs from 3.6% to 6.6%. However, the pandemic also spurred innovation and adaptation within the digital lending sector, driven by the need for contactless transactions and remote services. Many platforms adopted stringent risk assessment models and incorporated alternative data sources to evaluate borrower creditworthiness. Also, co-lending, a marketplace model, emerged as a response to mitigate risks and improve credit flow. In the long run, the pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of the lending industry, making it more resilient and adaptable to changing circumstances.

India Digital Lending Platform Market

Segmental Coverage

India Digital Lending Platform Market – By Solution

By solution, the India digital lending platform market is divided into Business Process Management, Lending Analytics, Loan Management, Loan Origination, and Risk & Compliance Management segments. The loan origination segment holds the highest share in the India digital lending platform market by solution, primarily due to its fundamental role in the lending process. The segment serves as the initial gateway for borrowers to apply for loans and for lenders to assess their creditworthiness. It plays a pivotal role in risk management, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and integrating data-driven technologies like alternative data sources and artificial intelligence for more accurate credit assessments. Its central significance and impact on lending operations make it the leading solution in the market.

India Digital Lending Platform Market – By Service

Based on service, the India digital lending platform market is divided into Design & Implementation, Training & Education, Risk Assessment, Consulting, and Support & Maintenance segments. The design & implementation segment holds the highest share in the India digital lending platform market by service. This service is instrumental in customizing and integrating digital lending solutions according to the specific needs of financial institutions and lenders. It involves the creation of user-friendly interfaces, seamless workflows, and robust security measures, ensuring a smooth transition to digital platforms. As digital lending platforms expand, the demand for effective design and implementation services grows, making this segment the dominant player in the market.

India Digital Lending Platform Market – By Deployment

Based on deployment, the India digital lending platform market is bifurcated into On-premises and Cloud segments. The cloud segment dominated the India digital lending platform market primarily due to its scalability, cost-efficiency, and accessibility. Cloud-based solutions offer greater flexibility and the ability to rapidly adapt to changing market demands. They eliminate the need for extensive infrastructure investments and provide remote access, making them more suitable for the digital lending industry's dynamic and evolving landscape. Additionally, cloud-based platforms facilitate faster deployments, which align with the fast-paced nature of the digital lending sector, giving them a competitive edge over on-premises solutions.

India Digital Lending Platform Market – By End User

On the basis of end user, the India digital lending platform market is divided into Banks, Insurance Companies, Credit Unions, Savings & Loan Associations, and Peer-to-Peer Lending segments. The banks segment holds the highest share in the India digital lending platform market by end user. It is primarily because traditional banks have embraced digital lending to expand their services and reach a wider customer base. By incorporating digital lending platforms, banks can streamline loan origination, reduce operational costs, and enhance customer experiences. They leverage their existing customer trust and infrastructure to provide digital loan products efficiently. Additionally, the regulatory framework in India supports this digital transformation, making it easier for banks to participate in the digital lending space. As a result, the banks segment has dominated the market, offering a wide array of digital lending solutions to cater to diverse customer needs.

India Digital Lending Platform Market – By Region

Regionally, the India digital lending platform market is segmented as North India, South India, East India, and West India.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the India digital lending platform market include Ellie Mae, Inc., FIS, Fiserv, Inc., Newgen Software, Nucleus Software, Pegasystems Inc., and Roostify. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In August 2023 - Paytm, a leading fintech company in India, announced its plans to offer small mobile credit. The company provides services like Buy Now-Pay Later (BNPL) and postpaid mini, offering loans as low as INR 250. This strategic focus on lending aligns with the expected growth in India's retail lending market, which is set to reach USD 1 trillion, with a significant share attributed to MSME lending. Additionally, Paytm is investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance its risk assessment and fraud prevention capabilities in the financial sector, aiming to provide advanced AI solutions for various financial institutions.

• In July 2023 - JB Park, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, highlighted the impact of the 'Make in India' digital lending platform, Samsung Finance+, in making smartphones more affordable for Indian consumers. Launched in 2019, Samsung Finance+ has played a crucial role in driving smartphone sales worth over USD 1 billion by the end of 2022. The platform's approach to spreading payments over a longer period, without upfront costs, has significantly contributed to increasing digital empowerment in India. Samsung's commitment to democratizing technology in India includes offering 5G smartphones for as low as INR 44 per day. Samsung aims to conduct 75% of its smartphone business with 5G devices in 2023.

• In March 2023 - LoanTap, a digital lending platform, made an undisclosed acquisition of Unofin, a healthcare-focused fintech startup. Through this strategic move, LoanTap plans to harness Unofin's expertise in healthcare financing to expand its presence in India's rapidly growing healthcare sector. Unofin, which has served over 12,000 customers and disbursed INR 120 crore in loans, has established partnerships with 1,600 healthcare service providers across seven cities. This acquisition will not only enhance LoanTap's product offerings but also allow it to tap into the significant growth potential of healthcare financing. It will leverage Unofin's relationships with hospitals and clinics to offer tailored financing solutions and reach a broader customer base.

Scope of the Report

By Solution

• Business Process Management

• Lending Analytics

• Loan Management

• Loan Origination

• Risk & Compliance Management

By Service

• Design & Implementation

• Training & Education

• Risk Assessment

• Consulting

• Support & Maintenance

By Deployment

• On-premises

• Cloud

By End User

• Banks

• Insurance Companies

• Credit Unions

• Savings & Loan Associations

• Peer-to-Peer Lending

By Region

• North India

• South India

• East India

• West India