NBFC

Fintech Weekly Deep Dive — KreditBee Unicorn & India Digital Lending | Week of April 13-19, 2026 Executive Summary KreditBee’s entry into India’s unicorn club with a $280 million Series E funding round — valuing the Bengaluru-based digital lending platform at $1.5 billion — stands as the most consequential fintech development of the past week. The funding, led by Motilal Oswal Alternates, Hornbill Capital, and MUFG-backed Dragon Funds, marks India’s first unicorn of fiscal year 2027 and the third of calendar year 2026, following Juspay and Neysa. 1 ...

Fintech Weekly Deep Dive — India’s Gold Loan Boom | Week of March 15-22, 2026 Executive Summary India’s gold loan market has emerged as the most significant fintech and financial services story of the past week, with the total market now estimated at ₹14 trillion ($152 billion) — a figure that represents one of the fastest-growing retail credit segments in the world’s fifth-largest economy. The convergence of multiple factors — soaring gold prices (up 140% since 2024, crossing $5,000 per ounce), tighter RBI regulations on unsecured lending, and broader geographic adoption across India — has created a perfect storm that is fundamentally reshaping how millions of Indians access credit. ...

NBFC — Non-Banking Financial Companies: Complete 101 Guide Last updated: March 2026 What is an NBFC? NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) are financial institutions that provide banking-like services without holding a banking license. They play a crucial role in financial inclusion. Types of NBFCs Category Activities Asset Finance Vehicle, equipment loans Loan Company Personal, business loans Investment Securities, mutual funds Infrastructure Finance Project loans Microfinance Small business loans How NBFCs Work Registration Minimum ₹2 crore capital (some categories) RBI registration mandatory Compliance with RBI directives Lending Process Customer application Credit assessment Risk-based pricing Loan disbursement Repayment collection NBFC vs Banks Feature NBFC Bank Acceptance of deposits Limited Full RBI regulation Yes Yes Credit creation Yes Yes Deposit insurance No Yes ( DICGC) Consumer Rights Transparent interest rates Fair practices code compliance Grievance redressal mechanism Credit information accuracy No hidden charges disclosure

Lending — India’s Digital Lending Revolution What is Digital Lending? Digital lending refers to the process of availing loans through online platforms, eliminating traditional brick-and-mortar visits. In India, digital lending has grown from ₹2.3 lakh crore (2020) to over ₹7 lakh crore (2024), driven by UPI integration and RBI’s sandbox initiatives. Key Players Regulated Entities NBFCs: Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Small Finance Banks: AU Small Finance Bank, Ujjivan P2P Lending: LenDenClub, IndiaLends, Rupaiya Exchange Digital-Only Lenders Instant Loan Apps: Cred, LazyPay, Kissht Salary Advances: SalaryMate, Payme India How Digital Lending Works KYC Verification: Aadhaar-linked eKYC, video KYC Credit Assessment: AI-based scoring using alternative data Loan Disbursal: UPI/Bank transfer within minutes Repayment: EMIs via auto-debit, UPI Regulatory Framework RBI Guidelines (2024) Interest Rate Caps: 36% APR for digital loans Data Privacy: Digital Lending Guidelines require explicit consent Loan Aggregation: RBI registration mandatory Transparent Pricing: All fees must be disclosed upfront Key Regulations Master Direction on Digital Lending: Sept 2022 (updated 2024) KYC Requirements: Aadhaar eKYC with user consent Default Borrowing Limit: ₹1 lakh per borrower per P2P platform RBI’s Role Digital Lending Sandbox: Testing innovative products Credit Information Bureau: CIBIL, Experian, Equifax Default Classification: 90-day overdue = NPA Common Issues & Borrower Rights Consumer Rights Transparent Disclosure: All fees, interest rates must be shown No Hidden Charges: Processing fees capped at 3% Grievance Redressal: RBI’s CMRS portal for complaints Data Privacy: Cannot share data without consent Red Flags Loans without credit bureau check Excessive processing fees Unregulated instant loan apps Aggressive recovery practices How to Borrow Safely Verify RBI registration of lender Check CIBIL score before applying Read all terms including APR Avoid multiple loan applications Report unauthorized loans immediately Reporting Issues RBI Ombudsman: https://cms.rbi.org.in NCLT: For debt recovery disputes Consumer Court: For unfair trade practices Cyber Crime: For fraud recovery Prime References RBI Digital Lending Guidelines - Official regulations RBI Loan Marketplace - Compare rates CIBIL - Free credit score MFIN - NBFC association P2P Association of India - Self-regulatory body This 101 guide is part of CashlessConsumer’s fintech education initiative. Last updated: March 2026. ...