Six Firms to Pilot New Business Models for Moneylending

11 DEC 2018

11 Dec 2018 Posted in Press releases

  1. The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) announced today that six firms have been selected to pilot new business models for moneylending, as part of an initiative to better protect borrowers through business-led improvements. These new models include more comprehensive use of data to assess creditworthiness, using digitalised processes to lower cost and giving better terms to those who repay their loans early or on time.

  2. On 11 May 2018, MinLaw issued an invitation for proposals to pilot new business models for moneylending. Applications closed on 20 July 2018. These six firms were selected for having the strongest proposals amongst the 38 firms which applied. They also met a set of stringent mandatory criteria, including the soundness and completeness of the business model, participation in debt assistance schemes, professional debt recovery practices, customer and communication strategies, and effective cost of credit and credit policies. They have paid-up capital of at least $1 million, which shows their financial standing. They also have a demonstrated track record in providing consumer credit, whether in licensed moneylending or in other sectors of consumer credit.

  1. The six firms and the number of moneylending outlets each of them can apply to operate are:
    1. Credit 21 Private Limited (4 outlets);
    2. Dey Private Limited (4 outlets);
    3. IFS Capital Limited (1 outlet);
    4. Minterest Holdings Private Limited (1 outlet);
    5. Quick Credit Private Limited (4 outlets); and
    6. Xingang Investment Private Limited (1 outlet)
  1. The six firms will be issued moneylending licences to operate the outlets they apply for, in a one-time lifting of the moratorium imposed on the issuance of new licences. Since the moratorium was imposed in 2012, the number of moneylending outlets has decreased from 215 outlets, to 162 outlets currently. The six firms will be allowed to apply for licences for up to 15 new outlets in total, and this represents less than 10% of the 162 outlets currently operated by the 157 licensed moneylenders.
  1. The licensees will be allowed to operate for up to two years beginning in 2019, following which MinLaw will evaluate the results of the pilot and consider options for refining the moneylending regulatory regime.

Last updated on 11 Dec 2018