Starting a Microfinance business in India

On By bsaikrishnaIn Business, Entrepreneurship

India is currently considered the largest emerging market for microfinance institutions (MFIs). Commonly described as the bank for the poor, MFIs offer three basic services: savings, credit and insurance. Setting up an MFI is not a Herculean task – provided your priorities are clear.

Before setting up a microfinance institution, it is imperative to come to a decision about one basic premise: do you want your MFI to be a non-profit or a for-profit institution?

Non-profit MFIs are set up as trusts or societies with the aid of grants and donations, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or the Indian Trust Acts, 1882. In fact, most such MFIs started out as NGOs.

If you decide to setup a for-profit MFI, there are two models to choose from: a non-banking financial company(NBFC) or a co-operative. Unlike an NBFC, a co-operative is entitled to take on savings accounts. A co-operative brings with it ownership, your customers are also owners.

Get a License from RBI

If you are setting up an NBFC, the Reserve bank of India (RBI) is the only authorized body that’s registered to grant youo a license. For this, you will need to raise Rs. 2 crore in capital. The process usually takes three to four months. You can also buy existing licenses of defunct companies from the RBI. This should cost you onwards of Rs. 25 lakh. Check http://www.rbi.org.in for more information. To obtain a license for a co-operative, contact the Registrar of Companies.

Decide your operational model

Most MFIs use groups for the intermediary financial transactions. But there are different way in which you can work with these groups. MFIs are broadly classified into two models: Self Help Groups (SHGs) and the Grameens. You must also decide the financial and non-financial services that you will be willing to offer. To better understand your customers, conduct a market survey. Also, it is advisable to run a pilot program for around 1 year, which will help you build the cohesion and helps you better tailor your products and services to your clientele.

– You may require 5-6 field workers, people who actually meet and interact with the target customers. It is advisable to choose the field workers with ethnic profile from your customer base.

– You may require few people to look after the accounts, and manage the MSME.

Get a bank loan

MFIs fall under the ‘priority sector‘ identified by the Government of India. The pilot program helps to gain the bank’s trust and put you at an advantage as you approach the banks. As always in business, it is advisable to source your funds from two to three different banks. Below are a few links that may be useful:

RBI revises priority sector lending norms

RBI lending norms

This post will be followed up with more details about the operational models of MFI.

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62 thoughts on “Starting a Microfinance business in India”

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  5. Manoj biswas

    I want creat microfimance compamy in nadia distric westbengal, can u give detail term and condititon for this licence

  7. sushanta sarkar

    sir i want create a microfinance company in jalpaiguri district (state west bengle). pls give me some suggestion.

    3. Shashank

      Hi Sushanta, i am also from jalpaiguri district. Did u find good prospect for microfinance in that area. Share ur contact details.

  8. Sir,Create a Microfinance company depends on the money you raise and following rules of RBI.
    Running the company with good software is foremost thing.
    We are using Octopus Open source software which is less cost then other software

  12. Gaurav

    Hi Saikrishna,
    Can you please share the link to the follow up post that discusses the operational models of MFI, if the same has already been published?
    Regards,

  13. anil prajapati

    Dear Sir,

    please guide for the microfinance business operation..

    Anil Prajapati
    +91 8128685161

  15. Chandan

    So, what’s the procedure to get the existing license. Please update me if this is possible to get.

    Regards,
    Chandan
    9711843743

  16. Ajay B

    I had exactly the same question as Chandan. Can you guide us on how to acquire an existing licence for an NBFC.

  22. Tinku Bora

    Sir, I want to start Micro finance Co. in District-Naugaon(Assam). Please tell me how to open a company and from where will I able get the licence.
    Please send me the details information in my email.id- boratinku4@gmail.com.

  26. lakhvir

    i want to start micro finance company in punjab
    my contact no is 08191904625 can any 1 help me to guide for registration

  31. Dipankar Biswas

    i want to open a micro finance company so please help me out.i dnt know all the process of the buisness…….my contact no is 9038612522.Dipankar Biswas..thank you…

  33. Dear Sir,
    I want to setup microfinance business in my village, kindly get me guide line about this business and told me how to get approval to start this business. There is lots of opportunities to build microfinance business.

  34. S.Raghuchandra Singh

    Sir,l am a experienced person in microfinance operation as l had worked in many MFIs and NBFC.Now , l want to take microfinance as my life’s occupation by starting microfinance in my District with a society registered under Manipur Societies registration act . Please suggest me how to open /start microfinance venture and how to get bank funding sir.

  39. Umesh Padhiyar

    Dear all I have all operational knowledge about microfinance I working with microfinance last 7 years in Ahmadabad city of Gujarat if anyone start this business in this city call me.I also wanted to work with funder as chief of all positions. My cell number is – 9725010300

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