Microfinance Sector Rebounds as Loan Disbursals and Repayments Rise

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AuthorAnanya Iyer|Published at:
Microfinance Sector Rebounds as Loan Disbursals and Repayments Rise
Overview

India's microfinance sector shows signs of a significant turnaround. Lenders like ESAF, Equitas, and Ujjivan report growth in loan portfolios, while NBFC-MFIs anticipate higher disbursals and assets under management. Despite the positive momentum, the overall market size contracted to ₹3.46 lakh crore by September 2025, down from its peak.

Sector Shows Recovery Signs

The Indian microfinance sector is demonstrating robust signs of recovery, with financial institutions observing a notable uplift in business volumes and an improvement in loan repayment rates. This positive trend suggests a turnaround for lenders serving economically weaker segments.

Key Players Report Growth

Several small finance banks (SFBs) are leading the resurgence. ESAF Small Finance Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank have reported increased micro loan asset portfolios for the third quarter of the fiscal year. Similarly, non-banking financial company-microfinance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) including CreditAccess Grameen, Fusion Finance, Muthoot Microfin, and Satin Creditcare Network are expected to announce sequentially higher disbursement numbers. Many of these NBFC-MFIs also anticipate growth in their assets under management (AUM) on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

Industry Dynamics and Challenges

Industry insiders indicate that financial institutions with strong capital back-ups are likely to recover more swiftly. In contrast, smaller and mid-sized MFIs are still navigating challenges related to equity and their borrowing capacities. Executives also caution that increased loan disbursements may not always equate to overall AUM growth at the sector level, due to higher rundown of existing loans.

Bandhan Bank Cleans Balance Sheet

Bandhan Bank, the nation's largest microfinance lender, has focused on balance sheet cleansing during the third quarter. The bank divested non-performing loans totaling ₹6,377 crore to asset reconstruction companies. This strategic move is expected to further reduce its microfinance portfolio. Additionally, the bank offloaded written-off loans valued at ₹7,426 crore.

Market Size Contraction Continues

Data from CRIF High Mark shows a persistent contraction in the overall microfinance market. As of September 2025, the market size was reported at ₹3.46 lakh crore, a considerable decrease from the all-time high of ₹4.34 lakh crore recorded at the end of March 2024.

Equitas's Performance Snapshot

Equitas Small Finance Bank posted a significant 52% quarter-on-quarter increase in its microfinance and micro loan advances, reaching ₹5,159 crore by the close of December. This surge was largely attributed to the acquisition of agri loans worth ₹1,343 crore from other regulated entities, according to its stock exchange filing.

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