In India, Traditional banks are steadily digitalizing their presence by offering digital products such as loans, mutual funds and services such as net banking.
Specific to the lending industry, many modern FinTech businesses have 100% digital lending supply chains, while traditional banks continue to work with hybrid processes both online and offline.
This hybrid approach followed by traditional banks is motivated by two factors:
1) A sizable offline customer demographic that prefers an offline bank branch and
2) The cost difficulties associated with upgrading/revamping legacy IT infrastructure systems As a result, digital transformation initiatives are happening at a somewhat slower rate for Traditional banks than upcoming FinTech Businesses in comparison.
Defining Traditional Banks
Traditional banks are long-established financial institutions that have long been pillars of the banking industry. These banks have a physical presence in the form of brick-and-mortar branches and have historically been the go-to institutions for a wide range of financial services.
Traditional does not imply stagnation, but rather a rich history and legacy that has evolved. These banks are now balancing the benefits of digital transformation while maintaining the personalized touch that has been a hallmark of their service.
NACH/ECS over PDC as a Gateway to Digital Transformation
Traditional banks are actively steering customers away from the conventional practice of relying on Post Dated Cheques (PDCs).
PDCs, which have historically been used for deferred payments, entail writing a check with a future date on it. However, the traditional use of PDCs is progressively declining as a result of the promotion of online transactions via the Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) and the National Automated Clearing House (NACH).
Traditional Usage of PDC
Retail lending in India grew at an exponential rate between 2000 and 2016, just before the implementation of NACH management. PDCs were used, and cheques were sent to the clearing house a week before the payment date. The manual operations, however, became burdensome for banks due to the large volume of cheques that needed to be printed and tracked.
Since the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) in 2016, the use of PDCs for repayment has been steadily declining. NACH has been instrumental in streamlining these manual processes and increasing operational efficiency.
EMI repayment using ECS/NACH
Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) payments in the lending industry are easily enabled by Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) and National Automated Clearing House (NACH) mandates. The payment process is streamlined by these mandates, which offer a framework for repetitive and large-scale transactions. ECS, facilitates paperless credit/debit transactions, particularly for repetitive payments like EMIs.
Exploring NACH Management from a Strategic Standpoint
As traditional banks set forth on their digitalization journey, they face the challenge of integrating cutting-edge technologies into well-established legacy systems. The need to serve an existing offline customer base while dealing with legacy systems complicates their transition.
ECS/NACH management solutions can help traditional banks overcome the obstacles posed by an offline customer base and legacy systems. Through the implementation of these systems, organizations can effectively steer towards complete digitalization, contributing towards their competitiveness in the market. ECS/NACH management systems not only help traditional banks handle bulk mandates more efficiently, but they also save time & expenses.
Exploration 1: Systematic Attunement to Digital Transformation Initiatives
This strategic efficiency allows banks to refocus their attention and resources on reevaluating and improving their digital and business initiatives. Logically, Internet payment processing is still required even with a sizable offline consumer base. Traditional banks may regard ECS/NACH management systems as an opportunity to take advantage of what appears to be a strong offline base of customers. By implementing these solutions, banks can turn what appears to be a barrier into a strategic advantage by using the potential of their existing client network for streamlined online payment transactions.
Unlike traditional automation, ECS/NACH management acts as a catalyst for initiating full-scale digital transformation efforts. This approach creates a favourable atmosphere for banks to continue on their digital transformation path without the weight of immediate legacy system constraints or offline customer transition challenges.
Exploration 2: Visionary Market Expansion Using VMI-Centric Loan Offerings
Challenges Borrowers Face with Conventional EMI Repayment Plans
Changes in interest rates have an impact on the overall loan term under a typical EMI repayment plan. When interest rates rise and fluctuate, the EMI amount may not be enough to cover the interest owed, resulting in an extension of the loan tenure. This extension may present difficulties for borrowers, particularly those who have taken long-term loans such as house loans and are now at or beyond their retirement age and no longer have a steady source of income.
Challenges Lenders Face with Conventional EMI Repayment Plans
The extended repayment period implies a longer exposure to market uncertainty, which may influence the lender's ability to accurately manage and anticipate their cash flows. Furthermore, the longer the loan period, the more likely changes in the economic landscape will occur, generating uncertainty in financial markets that might impair the lender's profitability.
Exploring VMI as an Adaptive Option for Loan Repayment for Borrowers & Lenders
A VMI, on the other hand, guarantees a set tenure, making it more responsive to variations in interest rates. Changes in interest rates are accommodated in a VMI structure by modifying the monthly instalment amount rather than extending the loan period. This makes the repayment structure more flexible and allows borrowers to adjust to interest rate swings without materially affecting the loan's overall term. Borrowers benefit from predictable monthly payments because the installment amounts are changed based on interest rate changes. This consistency can be especially useful for pensioners or people on fixed incomes who need to carefully plan their expenses.
Seizing Opportunities: VMI Offerings with Robust NACH Technology
Strategically, the incorporation of Variable Monthly Installments (VMI) into loan products, aided by improved NACH (National Automated Clearing House) administration technology, provides considerable benefits to banks. The comprehensive NACH administration software offers an effective framework for mandate management and real-time loan repayment tracking. Banks can confidently provide more VMI-based loan options over standard Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) arrangements with this technological assistance. VMIs' ability to adjust to fluctuations in interest rates without extending loan terms lets banks better manage their cash flows.
Furthermore, the regularity of monthly payments promotes consumer satisfaction and financial planning. This strategic alignment enables banks to attract a broader client base, particularly those interested in long-term loans such as home loans, which require consistency and flexibility in loan payments. Finally, by delivering innovative and customer-focused financial solutions, the combination of VMI and current NACH management technology boosts a bank's competitiveness.
Introducing CHASSIST: Revolutionizing NACH Management
For Traditional banks, CHASSIST stands out as a guiding force, offering an effective NACH management solution customized to meet their specific requirements. With the help of this software, traditional banks can overcome their technological obstacles and smoothly transition to full digitalization.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has always prioritized customer data privacy via strict regulations emphasizing the importance of specific authorization before any data exchange with third-party vendors. This emphasis on consent requires that banks most definitely continue to uphold customer trust by creating a safe IT Eco-system internally to protect sensitive information. Innovative banking technology products like Chassist play a critical role in this environment by allowing financial organizations to maintain in-house control over data management. Chassist enables banks to simplify their processes, minimize their dependency on third-party vendors, and maintain the highest levels of data security. Banks may not only comply with RBI rules by utilizing such cutting-edge technologies, but they can also strengthen their commitment to securing consumer data, therefore increasing trust and confidence in the banking industry.
Capability 1: Configurability and Legacy System Integration
One of the most difficult challenges for traditional banks is integrating new systems without disrupting existing workflows. CHASSIST distinguishes itself by allowing for simple configuration, ensuring a smooth integration with a traditional bank's legacy systems. This adaptability alleviates concerns about potential disruptions and enables a staged digital transformation.
Capability 2: Comprehensive ECS/NACH Mandate Management
CHASSIST is a comprehensive platform designed to manage NACH mandates and related transactions in near real-time. CHASSIST ensures faster and more accurate processing by leveraging advanced technologies such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The system manages the entire ECS/NACH mandate lifecycle, from registration to transaction workflows, all while maintaining document integrity and security via encryption.
Capability 3: Integration with NPCI's Mandate Management System
CHASSIST can integrate with the National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) Mandate Management System and Transaction Processing System to expand its capabilities. This integration simplifies operations by forming a unified ecosystem that improves the efficiency of NACH processes.
Modules for End-to-End Solutions
CHASSIST includes three vital modules that address the unique needs of traditional banks:
Module 1: End-to-End Mandate Management (Sponsor Bank):
Simplifying the mandate registration process for both banks and customers to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
Module 2: End-to-End Transaction Processing (Sponsor Bank):
Improving transaction workflows to facilitate bulk and repeatable transactions, thereby optimizing the lending process as a whole.
Module 3: Customized Reports and Management Information System (MIS):
Providing valuable insights through customized reports and Management Information System (MIS), allows banks to make informed decisions and effectively monitor performance.
Conclusion
CHASSIST is a strategic enabler for traditional banks looking to make a smooth transition to a fully digital lending landscape. By addressing legacy system challenges and catering to the needs of an offline customer base, CHASSIST paves the way for traditional banks to remain competitive and relevant in the future, eventually reaching the goal of 100% digital transformation.
Click the button below to schedule a demo with us.
We shall personally guide you through our NACH Management Solution CHASSIST.
About Us
SimSol your trusted partner in B2B banking solutions, pioneering technology solutions in the lending business, invites you to experience the Future of Banking technology!
We are an ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified organisation and specialize in providing world-class solutions for the following and are committed to ensuring attractive ROI on the investments.
Business Process Management
Enterprise Resource Planning
Business Intelligence
Knowledge Process Outsourcing
Our other suite of Banking Technology Products