Rapid industrialisation. An expanding economy. Growing aspirations. Increased incomes. Improved lifestyles. Availability of high quality products and services. An expanding market.

These factors have created an atmosphere conducive to rapid credit off take. While the demand for credit has risen exponentially, there has been a parallel increase in competition, and credit delinquencies. In such an environment, risk assessment is of critical importance. Not only, in deciding on what business to book and the speed at which a credit grantor does so, but also in determining the appropriate pricing.

Comprehensive credit information, which provides details pertaining to credit facilities already availed of by a borrower as well as his payment track record, has become the need of the hour.

The answer took shape when the Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) was incorporated in 2000.

CIBIL’s aim is to fulfill the need of credit granting institutions for comprehensive credit information by collecting, collating and disseminating credit information pertaining to both commercial and consumer borrowers, to a closed user group of Members. Banks, Financial Institutions, Non Banking Financial Companies, Housing Finance Companies and Credit Card Companies use CIBIL’s services. Data sharing is based on the Principle of Reciprocity, which means that only Members who have submitted all their credit data, may access Credit Information Reports from CIBIL. The relationship between CIBIL and its Members is that of close interdependence.

The establishment of CIBIL is an effort made by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to improve the functionality and stability of the Indian financial system by containing NPAs while improving credit grantors’ portfolio quality. CIBIL provides a vital service, which allows its Members to make informed, objective and faster credit decisions.