CIBIL REPORT A TOOL FOR EXERCISING PROPER DUE DILIGENCE

It is the main business of Banks to lend the public money to earn profits. Borrowers who borrowed money from Banks may forget to repay the loan in time due to various reasons.

- D. Surendranath

This forces the Banks to think carefully before taking a credit decision. In this situation, banks like to sanction loans or credit cards to those who they feel credit worthy. Due diligence is nothing but verification of facts before considering a proposal for credit facility. Function of a Branch Manager is not only to increase the volume of assets but also to keep them secure and in Standard category.

Exercising due diligence is all the most important before sanction of a loan as the loan amount with interest are to be recovered within the stipulated time. Due diligence begins right from identifying the prospective borrower and ends with the repayment in full. Due diligence is process of verification of facts and figures to take an appropriate credit decision. Due diligence is continuous process starting with the interaction with the prospective borrower and end with repayment of loan.

To make the due diligence process more effective, branch officials can adhere the below mentioned points

o Interaction with the prospective borrower informally to know basic details of the borrower and activity.

o Application in proper format specific for the activity. It is an offer document and a basis of agreement between the Bank and the customer

o Scrutiny of the application thoroughly so that it may be ensured that applicant had filled all relevant columns and also submitted all necessary enclosures

o At this juncture, credit report is to be generated, read and interpreted properly before taking a credit decision

In our country there are four companies registered with RBI that provide credit information about the prospective borrower. 1. Credit information Bureau (India) Limited,