Category: blog

  • HOW TO RECTIFY ERRORS IN YOUR CREDIT REPORT

    HOW TO RECTIFY ERRORS IN YOUR CREDIT REPORT

    Errors in credit reports can be a frequent phenomenon. It can range from incorrect personal details to wrong credit accounts. These errors will negatively impact your credit score while making it more difficult to obtain a loan or a credit card. Hence, it is essential to know how to rectify errors in your credit report. To avoid further problems, you should rectify the errors in your credit report as soon as possible.

    In general, a credit report provides a detailed summary of your credit history and repayment behavior. This report comprises personal information along with all your past and current credit cards and loan details. You can avail yourself of one free copy of a credit report from CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, and CRIF Highmark as per a 2017 mandate from the Reserve Bank of India. Furthermore, applicants can also make an annual, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly subscription to get their credit scores. Also, you can check your credit report via KenStone Capital.

    Whenever you request a credit report with credit scores, you will receive a detailed list of all credit-related transactions for the selected period of time. Any errors or false entries on a credit report can negatively impact the credit score of an individual. Hence, these credit reports must be closely monitored to ensure that the person’s credit score is not damaged.

    Before jumping into the process of rectifying errors in your credit report, it is essential to know about the types of errors that may be present in your credit report. Given below are some of the possible errors that can be part of any credit report:

    Incorrect personal details 

    The most common type of errors in any CIBIL report are personal details of the applicant, which include name, address, age, date of birth, PAN Card details, and other personal information.

    Duplicate account

    A duplicate account in the name of the applicant is another common error. Multiple accounts in the name of an applicant may exist, some of which may have a poor credit history. This type of account can adversely affect the CIBIL score of the applicants. Hence, it is highly recommended to identify such types of accounts.

    Incorrect balance

    To reflect the applicant’s true credit status, the applicant’s current outstanding balance and the actual amount due must match. This is yet another area where an error must be identified and corrected as soon as possible.

    Outstanding loans

    An applicant’s outstanding loans are important in determining his or her current credit score. If there is a mistake in disclosing the applicant’s outstanding balance or the terms of the loan, those errors must be reported right away to prevent any negative effects on credit scores.

    Non-updating of the current balance

    Another crucial error that needs to be rectified is that the applicant’s current balance is not correctly updated. This means that if the outstanding amount has been paid, the details in the CIBIL report must be revised. In general, there is a gap between the payment of the dues and the reflection of such payment in the credit report. This type of error must also be identified and corrected at the earliest.

    Let’s See The Various Steps Involved In Rectifying Errors In A Credit Report:

    Step 1:

    The first step is to log in to the CIBIL website and fill out an official online dispute form.

    Step 2:

    While filling out an online form, the applicant must provide all relevant information, such as the details of the error or fraudulent entry in the CIBIL report, as well as personal information. All of these details must be accurate and correct, according to the applicants.

    Step 3:

    Along with the abovementioned details, the applicant will also have to provide the 9-digit control number that can be used to identify the report with the disputed matter.

    Step 4:

    After filing the dispute application successfully, it will be forwarded to the corresponding lender or bank for the purpose of verification of the applicant’s claim.

    Step 5:

    Later, the lender will verify the applicant’s claim at their end, and if the claim of the errors is confirmed, the same will be notified to the CIBIL Bureau. CIBIL will then update the credit report to reflect the changes and will send a revised edition to the applicant. Through email, the applicant will be informed about the changes or rectifications in the credit report. This entire process of filing disputes and rectifying them is a lengthy process that will take 30 days.

    Bottom Line

    Rectifying errors on your credit report on time is crucial. It will help you boost your credit score and increase your chances of getting a loan or credit card. As a result, it’s a good idea to update your credit reports regularly and keep track of your credit score and the accuracy of the information on your credit report.

    Are you looking for Credit Score Improvement Services? Contact us

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1) Why is it important to regularly check my credit report for errors?

    Errors in your credit report, such as incorrect personal details or fraudulent accounts, can lower your credit score. A lower score makes it significantly harder to qualify for loans or credit cards and may result in higher interest rates. Regular monitoring allows you to catch and fix these issues before they impact your financial goals.

    2) How long does the credit report rectification process typically take?

    Once a dispute is filed, the credit bureau forwards the claim to the relevant bank or lender for verification. The entire process, from filing the dispute to receiving a revised credit report, generally takes approximately 30 days.

    3) Can I dispute errors directly with the credit bureau online?

    Yes. The most efficient way to start is by logging into the official CIBIL website and filling out the online dispute form. You will need to provide your personal information, the details of the error, and your 9-digit control number.

    4) What happens after the lender verifies my dispute claim?

    If the lender confirms that an error exists, they notify the credit bureau. The bureau then updates your records to reflect the accurate information and sends you an email notification along with a revised version of your credit report.

  • HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREDIT CAN BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

    HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREDIT CAN BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE?

    Most of the financial institutions check your credit score whenever you apply for a loan. Your CIBIL score provides a fair indication to the financial institution about your creditworthiness and repayment ability. As a result, if you have a good credit score, lenders will view you as a low-risk borrower and quickly approve your loan application.

    Furthermore, a good credit score will assist you in obtaining a higher loan amount at a lower interest rate. On the other hand, a poor credit score can reduce the chances of your loan approval. In general, there are several parameters that affect your CIBIL score. Among them one such important parameter is your credit mix.

    What is a Credit Mix?

    Simply put, the credit mix refers to the holding various types of credit accounts such as mortgages, loans, and credit cards. It’s a factor that’s usually taken into account when determining the credit scores. Having a diverse credit mix is beneficial to your CIBIL score. In general, credit mix determines 10% of a FICO score. Let’s see complete breakdown of credit mix:

    Here Are The Different Types Of Credit That Can Boost Your Credit Score

    Revolving Credit

    Revolving Credit is one of the most common forms of credit. It’s a credit line with no limit to how much you can borrow or when you can use it. It includes credit cards and home equity lines of credit, and it typically requires monthly payments as well as interest rates if the borrower owes money.

    If a borrower chooses revolving credit, the credit limit does not change as long as the borrower makes payments on the account. As long as the cumulative limit is not surpassed, a borrower will return to the account as much as he or she needs to borrow more money.

    Instalment Credit

    Instalment credit is a loan on which you make regular payments over a set period of time. It covers a wide range of loans, including student loans, mortgages, car loans, and personal loans. Like other types of credit, instalment loans will help you build and maintain good credit scores if you pay them on time. If you apply for an instalment loan, your credit scores will determine your interest rates and requirements.

    Open Credit

    Open credit is a more uncommon form of credit. It refers to accounts from which you can borrow up to a certain amount of money. However, the borrowed sum must be repaid in full each month. It’s typically associated to credit cards.

    Importance of Having Different Types of Credit

    Having different types of credit accounts is considered as one of the most common factors to measure credit scores. However, most of the customers are unaware of this. Having multiple credit accounts, such as a mortgage, personal loan, and credit card, shows lenders that you can handle multiple forms of debt at once. It also helps them to get a better picture of the borrower’s financial situation and ability to pay back the debt.

    Although having a less diverse credit portfolio does not always imply a lower credit score. Nearly 10% of credit scores are determined by credit mix, which could be a key factor in achieving a high score.

    How Does a Good Credit Mix Help in Boosting your Credit Score?

    When you have both instalment and revolving credit, you have a good credit mix. For example, you have a credit card, a personal loan, and an auto loan under your name. And you’re making the monthly fixed payments on your instalment credits, and you’re using your credit card at a 30 percent utilization rate (though you may use more, which isn’t optimal and may be a risk factor for your profile in near future).

    So, if you have a credit card, it should be used properly and, if payments are made on time, it will help to improve your credit score. It will also allow the lender to see and be assured about how well you have managed your credit accounts. Furthermore, it will build trust in lender’s eye and thus they will report good credit behaviour to Credit agencies. This will help the credit agency in analyzing your credit report and will also provide you a detailed report on the way you have handled your credit accounts.

    Bottom Line

    Before applying for any of the additional credit accounts, you must be aware about the purpose behind availing the credit. A good mix of credit accounts along with timely repayment will show the lenders that you are financially responsible. On the other hand, if you fail to repay the borrowed amount on time, your credit score will be impacted negatively.

    Hence, to maintain a healthy credit score, you must keep reviewing your credit and keep a track on your credit report. Also, you should be aware of your credit score before applying for any kind of loan. Hence, it is highly recommended to check your free Cibil score and keep track of your records.

  • TOP 7 SIGNS OF CREDIT CARD ADDICTION

    TOP 7 SIGNS OF CREDIT CARD ADDICTION

    Addictions to alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, drugs, and other substances are few examples of common addictions among people. The newest addition to this list of addictions, believe it or not, is Credit card addiction. Yes, you heard that right! Credit Cards can be addictive. But what happens when this magic plastic is no longer available? Although there is nothing wrong with swiping your card unless it goes out of hand and the person gets addicted to it.

    Here are a few indicators that will help you find out whether you are addicted to the credit cards or not.

    Exhausting Your Credit Card Limit Frequently

    In case of a financial emergency, credit cards can be your lifesavers which allow you to manage a minor financial crisis without relying on others for help. So, if your credit card is maxed out once in a while, it’s not really a warning sign.

    But, whenever your month-on-month bill exceeds your maximum spending limit is a sure sign of worry. If you find yourself in this position frequently, it’s time to figure out where your money is going, whats your spending pattern is, and whether you’re buying on impulse. Moreover, a high credit utilisation ratio negatively impacts the CIBIL score.

    Hiding Your Credit Card Bills

    Even though you are not a very secretive person, you are wary of disclosing your credit card debt to family members. The fear of being criticized by others for your absurdly large debt incurred as a result of careless Credit Card usage causes you to keep your Credit Card debt as secret.  Sometimes you’re so scared of checking your bill statement that you’d keep it hidden from yourself as well!

    You’re in Denial

    One of the most noticeable signs that you’re addicted to credit cards is denial. If you have no idea about how much your outstanding balances are and just sending in the bare minimum payments per month, then consider that – you’re still in denial.

    Appling For New Credit Cards

    Even though your wallet is heavy with the weight of many Credit Cards, you’ll get this compulsive desire to own a new Credit Card with enticing deals and rewards. Some credit card addicts keep applying for new cards, when they run out of cash and all of their existing cards are maxed out. (This does not guarantee that they will be considered for another one.) If you find yourself applying for any other Credit Card on the market, whether it’s due to a cash shortage or exciting bonuses, you’re a Credit Card addict.

    Zero Savings

    If you spend every paisa you earn on living expenses and have no money set aside for savings or investments, you’re probably living the high life with the aid of a shiny piece of plastic. Even if you’re paying your bills on time and there haven’t been any signs of over-leverage so far, it’s still not a healthy situation to be in. Spending all of your money on your regular needs and the majority of it on credit card payments indicates that you have a credit card addiction which will be considered as a bad financial health condition.

    Borrowing To Pay

    If you’re having trouble keeping up with your daily expenses and need to borrow money from family and friends to stay alive and pay your bills, you can be sure it’s because of your credit addiction. Moreover, some people may take out personal loans or other desperate measures to pay their bills without checking their expenses.

    Ignoring The Increase In APR%

    A typical credit card customer would be concerned if the APR percent on their card rises, as no one wants to pay a high interest rate. However, your interest for swiping credit cards is so high that you seem to overlook the skyrocketing interest rates. If you’re a credit card addict, you don’t mind paying extra interest on your credit card bills, and you keep track of your balance by paying only the minimum amount due.

    Conclusion

    In an outline, it is important to control your credit card usage not only for your CIBIL score but also to reduce credit card addiction in your life. Identifying the signs of credit addiction and find possible solutions at the earliest is highly essential. If you have trouble dealing with your credit card addiction and are looking for best-in-class credit solutions, you can approach KenStone Capital. At, KenStone Capital, we suggest a way to deal with your debt trap and can help you improve your credit health and increase your credit score in the long run.

  • HOW TO FIX ERRORS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT

    HOW TO FIX ERRORS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT

    Checking your credit score and analyzing your credit report are two key steps in maintaining or improving your credit score. If you find that your credit score has dropped, it’s important to examine your credit report carefully and figure out the cause behind it. Sometimes, you could discover a delinquent account bringing your credit score down or a mistake on your report, or fraudulent behavior. If you’ve noticed any of these errors in your credit report, it’s essential to fix them as soon as possible. Even if your credit score remains stable, it’s a good idea to go through your entire credit report once a year to ensure everything is right.

    What is Credit Report?

    A credit report is a consolidated financial report that contains the consumer’s CIBIL Score and credit summary, as well as personal details, contact information, employment data, and loan account information. Banks and other financial institutions use credit reports as one of the most important factors when extending credit or loans.

    Any incorrect details or mistakes on your credit report will negatively impact your ability to obtain credit in the future. Hence, it’s crucial to double-check your credit report for mistakes.

    Note: It is important to note that lenders consider both the CIBIL Score and Report to assess a person’s loan eligibility.

    What Are The Different Types Of Errors In CIBIL Report And How To Identify Those Errors?

    There are two types of errors that might be present in your CIBIL report i.e., minor or major. A minor error may be as simple as a misspelled name or an incorrect date of birth. These errors are easier to resolve. The main concern is the second form of mistake, which may be anything as extreme as a loan that was incorrectly credited or an outstanding credit balance.

    In such circumstances, there would be a sudden drop in your CIBIL Score and it may create serious issues while applying for loan or credit. Hence, take a first move by visiting the CIBIL website and download your credit report. After you’ve successfully downloaded your credit details report, check for the following potential errors:

    Incorrect balance: It’s important to double-check your credit report’s current credit balance, which must match the actual outstanding balance on your credit card or loan. This form of error in your CIBIL report should be taken into consideration because most of the people might overlook it.

    Inaccurate personal information: There are often errors in the applicant’s name, gender, address, or even contact details. While reviewing the CIBIL report, make sure to check it thoroughly and double-check that each entry is correct. You can also double-check that the PAN card number and the Aadhaar card numbers are correctly updated.

    Current balance not updated: The most common error in a credit report is the outdated current balance of the applicant. For example, when you pay your loan or credit, there will be always a gap between the time of payment and the submission of your credit history to the CIBIL agency. Due to this time lapse, these errors are going to be visible in your cibil report.

    Incorrect overdue: The amount you owe your loan or credit card provider is referred to as overdue. There may be incorrect references of overdue for loans that you did not take. As a result, it is important that you carefully read the report to identify any such incorrect overdues, as they can have a negative effect on your CIBIL score.

    Outstanding loans: While reviewing your CIBIL report, you must go through the section of the outstanding loans or the amount that you are due to pay and ensure that the numbers are mentioned correctly. If there are any variations in the amount, you could be classified as a loan defaulter.

    Duplicate account: Sometimes, there may be several accounts registered under your name on the CIBIL report. If you don’t own those accounts, you should consider it as a major error as they may impact your credit score.

    In addition to these, look for dates, numbers, and parties that are inaccurate to ensure that all of the details in your CIBIL report are valid and accurate. However, if any of the above issues have been found in your report, you must start the process of addressing them as soon as possible.

    Let’s See How To File A CIBIL Dispute Request

    To file a dispute, customers must fill the online dispute form, which is available for free on the official CIBIL website. Customers must have a control number to use this service. This control number will be available in top right of the credit report. With the help of control number, CIBIL can identify the credit report (about which the customer has raised a dispute).

    Following the submission of the online dispute form, CIBIL will double-check all the details with the concerned banks. Once the form is submitted, customers will receive an email update on the status of their request (dispute). Later if the dispute is resolved, customers will receive an updated report. If customers are dissatisfied with the outcome of the first dispute request, they may file a second one. Also, customers can write directly to Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd, Hoechst House, 6th Floor, 193, Backbay Reclamation, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

    Resolution

    The Credit Information Report cannot be modified by CIBIL (CIR). All disputes are forwarded to a credit agency, which determines if the claim is valid. The credit report will then be revised after the modifications have been checked by the concerned credit institution. Whenever a dispute is settled, the customer is informed.

    CIBIL takes up to 30 days to settle any dispute, depending on how long the credit institution takes to respond with the necessary details. After receiving information from a credit institution, CIBIL typically takes seven days to update the details. Customers can request a new credit report after CIBIL has corrected all mistakes, according to experts.

    FAQs on How to Resolve Credit Report Errors

    How do I know when to report an error on my CIBIL score report?

    Once you’ve found the error, review your credit bureau reports from Equifax, CRIF Highmark, and Experian to see if it’s visible in one or more of them. If the same error appears on all four credit reports, the lender made a mistake. The problem may be related to a particular bureau, and that bureau must be informed the same.

    How many days it will take to resolve errors in the CIBIL report?

    Most of the credit institutions will submit data/ information to CIBIL for every 30 to 45 days. If you file a dispute with CIBIL, it might take nearly 30 days for issue to be resolved. By filing a complaint with the appropriate credit bureau, you will get your errors corrected. It will then check this information with the credit institution, and changes will be made after authentication.

    Why is it essential to resolve errors that appear on my credit report?

    It is necessary to identify and correct errors in your CIBIL report in order to maintain a healthy credit profile and a strong credit score. Any error that is not fixed will cause your credit score to drop.

    How  can I file a dispute with CIBIL regarding my credit report?

    By registering on the MyCIBIL portal, you can file a complaint with CIBIL. You can then access your CIBIL report and submit requests via the TransUnion CIBIL website.

  • REBUILD YOUR CREDIT SCORE AFTER BANKRUPTCY

    REBUILD YOUR CREDIT SCORE AFTER BANKRUPTCY

    Bankruptcy is a term refers to the legal process involving an individual or business that is unable to pay their outstanding debts. It could happen if you have undergone a significant loss in your business, lost a job, or been paralyzed or handicapped due to an accident. When a person files for bankruptcy, his CIBIL score decreases, and having a low CIBIL score makes it almost impossible to obtain an additional credit.

    Although bankruptcy is a complex legal process which can create a negative impact on your credit, but the good news is – no matter how much damage is done to your credit, it won’t last forever on your credit report. In general, bankruptcy remains on your credit report for seven to ten years, but its effect diminishes over time. Meanwhile, by taking the following proactive steps, you can start enhancing your credit right away.

    Take The Following Measures To Rebuild Your CIBIL Score

    Building excellent credit after a bankruptcy requires maintaining good financial habits. Your credit will recover from any setback if you follow these principles:

    Check Your Credit Report

    As we all know, bankruptcy can seriously damage your credit report, but there could be errors that make even worse than it is. For example, debt that is listed as active or late rather than discharged can harm your credit more. Hence, it is highly recommended to check your free credit reports after bankruptcy. If you find an error, you can report it as soon as possible. We at KenStone Capital can assist you in getting bankruptcy-related things removed from your credit report.

    Most of the customers may find unfair credit reporting and outright inaccuracies. Hence, make sure that your previous bankruptcy should not appear on your credit report after seven or ten years.

    Pay Your Bills On Time

    Paying all of your bills on time is an important aspect of rebuilding your credit score. Paying your bills on time, such as your credit card and Consumer durable loans, helps you avoid late fees and keeps your accounts from going to collections.

    In general, payment history accounts to 35 percent of the CIBIL score. You may instruct the bank to make payments on your behalf by setting up a standing order, ensuring that you do not miss or make a late payment.

    Apply For a Secured Credit Card

    It’s usually harder to get new credit after bankruptcy due to higher interest rates and fees. However, it will help you to develop new credit after bankruptcy and demonstrates that you’re a responsible lender. Hence, it is highly recommended to apply for new secured credit card to start rebuilding your CIBIL Score.

    Apply for a secured credit card: Secured credit cards are those that are issued in exchange for a fixed deposit. The credit limit is based on a percentage of your fixed deposit amount. This will help you in optimizing your CIBIL score, and if you have the credit card, make sure that you not only make all of your payments on time, but that you can use it consistently, remain within your credit limit, and make your monthly payments on time. Never allow a late payment or default on other loans and make sure to use the credit card very often to enhance your credit score.

    Take a Car Loan

    After clearing bankruptcy, consider taking a car loan after one or two years. Purchase a vehicle within your budget and make sure to avail an affordable car loan that can be paid off easily. As most of the lenders can charge a high interest rate, check around and get quotes from different banks and non-bank financial institutions.

    Stay Within Your Credit Limits

    It is important that you remain within your credit limits once you have re-established credit. Maintain a low credit balance by paying off your debts on time and not missing on any payments can eventually helps you to rebuild your CIBIL score.

    Avoid Job-Hopping

    Although frequent job changes won’t affect your credit score, but lenders look at your credit report more often when you submit an application, especially after a bankruptcy. They want to know that you have a consistent source of income and that you will be able to repay the loan.

    A lender or bank considers your salary, work history in the previous 24 months, credit score, and other considerations when reviewing your application for new credit or a loan. Having a stable job is advantageous because it increases the lender’s trust in your ability to repay the loan even after bankruptcy.

    Make Your New Credit Card Payments on Time

    Payments made on time and in a constructive way are the two factors that have the greatest impact on your credit score. Be sure you make your monthly payments on time when you get a new credit card, whether it’s secured or unsecured. To avoid going into debt again, it’s always better to pay the balance in full.

    Don’t Close The Accounts

    Staying off your credit cards may seem to be a good idea, but it will further damage your credit score. When you close a credit card, you are reducing the amount of credit you have available, which lowers your credit score even further.

    Instead of vowing to never use credit again, concentrate on using credit cards and loans sparingly, while making all of your payments on time, and keeping track of your credit information on a regular basis. Together, these steps will help you re-establish good credit within a few years of filing for bankruptcy.

    Bankruptcy can be a stressful situation as well as a financial nightmare. However, with patience and some well-informed decisions, you can repair the damage to your credit report and CIBIL score. Ensure on-time payments, secure small and secured loans, repay regularly, and stay well within your credit limits, and your CIBIL score will improve quickly.

  • 10 ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE FACTS: EVERY B2B COMPANY TO KNOW

    10 ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE FACTS: EVERY B2B COMPANY TO KNOW

    Accounts Receivable Management plays a significant role in shaping your business and is responsible for making sure your company gets paid for its goods and services. A company with effective accounts receivable management is like a well-oiled machine and can enhance communication with customers and get the company paid fast. On the other hand, inefficient accounts receivable management can always leads to wastage of company’s working capital. Hence, you need an effective way to deal with slow or non-paying customers; otherwise outstanding receivables will snowball out of control.

    Due to the extended lockdown, most of the b2b companies have been impacted with reduced cash flow. Given the costs of making, printing, and sending paper invoices, it’s clear to see how accounts receivable departments consume a significant portion of a company’s budget: up to 2% of total revenue. Furthermore, two-thirds of a company’s budget consumes by accounts receivable processes and its operations.

    Given Kenstone Capital experience working with various B2B companies and studying various nation-wide reports, we understand – it is crucial to know about accounts receivable facts to manage it better. Here are 10 facts about accounts receivable management that show the value of optimizing your accounts receivable.

    1. Most of the medium to large enterprises extended relaxed payment terms. The Average Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) in India is close to 70 days.
    2. India has the highest DSO in Asia Pacific region. On an average, total 55% of B2B invoices in India were reported to be paid late. ( Atradius )
    3. 61% of late payments are due to various compliance and administrative problems such as incorrect invoices or receiving the invoice too late to process payment on established credit terms ( Credit Research Foundation )
    4. 27% of Financial executives stated that customers didn’t pay their debts on time because they either didn’t have the money or they were unable to contact the customer to resolve the issue ( CFO.com )
    5. 26% of invoices are uncollectable due to 3 months old. This increases to 70% uncollectable invoices at six months and 90% uncollectable at 12 months.
    6. In India 94% of respondents reported late payment of invoices by domestic and foreign B2B customers ( Atradius )
    7. 60% customers pay on time or around due date because they were reminded and their invoices related issues were resolved in early time.
    8. 2 out of 5 Indian suppliers wrote off their receivables as uncollectable due to high collection costs ( Atradius )
    9. Across various industries, with 2.7% to 4% of topline being uncollectable, India is one country with highest proportion of B2B receivables written off as uncollectable.
    10. As a consequence of late payments done by B2B customers, 45% of India suppliers had to take specific measures to correct cash flow. ( Atradius )

    All of these statistics point to central theme –“late payments from customers”. To avoid these types of situations, businesses must speed up process and establish strategies to remind customers about their payments. An effective way for companies to ensure all these tasks get done is to adapt better accounts receivable processes that deal with this reality.

    Wrapping Up

    One of the reasons limiting your businesses from being paid on time is manual processes. Hence, by digitizing and automating your accounts receivable processes, you can reduce the time it takes to get paid on average. We at Kenstone Capital recently launched – an automated software solution for account receivables which can remove all the common obstacles that prevent today’s businesses from collecting receivables in a timely manner. From invoice delivery to cash application, our AR solution automates the areas of account receivable management that matter most to your business.

    Ultimately, improving accounts receivable not only reduces average payment time and improves cash flow, but it also improves customer satisfaction. By investing less time on manual, repetitive tasks, accounts receivable staff may invest more time on higher-value activities and put more effort in building effective customer relations.

  • 6 TIPS FOR HANDLING NON-PAYING AND LATE-PAYING CUSTOMERS

    6 TIPS FOR HANDLING NON-PAYING AND LATE-PAYING CUSTOMERS

    If your business operates on an invoicing system, you’re probably familiar with late payments and even non-payment. Customers don’t pay invoices on time for a number of reasons, ranging from lost bills to unexpected additional expenses that customers know they can’t afford. Many small business owners are intrigued as to how to politely seek overdue payment. An unpaid invoice, regardless of the circumstances, hurts your business. If you want to keep your cash flow stable, you must take action; being transparent with customers and having some backup strategies on hand are essential.

    Here are some tips for how to handle late-paying and non-paying customers:

    1. HAVE A WRITTEN CREDIT POLICY

    Always have a written credit policy and stick to it to manage your risk. Be consistent in extending credit and payment terms. The best way to avoid defaulted payments is to perform due diligence before extending credit.

    2. MAINTAIN DETAILED RECORDS

    Invoice disputes are often triggered by unclear or incomplete invoices. To reduce errors, use an invoice template that includes all required details. Also, maintain detailed records in case you end up sending it to collections. In addition to that, offer options such as electronic payments and other automated payments to make it easier for customers to pay.

    3. CHARGE LATE FEES

    No one wants to pay a late charge, but setting one up ahead of time will help customers avoid paying their bills late. Establish a framework that is backed by a regulation or collection of terms & conditions. For example, if you don’t pay within five days, you’ll get a warning; if you don’t pay within ten days, you’ll get a late fee; and if you don’t pay within twenty days, you’ll lose service – according to gGordano

    4. SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN

    If a customer is experiencing cash flow issues and can’t afford to pay the invoice in full right away, setting up a payment plan can help you get paid. Negotiate a sum that the customer can handle as part of the payment plan, as well as the period of time that payments will be made.

    5. SEND POLITE REMINDERS

    If a client’s payment is overdue, then you need to send a friendly reminder email as soon as possible. To improve your chances of being paid, you can use a payment reminder email template. Notify the customer that the invoice is past due and have a payment deadline. Remind them of the payment options you accept, as well as any late fees that might be included in your terms of payment. For reference, attach the initial invoice to the email.

    6. HIRE A COLLECTION AGENCY

    Consider hiring a Debt collection agency to help you escalate the situation and get outside help collecting your money. Collection companies are usually effective in obtaining money from debtors, and are viable choice for recovering some of the funds owed to you. If you are looking to hire a collection agency, make sure it’s a reputable firm and get your invoices paid.

  • HOW AI & ML TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCING THE PROCESS OF DEBT COLLECTION

    HOW AI & ML TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCING THE PROCESS OF DEBT COLLECTION

    Collecting past- due debts has become the common challenge for most of the businesses. Tracking down unpaid debts is yet another critical task that should be applied to a long list. When it comes to chasing off unpaid B2B payments, you need to rely on mails and telecommunication to derive payments from customers, while managing the data over excel files.

    In most of the cases, debt collections strategies remain complex, ineffective and outdated. In today’s fast-paced digital world, customers prefer flexibility, accessibility and choice. To settle and recover a loan, lenders must formulate proactive and well-considered debt collection strategies. A well-thought debt collection strategy aided by technology would save time, reduce costs, and optimize resource efficiency.

    This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) come into the spotlight. Over the past couple of years, debt collection industry has been disrupted by AI and ML. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies have become the center piece of strategic decision making for most of the organizations. It enables businesses to optimize their debt collection strategy and reduce average days sales outstanding (DSO).

    Let’s see how AI and ML optimizing the Debt Collection Process:

    1. PREDICTION OF DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS

    According to the recent studies, one of the key factors for accounts being overdue is the inability of lending institutions to recognize stressed accounts that are likely to default. The AI platform analyzes hundreds of parameters of structured and unstructured data in real time to predict who is likely to default and thus warn the lender. Thus, lenders will be able to develop recovery plans and follow-up on such customers and thereby recover the loan, while enhancing the customer experience.

    2. UNDERSTANDING AND CATEGORIZING BORROWERS

    AI and machine learning have the potential to transform how lenders understand their borrowers. Unlike the conventional model, which categorizes borrowers by industry, data-driven machine learning will illustrate what makes a borrower unique within specific market segments.

    Through AI and machine learning, lenders can build a strong customer profile to identify which borrowers are likely to resolve delinquencies on their own and which need proactive approach, such as loan restructuring or modified repayment terms. As AI continues to identify and segment the account profiles based on the intent and borrower risk, lenders have been started evaluating clients based on their individual attributes rather than specific business segments.

    3. DEFINING A COLLECTION STRATEGY AND ENHANCING COMPLIANCE

    Most of the financial institutions develop collection strategies that are specific to their particular business objectives and IT infrastructure. Depending on their digital expertise, they build and incorporate more complex recovery models using in-house data and resources or with third-party assistance.

    Regardless of approach, AI based collections platform helps businesses to identify the best times and channels to contact consumers. This process results in higher retention and repayment rates than repetitive phone calls.

    4. PERSONALIZING CUSTOMER INTERACTION

    Obtaining and tracking costumer data from different sources is a time-consuming process. However, this is essential for successful debt collection. For example, a customer’s bank account unexpectedly stops receiving salary payments, implying a job transfer or even a job loss. Such information can be used by the collection department to contact the customer and provide proactive financial assistance.

    During these circumstances, financial institutions can use machine learning to conduct a consumer profile review and determine the most suitable mitigation technique for particular consumers, such as delinquent mortgage or motor vehicle customers, to avoid loss of ownership. After that, intelligent bots can be deployed to carry out the chosen strategy.

    Bottom Line

    As AI and machine learning continue to modernize debt collection, both lenders and borrowers can see substantial benefits. The enhanced ability to understand, identify and interact with borrowers can reduce exposure to losses by effectively addressing past-due accounts. Furthermore, more proactive and effective customer outreach will assist both household and company creditors in better managing debt in order to reduce defaults, avoid additional penalties, credit markdowns, and potential insolvency.

  • UPDATION IN CIBIL SCORE BORROWER’S STATUTORY RIGHT; CREDIT INFORMATION COMPANIES MUST CONSIDER OBJECTIONS: KERALA HIGH COURT.

    UPDATION IN CIBIL SCORE BORROWER’S STATUTORY RIGHT; CREDIT INFORMATION COMPANIES MUST CONSIDER OBJECTIONS: KERALA HIGH COURT.

    On 23rd January this year, the Kerala high court announced that credit information companies have to update the CIBIL score. They need to update the borrower’s request and have named it a statutory right of the borrower. Make your dreams come true with the lord of the ocean slot. This new law has made credit information companies legally bound to consider objections of the borrower or debtor against the rating given to them. CIBIL Score is a national ranking system for MSME and many credit information companies, and lenders consider the Score of any MSME before lending them capital.

    Justice N Nagaresh decided on a single bench in Sujith Prasad and The Reserve Bank of India. People consider the decision as a significant pronouncement. The court referred to section 21(3) of the constitution, making it mandatory for all credit information companies to update the CIBIL Score information by making appropriate additions or deletions on the debtor’s request. Credit Information companies have formed under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act of 2005and get protected by the same law.

    The court enforced this law as credit ratings have many civil consequences, even to the level of impacting the debtor’s financial credibility. It is why the court has asked the credit information companies to consider objections raised by the borrowers. We have stated the court below:

    “Since credit score given by the credit information companies like the 3rd respondent can have adverse severe Civil consequences on individuals, the 3rd respondent is bound to ascertain the actual state of affairs with its member-banks/financial institutions, whenever individuals point out any anomaly. Updation of credit information statutory right of a borrower or client of a credit Institution, in view of Section 21(3) of the act, 2005.”

    The court announced while considering the petition filed by a lawyer who reported that adverse CIBIL reports given by the ICICI Bank Ltd aggrieved him. He submitted the petition saying that the CIBIL reports didn’t update the fact that he had cleared the loan amounts.

    The credit information company that the bank has associated with, the TransUnion CIBIL Limited, on its defense, said that it merely enters information given to it by banks. As it acts only as a repository of information, there is no legal bound for it to ascertain the correctness of the information given to it by the banks, the company said.

    However, the court held that the CIBIL agency must verify the information if the borrower objects. You must understand that a credit score is a numerical expression after analyzing the individual’s credit history.

    Thus one can say it represents the creditworthiness of the individual. You can find the credit scores put to use at financial credit institutions such as banks to consider and evaluate the risk involved in lending money to that individual or, in that case, any consumer. Credit scores also help to mitigate loans due to bad debt. Hence the credit score can either have a very positive or negative effect on the individual’s credibility.

    In the case reported at the Kerala court, the court took into account that the CIBIL Company had instantly forwarded the petitioner’s grievances to the bank. But the bank had not responded to the petitioner.

    Keeping in view the borrower’s statutory right in updating the CIBIL Score, the court commanded the ICICI Bank to respond to the CIBIL Agency’s mail and seek confirmation on the petitioner’s complete account details within two weeks.

    The court also mentioned that the 3rd respondent, the CIBIL Company, must make changes on the petitioner’s credit report if the court finds them to have warranted based on information provided by the 2nd respondent, the bank, without any further delay.

  • WHAT IS CIBIL MSME RANK?

    WHAT IS CIBIL MSME RANK?

    When it comes down to running an enterprise, funding is the most crucial aspect. Without adequate funds, a business enterprise can’t survive. The funds that the company would manage to gather will determine how it will run ahead. So at times, it becomes necessary for the owners of such enterprises to seek loans from banks.

    MSMEs refer to Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises. These enterprises have a rank they figure in among the list alongside other similar enterprises. This ranking determines their credibility concerning getting loans. This rank is the CIBIL MSME RANK.

    It is the role of the TransUnion CIBIL to prepare such a list of rankings. Their work in this arena makes them famous, where they provide a list of such enterprises to the various banks and loan granting authorities. Banks and other loan granting powers make use of this list to determine the credibility of the borrowers. The TransUnion CIBIL company had introduced this list in the year 2018. Besides dealing with individual organizations, it deals with Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises as well.

    The CIBIL MSME rank helps the banks, financial institutions, and various other legal loan lenders to judge the borrowers of MSMEs in terms of their economic history and creditworthiness. The higher the rank, the more the chances of getting their loans granted.

    The ranking of the MSMEs is from 1 to 10. The MSMEs that have a rank of 1 find it easy to get their loans approved by the financial lending authorities. On the other hand, the MSMEs, which have their name in the 10th rank, finds it extremely difficult to squeeze a loan out of the banks.

    There are innumerable examples where bad loans are lent out to various MSMEs. Such MSMEs take loans of a significant amount from the banks or other lending authorities. Later their inability to pay back the loan due to their limited or insufficient financial back up results in a bad loan. So the authorities have to be very speculative about giving out loans.

    But with the coming of such a ranking policy, things are on the path of change for good. The CIBIL MSME rank of an MSME makes it easier for the lending authority to figure out whether they should approve the loan or deny it.

    Several lending authorities have come up with favorable policies in this scenario. On the one hand, they give out loans to the various MSMEs to help them meet their capital requirements, and on the other hand, they provide them with a reasonable time limit and a favorable returning policy.

    It makes it easy for enterprises to repay their loans over time. Flexible repayment options over 12 to 60 months are a huge benefit.

    Algorithms help in finding out the ranks. After analyzing the algorithmic data, loans are up for approval.

    The CIBIL MSME rank helps the authorities to predict whether the MSME will turn into an NPA (Non-Performing Asset) within a year. It also facilitates commercial borrowings from Rs.10 lakhs to almost Rs.10 crores. The credit history of the borrowing enterprise is also at the forefront.

    We hope that you can educate yourself about the CIBIL MSME rank and its working in a simple manner through the above information. Wishing that you also get through this ranking successfully! According to a credit information firm, MSME loans worth Rs 2.32 lakh crore are at a high risk of becoming non-performing assets (NPA) as they are in the highest risk category of 7 to 10 TransUnion Cibil.