Kolkata has maximum borrowers in 35 plus yrs bracket

More than 70 per cent of credit seekers are less than 35 years of age in Bangalore, while Kolkata has the maximum number of borrowers who are above 35 years, according to credit tracking agency CIBIL. CIBIL data showed that auto loans were the most enquired product, contributing 20 per cent of all enquiries, followed by credit cards. According to an analysis by the Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd (CIBIL), all India figures as on November 2012 show that more than 50 per cent of applicants for new credit are less than 35 years of age. "While in a city like Bangalore, more than 70 per cent of credit applicants are less than 35 years of age, Kolkata has the highest percentage of borrowers who are more than 35 years of age - only 49 per cent in Kolkata are less than 35 years of age," CIBIL managing director Arun Thukral told reporters here. Thukral said that lenders now consider CIBIL score as a crucial parameter before extending loans to individuals and data show that there has been a reduction in delinquencies over the past three years. "CIBIL credit information report and CIBIL TransUnion Score are leveraged for credit decisioning by every large credit institution in India. It reduces non-performing assets and improves profitability of credit institutions," he said. "Moreover, increased usage of the CIBIL report and score largely benefits borrowers who are financially disciplined as they can obtain credit at better terms". Thukral further said that post the financial crisis, financial institutions are making more enquiries about credit profile of entities and there has been a shift in their credit extending behaviour. "Earlier, banks used to give loans to borrowers with a score of around 600 out of 900 in the CIBIL profile rating, but now they prefer those with a rating of above 800. Sixty per cent of loans are given to people with 800 plus score," he said. CIBIL data showed that auto loans were the most enquired product, contributing 20 per cent of all enquiries, followed by credit cards. "The quarter-on-quarter trends on credit activity also revealed that for the first tome in Q4, 2012, credit cards and personal loans showed an increase in percent contribution to total credit applications indicating that the demand for unsecured loans is on a rise," he said. CIBIL maintains credit information of more than 22 crore consumers and one lakh businesses. CIBIL score helps borrowers gauge their current financial position and improve their chances of acquiring a loan.