Microloans win in the short program

Against the background of the crisis, the need of citizens for borrowed funds is growing, and microfinance organizations (MFIs) satisfy it much faster than banks. Less dependent on the key rate, accustomed to more risk, and less affected by the sanctions, MFIs have significantly increased lending. At the same time, the segment focuses on short and small loans, which allows minimizing risks in an unstable situation. However, experts and market participants are looking at the future with caution and are waiting for the inevitable return of customers to banks.

“Kommersant” got acquainted with the study “Expert RAO”, dedicated to the results of the first half of the year in the microfinance market. It notes that after the spring “paralysis” that arose against the backdrop of the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine and several rounds of tough sanctions against the Russian Federation, MFI loans are being restored faster than bank lending.

So, if the portfolio of consumer loans in banks decreased by 2% in the first half of the year, then the volume of loans issued by MFIs increased by almost 20%.

The issuance of bank consumer loans decreased by more than 40% over the reporting period, and the issuance of microloans over the same period showed an increase of more than 25%, analysts of Expert RA emphasize.

This happened against the backdrop of growing demand for debt financing: real incomes of the population fell, and inflationary expectations led to a boom in demand for basic necessities and durable goods. Under these conditions, the largest increase was shown by online payday microloans and products for two to three months at the maximum allowable rates, the study notes.

At the same time, the average size of the issued loan decreased, Leonid Kornilov, head of the board of directors of the Finbridge group, adds, “under the current conditions, this is an effective tool to influence the quality and quantity of loans.”

According to the Unicom24 financial ecosystem, the average amount of a microloan is 8–10 thousand rubles. at a request of 16-20 thousand rubles.

“After the shock, microfinancers revised their risk appetite faster than banks. A significant capital buffer of MFIs, as well as a short average loan term, significantly less dependence on the key rate, allow MFIs to revise their lending policy more quickly, unlike banks,” the study explains.

According to the results of the year, the increase in the portfolio of MFOs can be up to 30%, Expert RA is sure. Mostly it will be provided by short payday loans. “Migcredit” has slowed down the pace of issuing “long” loans, the company has reduced the average term of the loan portfolio by increasing the share of PDL-loans and IL-loans to six months, confirms Alexey Perederiy, director of the company’s risk management department. Zeimer CEO Roman Makarov does not expect significant growth for the year, although he admits that the third and fourth quarters “are always a period of increased demand for borrowed funds.” According to his estimates, taking into account the “low appetite of MFIs for risks” in July-December, growth can be only 5-10%.

For the time being, microfinanciers are looking at the future with caution. “The profitability of the industry is declining. Many companies are leaving the market,” notes Igor Smirnov, CEO of Creditter MCC. “Most likely, companies will tighten the requirements for the solvency of customers.”

According to the Creditter analytical center, MFIs are already rejecting up to 60% of applications, and about 30% of borrowers do not return the money on time.

However, the collection association NAPCA speaks of a delay of 25-30% as an “acceptable level that inspires certain optimism.” “You can already see changes as a customer. During the period of uncertainty in March-April, people distributed funds differently. Now the situation has stabilized: the delay has decreased by 7 percentage points, payment discipline has improved compared to February-March,” agrees Andrey Kleimenov, CEO of Eqvanta.

Part of the high-quality banking audience has entered the market, since MFIs are much more loyal to borrowers, adds Andrey Ponomarev, CEO of the Webbankir online financial platform. However, Maxim Nalyutin, head of the group for working with financial institutions at DRT, is sure that as the general environment stabilizes, the process of the reverse transition of clients from MFIs to the banking sector will most likely begin, where a quality borrower can raise funds at significantly lower rates.

Polina Trifonova