A microfinance company is basically a type of financial institution which provides small-scale financial services in the form of loan, credit or savings. These companies are introduced to ease the credit system for small businesses as they don’t get a loan from banks due to their complex process. Therefore it is commonly named as a Micro-credit organization. They offer small loans to various small businesses or households that do not have access to formal banking channels or are not eligible for loans. They provide small loans amounting to less than Rs.50,000 in amount to people who reside in rural areas and for the people who reside in urban areas, the loan amount limit is Rs.1,25,000. The simplest way to register a Micro Finance Company in India is to register a Section-8 Company with MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs), without the charge of any kind of marginal money or guarantee security. A microfinance company can give loans at inexpensive rates directed by the RBI and central government. They provide huge support to all the rural and agricultural development including the creation of both income and employment. There are basically 2 types of microfinance companies that are allowed in India, the former type has to be registered with the RBI and the latter is the non-profit type, which is registered as a section 8 company and does not need RBI approval.
A microfinance company can be registered in India in the form of a Section 8 company, as a Section 8 company does not need any minimum capital. Here is the process:
There are essentially 2 ways to register for a Micro Finance Institution (MFI). One way is to form a company and then apply to RBI for approval. The minimum requirements for a “Microfinance company” are Rs.5 crore net owned fund and active profiles of promoters. The second way is to register as a section 8 company. Maheswari Consultancy offers the second way of registration. Apply for central government licenses features of which are as follows:
In India, finance businesses are approved only to Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFC). However, some business forms have been granted an exemption by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to do banking activities up to a specified limit. The RBI by it’s master circular: RBI/2015-16/15 DNBR (PD) CC.No.052/03.10.119/2015-16 Dated July 01, 2015, has released all the Section 8 Companies involved in microfinance activities and are exempt from the provisions of RBI Act, 1934
As per Para 2 (iii), Sections 45-IA, 45-IB, and 45-IC of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) shall not apply to any non-banking financial company which is
Some of the working mechanisms of a micro-finance companies are as follow:
There are usually 3 types of charges that can be imposed by a Micro Finance Company (MFI)
Deposits are not permitted to be accepted under a section 8 company. Moreover, the company has to invest it’s funds and start it’s operations. Further, the company may also raise funding by way of donations.
Even if you are intending to register as an NBFC company and are ready to invest Rs.5 Crores into the business, then also deposits are not permitted to be taken. As per the RBI procedure, first, you are required to register as an NBFC non-deposit-taking company and then consequently apply for a deposit-taking status from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Hence, it is advised if you are thinking to register your own NBFC, first start with a “microfinance company”, test your skills and then move forward.
Loans under microfinance companies are not very complicated. Most unsecured loans are given and are against monthly repayments or weekly repayments. Interest is charged often in the range of 20 -26%. Besides the following points are also important:
Particulars | NBFC-MFI | Societies and Trust | Section 8 Company | Cooperative Society |
---|---|---|---|---|
Govern by | As per Companies Act, 2013 with the Reserve Bank of India | Society Registration as per Society Registration Act, 1860 and Trust Registration as per Indian Trust Act, 1882 | Registration as per Companies Act, 2013 | Registration as per the Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 |
Net Worth Requirement | Rs. 5 Crore and Rs. 2 Crore in case of North East States | No Minimum Requirement | No Minimum Requirement | No Minimum Requirement. |
There are minimum compliances which are to be met by the Micro Finance Company. However, the most important compliances are as follows: