Jio Financial Services Launches Digital Loans Against Securities

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Jio Finance Ltd (JFL), the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) arm of Jio Financial Services Ltd (JFSL), has taken a bold step in expanding its digital finance offerings by launching a digital Loan Against Securities (LAS) product. This new product is designed to provide customers with a secure and fast way to access funds without liquidating their investments. With the power of digital innovation and customer-centric features, JFL is now aiming to redefine the lending space in India.

What is Loan Against Securities (LAS)?

Loan Against Securities (LAS) is a secured lending product that allows borrowers to pledge their financial assets, such as shares, mutual funds, bonds, or other market-linked securities, as collateral to obtain a loan. Instead of selling these investments in times of need, LAS provides an option to borrow funds while still retaining ownership and enjoying any potential capital gains or dividends.

In this model, the borrower can continue to benefit from the performance of the pledged assets while availing a loan. LAS is ideal for meeting short-term financial needs such as business expansion, medical expenses, personal requirements, or even for investing in other avenues without disturbing existing investments.

Key Features of Jio Finance’s LAS Product

The LAS product offered by Jio Finance Ltd is built on several attractive and user-friendly features that cater to both salaried individuals and business owners. The key highlights of the LAS product include:

Loan Amount of up to Rs.1 Crore

Customers can avail a loan ranging from smaller amounts to as high as Rs.1 crore. The loan limit is decided based on the value of the pledged securities and the customer’s risk profile. This large limit offers sufficient liquidity to those who need a significant short-term financial boost without disturbing their investment portfolio.

Interest Rates Starting at 9.99%

The loan is offered at competitive interest rates, beginning from 9.99% per annum. The actual interest rate applicable is determined based on the customer’s creditworthiness, the value of securities pledged, and the risk assessment done by the company. These rates are in line with industry standards for secured loans and may be more affordable compared to unsecured personal loans.

Maximum Tenure of Three Years

Jio Finance’s LAS product offers a maximum loan tenure of up to 3 years, providing flexibility to borrowers. Customers can choose a repayment schedule that suits their financial condition and planning. Whether it’s a short-term requirement or a medium-term plan, the LAS tenure structure can accommodate a variety of financial goals.

No Foreclosure Charges

One of the standout features of this product is the zero foreclosure charges. Borrowers can prepay or foreclose the loan at any point during the tenure without incurring any additional cost. This is beneficial for those who may receive unexpected inflows or wish to close the loan ahead of schedule without any penalties.

Entirely Digital Process in Just 10 Minutes

One of the most remarkable aspects of Jio Finance’s LAS product is its completely digital application and disbursal process, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Through the JioFinance app, customers can now initiate, process, and complete their loan application without visiting a branch or submitting physical paperwork.

From uploading KYC documents to pledging securities and receiving disbursal confirmation, every step is carried out digitally. This seamless experience reflects JFL’s commitment to making financial services accessible, quick, and convenient for its users.

How Customers Benefit Without Selling Their Investments?

Traditionally, investors in need of immediate funds would often resort to selling their shares or mutual fund units. However, this can disrupt long-term investment goals and result in tax implications or loss of future gains. The LAS product eliminates this need.

With LAS, customers can keep their long-term wealth creation intact while utilizing their securities to manage short-term financial needs. This approach not only promotes financial discipline but also encourages investors to stay committed to their long-term plans.

By allowing customers to retain ownership of securities, Jio Finance ensures that they continue to benefit from dividends, rights issues, and capital appreciation, even as they utilize the pledged investments for financing.

Availability on the JioFinance App

The LAS product is offered through the JioFinance app, which is JFL’s flagship digital financial platform. This app is already integrated with various features, making it a one-stop destination for customers seeking a wide range of financial products and services.

Using the JioFinance app, users can not only apply for LAS but also manage their entire loan lifecycle – from tracking the loan status, checking EMI schedules, making payments, and even requesting top-ups.

Part of JFL’s Broader Digital Finance Strategy

According to Kusal Roy, Managing Director and CEO of Jio Finance Ltd, the LAS product is part of JFL’s broader digital strategy that aims to transform the way Indian customers access and interact with financial services.

By focusing on digital-first solutions, JFL is positioning itself to cater to the growing segment of tech-savvy users who demand speed, transparency, and ease of access in financial services. The LAS product is aligned with the company’s goal of building a customer-centric and digitally empowered NBFC ecosystem.

Other Loan Offerings by Jio Finance

In addition to LAS, Jio Finance Ltd provides a diversified loan portfolio to serve various financial needs of its customer base. Some of the prominent loan products offered through its app include:

1. Home Loans

JFL provides competitive home loan options that cater to both salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. These loans come with attractive interest rates, long tenures, and minimal documentation requirements.

2. Loan Against Property (LAP)

For customers owning residential or commercial property, JFL offers loans against the property’s value. This type of loan is ideal for larger fund requirements such as business expansion, medical expenses, or educational needs.

3. Corporate Financing

The company also provides tailored financing solutions for corporates, including working capital loans, term loans, and other business-related credit facilities.

These loan products reflect JFL’s comprehensive approach to addressing both retail and corporate financial needs, with a strong focus on digital convenience and quick disbursal.

Other Financial Services on the JioFinance App

The JioFinance app is more than just a lending platform. It also serves as a digital financial management tool with multiple services that empower users to manage their finances in one place. These include:

1. UPI Payments and Money Transfers

Users can send and receive money seamlessly using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The app supports quick transactions for daily payments and business transactions.

2. Savings Account Services

The app provides integrated digital banking features, including savings accounts, allowing customers to manage their funds, monitor balances, and earn interest on their savings.

3. Digital Gold

Customers can also invest in digital gold through the JioFinance app. This provides a safe and easy way to diversify wealth in gold without needing physical storage.

4. Insurance Services

The app offers a variety of insurance products, including health, life, and general insurance policies. Customers can compare, purchase, and manage insurance policies digitally.

5. Investment Portfolio Tracking

For those with diversified investments, the JioFinance app helps track portfolios, including mutual funds, stocks, and other securities, in one place with real-time updates and insights.

How Jio Finance Is Transforming India’s Fintech Sector?

With this move, Jio Finance is stepping deeper into the fintech system, competing with established digital lenders and financial service platforms. By offering loans secured against investments with low interest rates, flexible tenure, no foreclosure charges, and complete digital processing, the company is setting a new benchmark in customer convenience.

This strategy is in line with Jio's broader mission to create a digital-first financial infrastructure in India, where banking and financial services are delivered through smartphones, apps, and cloud technologies.

Conclusion

The launch of the Loan Against Securities (LAS) by Jio Finance Ltd is a significant step in the Indian NBFC sector, especially in the digital lending space. With features such as loan amounts up to Rs.1 crore, digital processing in 10 minutes, interest rates from 9.99%, no foreclosure charges, and availability through the JioFinance app, JFL is making secured loans faster, simpler, and more accessible than ever. This move not only benefits customers by providing financial liquidity without selling investments but also strengthens Jio Finance’s position as a next-generation digital NBFC in India.

FAQs

Q1. What are digital loans against securities offered by Jio Financial Services, and how do they benefit customers?

Ans. This refers to JFS's new initiative to provide loans using securities as collateral through digital platforms, like the JioFinance app. This offers customers a quick and convenient way to access credit without the lengthy traditional loan processes, leveraging their existing investments.

Q2. How does the JioFinance app facilitate these digital loan services, and what other financial services does it offer?

Ans. The JioFinance app serves as a central hub for accessing JFS's digital loan products, including loans against securities. It also provides features like instant digital account opening with biometric authentication, UPI transactions, bill payments, credit card management, and a consolidated view of bank accounts and mutual fund holdings, aiming to simplify financial management.

Q3. What regulatory milestones has Jio Financial Services achieved, and how do they impact its operations?

Ans. JFS received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to a Core Investment Company (CIC). This transition provides JFS with greater flexibility in managing its investments in group entities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and allowing for expansion into new financial services like secured lending.

Q4. What strategic partnerships has Jio Financial Services formed, and how do these collaborations strengthen its market position?

Ans. JFS has notably formed a joint venture with BlackRock to offer wealth management and brokerage services in India. This partnership combines JFS's extensive reach with BlackRock's expertise, enhancing JFS's service offerings and market penetration in India's growing financial sector.

Q5. What are the potential challenges and considerations Jio Financial Services faces in expanding its digital secured lending services?

Ans. Key challenges include ensuring regulatory compliance with evolving financial regulations, safeguarding sensitive customer data against cyber threats, and effectively reaching and servicing diverse customer segments, particularly those less familiar with digital platforms. JFS needs to prioritize data security and customer education to build trust and ensure successful market penetration.

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