Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms offer customers an easy solution to borrow money for short-term requirements. be buying consumer electronics, medical emergency, repay credit card dues, home renovation, business loan, travel loan, or other such needs. They think that it is simpler to earn from P2P loaning stages contrast with customary individual credits from banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies(NBFCs). It is also because of cycle and dispensing of the advance sum is fast at P2P loaning stages contrasted with applying for an individual advance at a bank. There are mid-age salaried/independently employed people loaning on P2P stages to gain alluring returns by facing higher challenges contrast with monetary resources that incorporate shared assets, values, and so forth.
This is on the grounds that, for each borrower, there should be somebody on the opposite side ready to loan and procure an interest. The year 2025 shows critical development in P2P loaning, in the long stretch of January generally P2P loaning was in the scope of Rs 5-6 crore and toward the finish of December, it expanded to Rs 20-25 crore (information sourced from P2P loaning firm i2ifunding. They have gathered loaning numbers inside from 13 RBI enlisted P2P players).
Contents
- 1 RISKS INVOLVED IN DIGITAL LENDING
- 2 COLLECTION AND RECOVERY PROCESS
- 3 CONCLUSION
- 4 ⚖️ 1. Know the Legal Relationship
- 5 ❗ 2. If Borrowers Don’t Repay, What Happens?
- 6 ✅ Lendingkart’s Role:
- 7 📉 What You Might Face:
- 8 📜 3. What You Can Do Legally
- 9 🔍 4. Protecting Yourself in the Future
- 10 🧠 Final Thought
- 11 I Have Used Apps Like Lendingkart To Invest My Savings Into Loans, What If My Money Isn’t Returned Back?
- 12 BANKING, FINANCIAL SERVICES & INSURANCE
RISKS INVOLVED IN DIGITAL LENDING
One of the significant factors of involving the issue of risk in China is P2P loaning organizations was encountering high default rates. At a point when the reimbursement of a credit, as an EMI, is postponed past the booked date of reimbursement, it is viewed as a default on reimbursement. On the off chance that the reimbursement gets due past 90 days, the credit account is named a non-performing resource (NPA). The lower the default rate or NPA, the better is the monetary strength of a loaning portfolio. It’s fitting for financial specialists to beware of the default paces of a stage.
While there is no standard industry-wide information accessible for P2P loan specialists in India yet, “P2Pmoneylenders that have a permit from RBI need to put out their default numbers on their sites”, said Bhavin Patel, author and CEO of LenDenClub, a P2Ploaning stage. They are assuming acknowledgment authority participations also to run a credit profile check of borrowers, and to report back the exhibition of borrowers, he added.
Not every person who registers as a borrower gets a credit. Of the 26,000 borrowers enlisted on LenDenClub, just around 3,500 got advances, Patel said. “At any rate one out of 10 individuals applying are defaulters on a bank’s credit. Such borrowers are not given an advance by any stretch of the imagination. Be that as it may, there are individuals who defaulted for a brief time-frame, which appeared to be inadvertent, and afterward reimbursed the head; at that point it is worthy. They may get endorsed with restricted introduction at higher rates,” he added.
As a lender, one would want the P2P platform to help in recovering the amount lent in case the borrower defaults. “Since the borrower is abided by a legally enforceable contract, he or she can be sued in the court of law”. “For an additional fee, P2P platforms can offer you third-party legal opinion. The P2P platforms try to recover the defaulted amount, including steep penalties charged there on by deploying their own human resources for no additional fees.” The P2P platform have the recovery process in place and one should understand it before using the services of the platform.
In P2P loaning, a bank’s potential profit depends for the danger it is eager to take. Higher danger could mean higher default rates. Sometimes, even an individual with a decent credit foundation may not get an advance from a bank. For example, an individual may not get a credit in the event that he gets independently employed subsequent to stopping a decent organization, said Gandhi from Faircent. For such borrowers, default rates are practically identical to that of a bank, that is under 2%, he said. In any case, the pace of revenue begins at 12% and goes up to 36% for high-hazard borrowers. “The valuing depends on danger. So, at 12%, the default rate is under 2% however in the classification acquiring at 36%, the default rate goes up to9-10%,” Gandhi said. Faircent’s portfolio has a default pace of 5.4%.
COLLECTION AND RECOVERY PROCESS
In spite of every one of these precautionary measures, delinquencies actually occurs. “As another age organization, we attempt to furnish borrowers with each occasion to repay the advance regardless of whether it is deferred. On the off chance that there are instances of deliberate default, we have a coordinated reimbursements measure which rotates around 4 pronged methodologies,” says Makhija of Cashkumar.
Firstly, the utilization of auto-charge alternative can help recuperate advance EMIs and exceptional levy. Another viewpoint includes constant subsequent meet-ups over mail, calls and individual visits through accomplice offices.
“In the event that the borrower keeps on defaulting, we utilize their security check to recuperate the sum and start legitimate activity on the off chance that it is disrespected. A case is documented under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 against the borrower in a court,” adds Makhija.
By and large, the reimbursement date falls among first and tenth of consistently. Auto updates through SMS and calls are shipped off all borrowers 3-5 days before the EMI due date. In spite of the fact that organizations give a valiant effort to deal with the danger at each progression, defaults can occur. If there should arise an occurrence of default, Faircent additionally has a 4-venture delicate recuperation cycle together forthcoming instalments for loan specialists.
To begin with, the in-house assortment group builds up correspondence with the defaulting borrower and follows-in the mood for forthcoming instalments. Legitimately consistent assortment offices development with the borrower. Additionally, references gave are reached to urge the borrower to reimburse on schedule. On the off chance that the borrower doesn’t agree, legitimate notification is sent for the loan specialists.
“All collection and recuperation related movement attempted on defaults, assuming any, is refreshed on moneylender’s dashboard consistently with the last activity taken. Thus, the loan specialist isn’t subject to a human interface to remain refreshed on all periods of recuperation and can do as such by essentially signing in to his record, “educates Mathews.
Post the RBI guidelines in October a year ago, all enrolled NBFC-P2P need to report the reimbursements to credit organizations, which may likewise go about as an obstacle to delays.
CONCLUSION
The pattern of default rates among Indian P2P banks would obviously arise simply after a loaning cycle, post RBI guidelines is finished, which may require around two additional years. The current guidelines permit these P2P NBFCs to loan for not over three years.
Nonetheless, the P2P loaning industry just as experts are idealistic about the Indian market contrasted with advancements in China. Mahesh Makhija, accomplice warning, monetary administrations, EY India, said guidelines in China were not as severe as what is as of now set up in India.
If you’ve invested your savings into loans using platforms like Lendingkart (or similar fintech P2P lending or SME lending platforms), and the borrowers default, here’s what you need to know — legally, financially, and practically:
⚖️ 1. Know the Legal Relationship
When you invest via Lendingkart (or other such platforms), you’re likely acting as a lender in a peer-to-peer (P2P) or NBFC-backed lending model.
- You’re not depositing money into a bank, but extending loans, often to small businesses.
- Therefore, loan default is a risk, just like in any lending business.
❗ 2. If Borrowers Don’t Repay, What Happens?
✅ Lendingkart’s Role:
- Lendingkart is not legally liable to repay your money unless they guaranteed the investment (which most don’t).
- They facilitate risk assessment, loan disbursal, and recovery, but do not insure your returns.
- They may take legal action or initiate collection efforts, but recovery isn’t guaranteed.
📉 What You Might Face:
- Delayed payments
- Partial repayments
- Loan defaults (NPAs)
Your returns depend on:
- Borrower behavior
- Platform’s collection ability
- Loan diversification (risk spread)
📜 3. What You Can Do Legally
Option | Details |
---|---|
🧾 Review Terms & Conditions | Check Lendingkart’s user agreement and risk disclosures. Most include a “no guarantee” clause. |
📞 Contact the Platform | Ask for recovery status, legal action, or updates on defaulted loans. |
⚖️ File Complaint with RBI Ombudsman (for NBFCs) | If the platform is NBFC-registered (like Lendingkart), and you suspect misconduct, file a grievance: RBI Complaint Portal |
📝 Legal Notice to Borrower (via platform) | Some platforms offer legal follow-up on your behalf. You can also send a legal notice yourself. |
🚓 Fraudulent Behavior? File FIR | If you believe fraud has occurred (not just non-payment), you can report it to the Cyber Cell or Economic Offenses Wing (EOW). |
🔍 4. Protecting Yourself in the Future
If you’re investing in such platforms, understand the risks:
Tip | Reason |
---|---|
📊 Diversify investments | Spread across multiple borrowers and loan grades |
🏦 Limit exposure | Don’t put all savings into P2P or SME lending |
🔍 Check borrower rating | Invest in higher-rated borrowers only |
🔒 Use escrow-backed platforms | Ensure funds are handled transparently |
📁 Keep records | Maintain proof of investment and communication |
🧠 Final Thought
Lending via platforms like Lendingkart is not risk-free — you’re functioning like a bank, and defaults are a part of lending risk.
Unless the platform offered guaranteed returns in writing (which is rare and often illegal), you bear the credit risk.
Would you like:
- Help drafting a formal complaint to Lendingkart?
- A template for legal notice to a defaulting borrower?
- Suggestions on safe investment alternatives?
Let me know—I’m here to help!