A Comparative Study on Factors Influencing Housing Loan
Borrowers of Public and Private Sector Banks
Every human being aspires of his own house to live in. After food and clothing, housing is the third most important human requirement. On an average a person spends almost two-thirds of his life in a house which his sanctuary in his old age. Adequate housing is therefore a fundamental need of human beings and an essential pre-requisite for physical, intellectual and mental development. Blessed are those who live in their own house and fortunate are those who have the money to buy one. But all are not privileged to buy a house of their own. For many such less privileged, buying a house has become possible in modern times through housing loans. hough shelter was enshrined as Fundamental !ight in the constitution, housing did not get the attention, it deserved. his was perhaps due to the fact that at that time nobody e"pected the problem of housing to assume the present gigantic proportions. #roper housing, even at a lower scale, has never $ept pace with the minimum requirements of the people. he housing bac$log has been compounded by the high rate of population growth. %nadequate housing facilities have &ed to the rapid growth of slums and unauthori'ed settlements, poor quality of services, spiraling land prices and increasing costs of construction. %n rural areas the situation is even more alarming. he (overnment and some public sector underta$ings have been trying to tac$le the problem but their efforts do not touch even the fringe of the problem. he )entral and *tate (overnments cannot solve this problem. *o the +ife %nsurance )orporation of %ndia and ,ousing *ocieties entered the field of housing loans for their customers. oday there are -./ housing finance companies registered with the registrar of )ompanies, of these 01 have been approved by the 2ational ,ousing Ban$ for financial assistance. he housing finance industry has been growing at the rate of nearly -.3 for the last two years. Over the last - years commercial ban$ s and private sector ban$s have been playing an important role in housing Finance. All commercial ban$s and private sector ban$s are now emerging as lenders in the segment, ta$ing a view of initiatives in the form of opening dedicated outfits 4 cells to cater to the ever-increasing demand for .housing loans, offering competitive interest rates with fi"ed4variable options, waiver of processing fee, free additional attractive pac$ages and fle"ibilities in housing loon schemes. (enerally the traditional trend of the form 5,ousing +oans6 or. 5,ousing Finance6 means finance for buying or modifying a property. he various housing loan plans offered by commercial ban$s and private sector ban$s could be classified as under. 7. ,ouse #urchase +oan 0. ,ome E"tension +oan -. ,ouse %mprovement +oan 8. +and #urchase +oan .. +oan to 2!%s ,ence, 5,ousing Finance6 may be defined as the financial resources for an individual or a group of persons used especially for the purpose of housing. A study of the housing loan schemes offered by public sector ban$s and private sector ban$s would pave the way for ta$ing certain policy decisions for improving these housing loan schemes. SA!"!# $F H! P%$BL!" %n recent times, ban$s vie with one another in organi'ing loan melas with prior arrangement with the ultimate aim of reaching new heights in the area of disbursal of loans. %n the falling interest rate scenario it is quite understandable that every ban$ in its pursuit of capturing the mar$et is e"ploring all avenues to offer a competitive rate lo bring more and more customers in its fold. he home loan segment has received much impetus and is balanced for stupendous growth. he recent budget offers welcome initiatives toward infrastructure development. %n the liberali'ed economy both private and public sector ban$s are entering retail ban$ing in the mar$et. %n developed countries such as the 9.*. and the 9.:. the credit parameters of a borrower are readily available and hence, a scoring model is used to decide the credit worthiness of the borrower. %n %ndia, since data is not so readily available on the credit behavior of a borrower, loan underwriting standards have evolved $eeping in mind the current environment. %n the midst of the information e"plosion, borrowers sometimes find it difficult to decide on the right lender. %t is a common phenomenon that people want to live in their own houses. #eople try to fund their finance through borrowing from their provident fund or their employer or friends and relatives or selling other personal assets. he present study is an attempt to evaluate the housing finance provided by public sector and private sector ban$s. %!&I!' $F LI!%A(%! :.+. *rinivasan ;0///< in his thesis entitled 5A #ro=ect on ,ousing Finance-,ow *B% can establish leadership6, has concluded that simplification of the documentation process, careful and friendly approach systems and procedures, good customer service and non insistence in collateral securities are the most important variables in the mar$eting of housing loan schemes by ban$s 7 . >eepall *ingh ;0//7< in his study entitled 5)onsumer Behaviour and Ban$ing !etail #roducts an Analysis stresses that the borrower?s attitude is an important factor for the improvement of housing loan schemes 0 . !.!. :rishna and @.*. :rishna Aoorthy ;7111< stress in their article entitled 5rend and #olicy %ssues of ,ousing Finance in %ndia6, that simplified procedures and speedy sanction of housing loans will give a boost to the construction of houses - . !a=esh :umai *ood ;0//-< in his article entitled 5,ousing +oan #ortfolio of A*)Bs - (rowth >rivers Associated !is$ and Aitigation *trategies6, has concluded that ban$s should review the housing loan portfolio at periodical intervals for capturing new mar$ets and to avoid ris$ in the housing loan schemes 8 . $B)!CI&!S $F H! S(*+ he main ob=ectives of this study areB 7. o study the socio-economic profile of those who ta$e housing loans. 0. o study the various factors which influence the people who ta$e housing loans for availing of such loans from public sector and private sector ban$s and -. o offer suggestions for the improvement of housing loan schemes in public and private sector ban$s. SC$P! $F H! S(*+ he study has been underta$en mainly to highlight the features of housing loan offered by public and private sector ban$s. All $inds of such borrowers li$e Businessmen, #rofessionals, (overnment Employees, #rivate Employees and *elf- Employed #eople have been included in this study. %t has been underta$en from the standpoint of borrowers, and ban$ers are e"cluded from the study. Only individual borrowers have been ta$en and others are e"cluded from the study SA"PL! *!SI,# he study is based on the sampling method. he areas of *outh >elhi are included in the study. A sample of 7// borrowers representing various types such as Businessmen, (overnment Employees, Employees of #rivate Enterprises, #rofessional #eople and *elf-employed #eople are selected by applying a convenient sampling method. ABL! -. Sample Housing Loan borrowers selected for t/e study Sl0 #o Category of individual borrowers Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 7. Business 77 00 8 C 0. #rofessional D 78 E 70 -. Agriculture 7/ 0/ 7/ 0/ 8. *elf employment D 78 7E -0 .. (overnment employment . 7/ 8 C E #rivate employment 7/ 0/ 7/ 0/ otal 23 -33 23 -33 ,!$,%APHICAL A%!A $F H! S(*+ he study covers the areas of >elhi. "!H$*$L$,+ A#* $$L F$% *AA C$LL!CI$# Both public sector and private sector ban$s were selected for this study. he data from the borrowers relating to the housing loan schemes of the ban$s were collected with the help of an interview schedule. he interview schedule was translated into the vernacular language. he borrowers who understand English were given the questionnaire in English *tatistical tools li$e percentage and (A!!E?* !an$ing Aethod were used for this analysis. FI!L* '$%4 A#* C$LL!CI$# $F *AA he present study is an empirical research based on the survey method. %t involves the collection of primary data from the borrowers from public and private sector ban$s. *ome of the secondary data were collected from articles in the %BA Bulletin, the !B% Bulletin and pamphlets produced by some ban$s. *(A P%$C!SSI#, After the completion of the interview schedules a thorough chec$-up of the data was made. he missing data was collected immediately. he data was processed with the help of some statistical tools li$e percentage analysis and (arrettFs !an$ing Aethod. "!AS(%!"!# $F &A%IABL!S he researcher has identified ten factors to measure the attitude of borrowers towards the housing loan schemes. hese variables are measured by the researcher with the help of (arrett?s !an$ing Aethod. he following are the ten factors identified by the researcher. 7. !ate of %nterest 0. !epayment Aethod -. Free %ncentives ... 8. #rocessing )harges .. )ustomer *ervice E. Guic$ >isposal of +oan Applications D. *ervice )harges C. Friendly behaviour of the *taff 1. +esser Formalities 7/. 2earer to borrowers residence F%A"!'$%4 $F A#AL+SIS First, the relationship with the socio-economic factor and the loans provided by ban$s are analy'ed with the help of percentage analysis. *econd, the various factors which influence the borrowers to approach the ban$s are analy'ed with the help of (arrett?s !an$ing able. FAC$%S I#FL(!#CI#, H$(SI#, L$A# B$%%$'!%S According to the modern ban$ mar$eting concept the customer is the $ing. For any product to stand in the mar$et it should satisfy the customer. he demand for a particular product changes from time to time. At present customers ;,ousing loan borrowers< e"pect more from the ban$s. he basic mechanism in the ban$ing industry is providing borrower satisfaction. %t seems to be the mass customi'ation of the services not only in terms of product deliverables but also in terms of distribution channels. here are a number of factors which influence the borrowers of housing finance in selecting the ban$. he borrower?s attitude analysis is an important technique in studying the housing loan schemes of the ban$s. he importance given to a factor by a person may not be the same as in the case of another. *ome of them are satisfied with one aspect but dissatisfied with the other aspects of the scheme. hus, it is a difficult tas$ to identify single factor which influences the borrowers. %t was found mat factors such as the rate of interest, the quic$ disposal of loan application, lesser formalities in advancing housing loans, the processing charges, the repayment method, free incentives, customer services, nearer to resident e and friendly behaviour of employees influence the borrowers in choosing the ban$s. FAC$% 'IS! A#AL+SIS $F P(BLIC S!C$% BA#4S ABL! 5. Factors influencing t/e Borrowers in Public Sector Banks S0 #o0 %ank Factors #o0 of %espondents otal I II III I& & &I &II &III I6 6 7 +ow rate of %nterest -. 7/ . H H H H H H H ./ 0 Guic$ disposal of loan application . 7. 0 - 7/ . . . H H ./ - +esser formalities H 1 0 H 8 . 7/ . . 7/ ./ 8 Free %ncentives H H H 0 8 E - 7/ 7. 7/ ./ . +ow service charges 7/ - 8 E D - D 8 E H ./ E Friendly behaviour of field staff 8 C 8 8 E - D - 8 D ./ D (ood customer service H C C 8 8 8 8 8 8 7/ ./ C +ow waiver of processing 0. 7. 7/ H H H H H H H ./ fee 1 )onvenient !epayment method 7C 7. 70 . H H H H H H ./ 7/ 2earer to !esidence H H H H - D E 8 7/ 0/ ./ FAC$% 'IS! A#AL+SIS $F P%I&A! S!C$% BA#4S ABL! 7. Factors influencing t/e Borrowers in Private Sector Banks S0 #o0 %ank Factors #o0 of %espondents otal I II III I& & &I &II &III I6 6 7 +ow rate of %nterest 0. C C 1 H H H H H H ./ 0 Guic$ disposal of loan application 00 7/ C C 0 H H H H H ./ - +esser formalities H H H - D E D E 7E . ./ 8 Free %ncentives H H H H E 8 8 C C 0/ ./ . +ow service charges 7. C D 8 E . . H H H ./ E Friendly behaviour of field staff H H H . 70 7/ C . E 8 ./ D (ood customer service H 0 7 7 0 7/ C E 1 77 ./ C +ow waiver of processing fee H H H H H 7/ 7/ 7. 7. H ./ 1 )onvenient !epayment method 0/ 7E 0 - 8 0 H l 0 H ./ 7/ 2earer to !esidence 0 - . 7 0 . - 8 D 7C ./ %t was felt that the ran$ing of the influencing factors would be reasonable. ,ence, (arrett?s !an$ing technique was used. !an$s have been calculated with the formula given by him and also with (arrett?s !an$ing able (arrett?s Formula #ercent #osition I ( ) j ij N R . . / 7// ! i= I !an$ given for the i th variable by = th respondents 2 = I 2umber of variable ran$ed by the = th respondent By using this formula the result obtained was compared with, (arrett?s !an$ing able and the scores were given. he total scores of each item were added and ran$s were given according to the total value. ,A%%! %A#4I#, F$( P(BLIC S!C$% BA#4S ABL! 8. ,arrett9s %anking able for Public Sector Banks Sl0 #o0 Factors Public Sector Banks otal Scores "ea n Score %ank 7. +ow rate of %nterest. -1// DC.// % 0. Guic$ disposal of loan application 018D .C.18 %@ -. +esser formalities 71C1 -1.DC @%%% 8. Free %ncentives 7D.. -..7 %J .. +ow service charges 0DC7 ...E0 @ E. Friendly behaviour of field staff 0.77 ./.00 @% D. (ood customer service 0-8E 8E.10 @%% C. +ow waiver of processing fee -D.. D../7 %% 1. )onvenient !epayment method -.11 D7.1C %%% 7/. 2earer to !esidence 7.C7 -7.E0 J able 8 shows that in the case of the public sector ban$s the low rate of interest was ran$ed first, low waiver of processing charges was ran$ed second, convenient repayment method ran$ed as third, quic$ disposal of loan applications ran$ed as fourth, low service charges ran$ed as fifth, friendly behaviour as si"th, good customer service ran$ed as seventh, +esser formalities ran$ed as eighth and free incentives, nearer lo residence were ran$ed ninth and tenth respectively. ,ence it is clear the rate of interest offered by the public sector ban$s is an important factor .influencing the borrowers in approac/ing the ban$s ,A%%! %A#4I#, F$% P%I&A! S!C$% BA#4S ABL! :. ,arrett9s %anking able for Private Sector Banks Sl0 #o0 Factors Public Sector Banks otal Scores "ean Score %ank 7. +ow rate of interest -E.0 D-./8 % 0. Guic$ disposal of loan application -.1E D7.10 %% -. +esser formalities 71-7 -C.E0 @% 8. Free %ncentives 7.1C -7./E J .. +ow service charges -0.7 E../0 %@ E. Friendly behaviour of field staff 0717 8-.C0 @ D. (ood customer service 7C1. -D.1 %J C. +ow waiver of processing fee 717. -C.- @%%% 1. )onvenient !epayment method -8C- E1.EE %%% 7/. 2earer to !esidence 71-/ -C.E @%% able . shows that in the case of private sector ban$s the low rate of interest ran$ed as first, quic$ disposal of loan application ran$ed as second, convenient repayment method ran$ed as third, low service charges ran$ed as fourth, friendly behaviour of staff ran$ed fifth., +esser formalities ran$ed si"th, nearer to residence ran$ed as seventh, +ow waiver of processing fees ran$ed eighth, and good customer services and free incentives ran$ed as ninth and tenth respectively. ,ence it is clear that the rate of interest to be levied by the private sector ban$s is an important factor influencing the borrowers in approaching the ban$s. S$(%C!S $F I#F$%"AI$# AB$( H$(SI#, L$A# SCH!"! he housing loan scheme awareness among the respondents was evaluated through various sources which persuade them in their borrowing. ABL! :. Sources of Information on Housing Loan Sc/eme Sl0 #o0 Sources of Information Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 7. 2ewspaper E 70 D 78 0. .@. 70 08 7/ 0/ -. Banners 7 0 / / 8. !adio . 7/ 8 C .. *taff Aembers 0 8 - E E. Friends 0- 8E 07 80 D. Other *ources 7 0 . 7/ otal 23 -33 23 - 33 From the above able it is seen that out of the ./ respondents E;703< from the public sector came to $now about housing loan schemes through 2ewspapers, 70 ;083< through .@., 7 ;03< through Banners, . ;7/3< through !adio, 0 ;83< through their colleagues, 0- ;8E3< through friends, and l ;03< got to $now through other sources. From the able it is informed that out of ./ respondents of the private sector D ;783< borrowers came to $now about housing loan schemes through 2ewspapers, 7/ ;0/3< through .@., 8 ;C3< through !adio, -;E3< through their colleagues, 07 ;803< through friends, and . ;7/3< through other sources. L$A# A&AIL!* I# $H!% I#SI(I$#S ABL! ;. Availing of Loans in ot/er Institution Sl0 #o0 Availing of Loans in ot/er Institution Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 7 Kes 70 083 77 003 0 2o -C DE3 -1 DC3 otal 23 -33 23 -33 able D shows that out of ./ respondents in public sector ban$s, 70 ;083< have availed housing loans from other institutions, -C ;DE3< have not availed the housing loans from other institutions. able D shows that out of ./ respondents in private sector ban$s 77 ;003< have availed housing loans from other institutions, -1 ;DC3< have not. A'A%!#!SS $F %A! $F I#!%!S A7L! <. Awareness of rate of Interest of ot/er institutions Sl0 #o0 Awareness of %ate of Interest Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks0 #o of %espondents Percentage 1 #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 7 Kes 78 0/3 0E .03 0 2o -/ D03 08 8C3 otal 23 -33 23 -33 able C shows that out of ./ respondents in public sector ban$s, 78 ;0C3< $now the rate of interest in other institutions, -E ;D03< don?t $now it. able C shows that out of ./ respondents in private sector ban$sL 0E ;.03< $now the rate of interest in other institutions, 08 ;8C3< donFt $now it. $&!%ALL $PI$# $# H$(SI#, L$A# SCH!"!S $F H! BA#4S able 1 shows that out of ./ respondents in public sector ban$s 0/;8/3< borrowers opined that the wor$ing housing loan schemes-is very good,.0. ;./3< felt that it is good and . ;7/3< opined the schemes are functioning moderately. ABL! =. $pinion about Housing Loan Sc/emes of t/e Banks Sl0 #o0 $pinion of t/e Borrowers Public Sector Banks Private Sector Banks0 #o of %espondents Percentage 1 #o0 of %espondents Percentage 1 7. @ery (ood 0/ 8/3 7. -/3- 0. (ood 0. ./3 0. ./3 -. Aoderate . 7/3 7/ 0/3 8. #oor H H H H .. @ery #oor H H H H otal 23 -33 23 -33 able 1 shows that out of ./ respondents in the private sector ban$s 7. ;-/3< borrowers opined that the housing loan schemes are functioning very well, 0. ;./3< borrowers characteri'ed their wor$ing as good and 7/ ;0/3< opined the schemes are functioning moderately. S(""A%+ $F FI#PI#,S Profile of Housing Loan Borrowers his study shows that -/3 of the sample borrowers are in the age group of -/--. years and only 0/3 are above 8/ years of age in public sector ban$s. 8C3 of the sample borrowers are in the age group of -/--. years and only 0/3 are above 8/ years of age in private sector ban$s. his study also shows in both the ban$s 883 of the borrowers are salaried individuals. he ban$s provided loans to businessmen, professional people, agriculturists, and self employed people. ;.E3< his study shows that the ban$s lend to people who have more than 7/ years e"perience in their field. ;E/3 in public sector ban$s, -03 in private sector ban$s<. he annual income statistics show that 0/3 of the borrowers earn between 0,//,/// - 0,./,///4- %n terms of educational qualifications, a si'able proportion of the borrowers are graduates ;8E3 in public sector ban$s, -E3 in private sector ban$s< he composition of the sample shows that the ma=ority of the borrowers are married and have --8 members in their families ;D/3 in public sector and 8/3 in private sector< Findings of Factor Analysis here is no difference in the rate of interest between public sector ban$s and private sector ban$s. here is no difference in the repayment methods in public and private sector ban$s. here is a difference in following the formalities at the time of lending between the public and private sector ban$s. here is a difference in offering incentives lo the borrowers at time of lending in public and private sector ban$s. here is a difference in service charges of public and private sector bun$s. here is a difference in processing charges of public and private sector ban$s. here is a difference in treating the customers in both the ban$s. his study shows that 003 of the borrowers came to $now about housing loan schemes through friends, 0E3 came to $now through .@. and 2ewspapers, 03 through banners and pamphlets. S(,,!SI$#S 7. #eople who are opt for home loans loo$ for courtesy as the main feature. raditionally ban$ers and financiers have been too proud of their position as lenders. *o the ,eld staff helps the borrowers in filling up the application form and with other matters. All the advertisements should be focused on the pace of e"ecution in addition to the courteous behaviour evinced by the employees of the service provider. 0. he ban$ should review the housing loan portfolio at periodical intervals for capturing the new mar$et to avoid ris$ and for updating their schemes. -. :eeping in view of mar$et situation, the ban$ may follow setup repayment, flip repayment, and Balloon repayment method for the convenience of the borrowers in future. 8. Branches can obtain suitable banners and print the banners in an attractive way and display them in the ban$ing hall for the benefit of the customers. .. Branches can arrange customersF meetings lo populari'e these lending schemes. E. he ban$s can thin$ of appointing mar$eting agents for housing loans as is being done by financial institutions. At the ape" level a lot of publicity can be given on the advantages of ban$ loans. D. Opening a *pecial ,ousing Branch and posting field officers for housing finance in intensive areas with a view to tap the business potential and to serve the clientele on a continuous basis may be helpful. C. Attractive incentives are to be given to borrowers. 1. All employees should be familiar with the details of the housing loan schemes of their ban$s. 7/. %ncentive and recognition should be given to ban$s and employees doing special wor$ in this field. 77. he system of charging a reduced rate of interest based on the credit rating of the borrowers may be introduced in housing loan schemes. 70. All information regarding housing loans should be available on the website of the ban$s in an interactive mode. 7-. +oan application forms should be simplified. C$#CL(SI$# here is vital scope for housing promotion in %ndia. Ban$s can play a vital rule in promoting house building in villages. Ban$s need to introduce more dynamic and innovative housing loan schemes and also need to focus on mass customi'ation versus mass mar$et. %!F!%!#C!S 7. :.+. *rinivasan, A Project on Housing finance How SBI can Establish Leadership SBI! S"# Pera$bur 0. >eepall *ingh, )onsumer Behaviour % Ban$ing !etail #roducts an Analysis. Ban&ing 'inance (a) *++, -. !.!. :rishna and @.*. :rishna Aoorthy, rend and #olicy %ssues of ,ousing Finance in %ndia. Southern Econo$ist! April , % ,-! ,... 8. !a=esh :umar *ood M ,ousing +oan #ortfolio of A*)B- (rowth >rivers Associated !is$s and mitigation strategies - IBA Bulletin! /une*++0 BIBLI$,%APH+ B$$4S 7. Agarwal, ,.2.71C/. A Portrait of Nationalised Ban&s! 1elhi2 Inter India Publication 0. Bandyapaduyay, !. 71C8. E$erging #hallenges of Indian Ban&ing and Polic) -. Facts, Figures and Analyses 718D - 711D. %ndia at ./, E3press publications 4(adurai5 Ltd 8. ,enry. E. (arrett and !. Nood North Statistics Ps)cholog) and Education! @a$ilas Faffer and *imons #rivate +td., Bombay 71C 7. p. -01. .. 2abhi?s &111. How to Borrow fro$ Ban&ing and 'inancial Institutions! ;7/ th ed.< 2ew >elhiB a 2abhi #ublications. E. *anthosh :umar Adhi$ari, "he lending Ban&er! )alcuttaL &.2. (hash and sons. D. hanulingam, 2. 71C. Research (ethodolog)! Rainbow Publications! )oimbatore. C. @ershney, #.2.711D. Ban&ing Law and Practices ;-8 th ed.< 2ew >elhiB *ultan )hand % *ons.O %!P$%S A#* P%$)!CS 7. *inivasan :.+. 0///. A Project on Housing 'inance! How SRI can Establish leadership *B% - *) perambur )hennai. 0. #ulunlsamy .:. 0///. A Project on #hallenges Ahead! *B% - *) perambur )hennai. -. #radeep :umar *harma #H Bhabha Scholarship Project Report *++0 %BA Bulletin, &une 0//-. A%ICL!S 7. >eepal *ingh, @en$atanarnyanan. #onsu$er Beha6iour % Ban&ing Retail Products and Anal)sis! Ban$ing Finance, Aay 0//7. 0. (uthura$an P Housing 'inance in India! %BA Bulletin, *ep. 7111. -. !a=esh :umar *ood, Housing Loan portfolio of AS#Bs - 7rowth 1ri6ers Associated Ris&s and (itigation strategies8 %BA Bulletin &une 0//-. 8. :rishnan !.!., and. @.*. (aneshmurthy, "rends and Polic) issues of Housing 'inance in India *outhern Economist. April l % 7.. 7111. .. *rinivasa @allabhan. #ost9satisfaction Anal)sis in Housing Acti6it)2 A #ase Stud)! *outhern Economist August. 7, 0//-. #ewspapers Business +ine he Nee$- Ho$e Loans $ar&eting it wor& for )ou Aarch 0C, 0//8. he Nee$- A: that )ou want to &now about Housing 'inance Aay 0., 0//-. 2ittin #alany, Housing 'inance Huge :ntapped Potential! he ,indu - Sur6e) of Indian Industr) *++;