Three years after the introduction of the Account Aggregator (AA) framework by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)—a system for sharing financial data that consolidates a customer’s financial information in one location—an increasing number of banks are now providing this service to their customers.
This framework not only allows individuals to conveniently access all their savings and monitor their spending patterns in one place but also empowers banks to approve loans for customers who have yet to establish a credit history. Industry experts believe that the AA framework will enable banks to offer non-loan products like insurance and mutual funds to individuals.
The AA framework facilitates a streamlined process for issuing credit cards or small loans to customers, including those who are not existing customers of a particular bank. Through the account aggregator ecosystem, customers can digitally share their bank statements, which are then promptly evaluated in real time for loan approval. This seamless process culminates in loan disbursal immediately after the customer completes the video KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.
Moreover, Federal Bank is in the process of integrating the AA ecosystem to cater to non-bank customers seeking credit cards, personal loans, and auto loans. The bank also aims to utilize the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) within the account aggregator framework to facilitate lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) after thorough testing.
The AA framework involves three key participants: a RBI-licensed non-bank financial company acting as an AA, financial information providers (FIPs), and financial information users (FIUs). Regulated entities, such as those overseen by financial regulators like the RBI and SEBI, can access the AA ecosystem to leverage a customer’s financial data.
In the realm of insurance, insurers are leveraging the AA framework to expedite the underwriting process. By accessing customers’ account statements through their consent, insurers can promptly determine insurance eligibility, resulting in significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Overall, the AA framework is poised to revolutionize the financial landscape by facilitating easier access to financial products and services for underserved consumers. As the system matures and more institutions integrate with the AA ecosystem, the reach and impact of financial products in India are expected to expand significantly.