What is the Unified Lending Interface (ULI)?

Aug. 27, 2024

Positioned as a platform to transform the lending space, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently running a pilot of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI).

About Unified Lending Interface (ULI):

  • It is a technological platform that aims to provide a friction-less credit by cutting down the time taken for appraisal, especially for rural and small borrowers.
  • It serves as a bridge, connecting banks, Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), fintech firms, and borrowers, enabling a more efficient and transparent credit disbursement process.
  • It is expected to cater to a large unmet demand for credit across various sectors, particularly for agricultural and MSME borrowers.
  • It facilitates seamless flow of digital information, including land records of various states, from multiple data service providers to lenders.
  • It enables the borrowers to get seamless delivery of credit, quicker turnaround time without requiring extensive documentation.
  • It has common and standardised Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) designed for a plug-and-play approach to ensure digital access to information from diverse sources, i.e., information relevant to a lender giving out a loan to a potential borrower.
  • The entire system is consent-based, i.e., based on the consent of the potential borrower.
  • It reduces the complexity of multiple technical integrations.
  • It promotes transparency by allowing borrowers to track their loan applications in real-time.