Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Chola Finance Prioritizes Mortgages Amidst Strategic Reworking
Imagine a company that gives out loans, like a bank but a bit different.
They used to give out a lot of loans for cars, and that's still their biggest business.
But now, they are also really focusing on giving out home loans and loans where people use their property as a guarantee.
This is because they think these home-related loans are going to be the next big thing for them.
They had some problems with other types of loans, like loans for small businesses and everyday people, because they weren't making enough money from them.
So, they've decided to give out fewer of those for now and fix them up.
They've also started a new business giving loans using gold as a guarantee, and they want to grow that business too.
They want to make sure their company grows and offers different kinds of loans, not just car loans.
Chola Finance is prioritizing its mortgage business as a key growth driver, alongside its core vehicle finance operations.
Disbursements in consumer and small enterprise loans (CSEL) and SME loans fell significantly year-on-year in Q2 FY26 due to profitability concerns.
The company aims to reduce the share of vehicle finance in its total assets under management (AUM) to 50% from 54% over the next two years through diversification.
The mortgage segment (LAP and home loans) has grown its share in AUM to 33% and is now ready for large-scale expansion.
Chola Finance is also building its gold loan business, aiming for a ₹1,500 crore book in 2-3 years, and has expanded its gold loan branches.
- Who
- Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (Chola Finance)
- What
- Focusing on mortgage business growth and diversification while reworking strategies for consumer and SME loans due to profitability concerns. Also expanding into gold loans.
- When
- Second quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q2FY26)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To drive asset growth, diversify the loan portfolio, and address profitability issues in certain segments while scaling up mature businesses.
Challenges in Newer Segments
Focus on Established and Growing Areas
Loan Segment Performance
Challenges in Newer Segments
Disbursements in consumer and small enterprise loans (CSEL) and SME loans saw significant year-on-year drops of 40% and 19% respectively in Q2 due to profitability concerns. The company has consciously reduced disbursements in these areas, including exiting fintech partnerships in CSEL.
Focus on Established and Growing Areas
The core vehicle finance disbursements grew 10% in the latest quarter, remaining the largest segment. The mortgage business, including Loan Against Property (LAP) and home loans, is seen as the next significant growth driver, with its share in total AUM rising to 33% and is now ready for scaling after 10-12 years of development.
Strategic Focus
Challenges in Newer Segments
The company is reworking product strategies for CSEL and SME loans due to pricing and profitability issues, acknowledging these segments are still evolving and need time to stabilize.
Focus on Established and Growing Areas
Chola Finance is actively investing in and scaling up its mortgage business, which has matured over the years. The company also plans to build a ₹1,500 crore gold loan book over the next two to three years, despite higher operational costs, and is expanding its gold loan branches.
- Company
- Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (Chola Finance)
- Primary Focus
- Mortgage business (LAP and Home Loans)
- Secondary Focus
- Vehicle Finance, Gold Loans
- Assets Under Management (AUM) as of Q2FY26
- ₹1.99 lakh crore
- Vehicle Finance Share of AUM
- 54%
- Mortgage Business Share of AUM
- 33% (up from 30% YoY)
- Gold Loan Portfolio (Q2FY26)
- ₹456 crore (up from ₹97 crore in Q1)
- Projected Gold Loan Book Size
- ₹1,500 crore in 2-3 years