Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Chola Revamps Digital Lending with In-House Platform
Chola, a big finance company in India, is trying digital lending again but this time they are doing it all by themselves.
Before, they worked with other tech companies to give out small loans, but they stopped because it was too complicated and people were taking too many loans they couldn't pay back.
Now, they are only giving loans to people who have already borrowed from them before.
They use WhatsApp to make the process easy.
Chola is also using computers and smart technology to help them make better decisions.
They have lots of offices all over India, even in very small towns, which helps them understand their customers better.
The company is doing well and making a lot of money, and they plan to keep growing.
Chola has launched an in-house digital lending platform, moving away from fintech partnerships due to compliance and governance issues.
The new model focuses on existing customers with personalized WhatsApp-based loan applications, disbursing ₹75-100 crore monthly.
Chola's diversified business includes vehicle finance (54% of loan book), consumer finance (10%), and mortgage products.
The company reported strong financial performance in FY25 with total income of ₹28,116 crore and profit after tax of ₹4,372 crore.
Chola leverages a vast physical network across India, including rural areas, and is integrating AI to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
- Who
- Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (Chola)
- What
- Rebooted digital lending with an in-house platform
- When
- After scaling back fintech-partner model in 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To maintain quality and growth, and to adapt to tighter regulations
- Company
- Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (Chola)
- Digital Lending Model
- In-house, end-to-end controlled platform
- Previous Digital Lending Book
- ₹500 crore/month
- Current Digital Lending Disbursement
- ₹75-100 crore/month
- Loan Ticket Sizes
- ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh
- Total Income (FY25)
- ₹28,116 crore
- Net Income (FY25)
- ₹14,583 crore
- Profit After Tax (FY25)
- ₹4,372 crore
- Total AUM (March 2025)
- ₹2 trillion
- Customer Base
- Over 43 lakh