Are you tired of paying your loan EMIs and is it taking a toll on your health? Are you a genuine customer who is currently in a financial position which does not let you repay your loans on time? Would you like to share your worries with a well wisher who can, not only lend you an ear, but, maybe also do something to alleviate your problems? Help is at hand. That too free of cost! The BSCBI’s Credit Counseling Service.
The Banking Codes and Services Board of India offers a free of cost Credit Counseling service to Individuals who have taken Home Loans, Personal Loans, Vehicle Loan or incurred Credit card debt upto a maximum limit of Rs 50 Lakhs. The service is available only if you have taken a loan from member banks of BCSBI. The list of members currently has 80 banks which include all State Banks and mostly all Private Banks and many co-operative and rural banks. This service is also available to Micro and Small Enterprises.
How it takes place
1. Borrower directly contacts BCSBI
2. Lender refers distressed defaulters to BCSBI
The customer has to apply to BCSBI using an application form which is available online. (http://www.bcsbi.org.in/CreditCounselling.html). The customer is then asked to meet a credit counselor of BCSBI who takes into consideration all details and creates a debt restructuring plan if needed. This plan is done in consultation with the bank which has lent to the said customer. It must be said that, there is no compulsion that the bank has to accept the plan. It is free to reject it or accept it partially or completely depending upon its own views. The BCSBI Counselor only acts as mediator.
Confidentiality
All the details shared by customer and bank with the credit counselor are kept highly confidential and customers can confidently share all details with counselor to get the best relief possible.
The BSCBI has also encouraged banks to appoint a nodal officer, preferably from the credit department, to ensure that there is high efficiency and commitment in the entire process. This also ensures that the banks views are communicated faster.
Where and When
The only limitation of this process is that the counseling currently happens only in Mumbai on all working days from 10AM to 2:00 PM. But customers can apply online to get a prior appointment.
The borrower has to give a self attestation that the issue is not under arbitration in any other forum or court or arbitrator while filling the form. If such a case exists the counselor will not entertain the request for counseling.
Customer’ duty
The customer is expected to transparently give all the details regarding his current financial status including asset details, income details, and monthly expenses apart from the complete details of the loan under consideration. The counselor will also expect to get a clear commitment of the customer’s ability to pay at present to decide on the restructuring.
Conclusion
The service is to help in debt restructuring and is NOT to help a customer get a waiver on repayment. Also, there is no compulsion on either parties (customer or bank) to accept the recommendations of the counselor.
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