Paytm is likely to resume its lending platform operations in the first week of March, enabling partner banks and NBFCs to restart offering digital loans to customers. Paytm had paused new loan originations in early February as lending partners sought clarity after RBI restrictions on its payments bank arm.
The lending platform business is handled by One97 Communications and is not linked to the operations of Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), which faces RBI curbs. Paytm basically provides the technology platform for banks and financial services companies to offer loans and credit cards.
Lending platform not linked to PPBL operations
During an investor call on February 1st, Paytm’s management had stated that lending partners were addressing some concerns before restarting services. The pause was also to help nearly 60,000 merchants who use PPBL accounts for loan repayments to migrate to other bank accounts seamlessly.
The RBI had barred PPBL from taking fresh deposits and undertaking credit transactions from end February, before extending the deadline to March 15th over regulatory non-compliance. Previously in March 2022, RBI had prohibited PPBL from taking on new customers for KYC violations.
The lending platform had been briefly paused as partners like Shriram Finance, Aditya Birla Capital and HDFC Bank wanted clarity on RBI’s action against PPBL and its impact on their credit operations via Paytm.
RBI bars PPBL from new deposits and credit
With the deadline now being extended to mid-March, Paytm seems to have worked out interim arrangements and addressal of partner concerns, paving way for resumption of lending services.
Paytm also continues to be in talks with banks for payments partnerships so UPI services remain unaffected for users after March 15 deadline expires for PPBL.
So while PPBL faces uncertainties amid RBI probe, Paytm’s broader lending and payments services now restart after brief technology integration and regulatory clarity driven suspension.
