NBFCs must ensure fair, empathetic loan recovery; avoid financial exploitation: FM Sitharaman –

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted that the loan recovery practices of Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) must be conducted in a fair, empathetic and respectful manner, as well as strictly aligning with the  RBI’s Fair Practices Code. She stated this while addressing the NBFC Symposium 2025 in New Delhi.  The Minister​ ​said that financial inclusion cannot be used as a pretext for financial exploitation. She added that lending should be based on the genuine needs and repayment capacity of customers. Ms Sitharaman noted that loans should not be aggressively marketed and pushed onto individuals, and interest rates should be reasonable.
 
The Minister also underscored the need for NBFCs to integrate governance, risk management, and customer protection as part of their core beliefs and ethics.