Pragati Webinar on "Collections and Risk Management in the Lending Industry"

The first session of the Pragati Webinar Series for FY2026 took place on April 23 (Wednesday). It focused on “Collections and Risk Management in the Lending Industry.”

The session featured an engaging fireside chat on “Data-Driven Lending: The Future of Risk Management and Collections Practices in the Era of Open Finance” with Anubhav Agarwal, Head of Product Technology and New Businesses at Stashfin, and Abhishek Varshney, Senior Lead – Partnerships at Sahamati. 

Drawing on his deep expertise in consumer finance and B2B SaaS, Anubhav shared real-world insights into the transformative impact of Account Aggregators (AAs) on the lending landscape. He emphasized how verified banking data accessed via AAs enables lenders to make faster, more accurate credit decisions, especially for new-to-credit (NTC) customers who lack traditional credit histories. Institutions adopting AA-based data strategies have seen approval rates double without rising defaults, boosting operational efficiency and advancing financial inclusion.

Following the fireside chat, two prominent Technical Service Providers (TSPs)—Finarkein Analytics and Ignosis Systems—delivered insightful presentations on practical innovations in data-driven lending. Kunal Ahirwar, Senior Product Manager at Finarkein, and Yash Surana, Head of Growth and Strategy at Ignosis, showcased real-world use cases and technologies that are helping lenders optimize risk management and collections through intelligent automation and data analytics.

A central theme of the discussion was the value of verified data over traditional alternatives like PDF bank statements, which are prone to fraud and manipulation. The regulated nature of AAs provides a secure and standardized method of accessing real-time customer financial information, enabling better underwriting and reducing the risk of fraud.

Another highlight was the growing focus on improving loan collections using technology. Speakers introduced several innovations, including “Smart Collect,” a data-driven solution that dynamically determines the best time to present mandates. This approach significantly increases NACH success rates. It also reduces the need for repeated borrower contact, cutting field agent efforts by half.

Beyond collections, advanced monitoring tools now provide early warning signals about changes in borrower behavior, enabling lenders to intervene proactively. These tools help track financial stress using “stress scores” and alert systems, reducing default risk and operational losses. 

The webinar also addressed compliance and customer consent. Presenters discussed the need for clear, accessible consent mechanisms and ongoing customer engagement to ensure data usage remains compliant and transparent. 

In conclusion, the webinar showcased how Account Aggregators, intelligent data use, and innovative tech products create a more efficient, inclusive, and resilient lending ecosystem. By leveraging verified data and real-time insights, lenders can enhance credit access, reduce risks, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. The session ended with an invitation for further collaboration and exploration through Sahamati’s platform and resources.

To watch the full recording of the session, please click here.