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Answer» Some of the advantages in using BCs as listed below:
- A better alternative for bank branches : Generally, a rural bank branch can serve 5,000 to 10,000 families in 15 to 20 villages within a radius of 15 kms. A Public Sector Bank branch may require more than 5 years to serve unbanked areas in India, while a private sector & FOREIGN bank with IT connectivity may require about 5 times more time. Further, OBTAINING PERMISSION to open a branch is a long and protracted process. The BC option potentially enables banks to reach out much faster and at a much lower cost.
- Reaching the unreached : The model enable banks to extend financial services to the unreached clients beyond their branch network as beneficiaries of the BCs are mostly located at unbanked and under banked areas.
- Better loan performance: Since local stakeholders LIKE NGOs, post offices, etc., are INVOLVED in the process, they know the customers at a personal level. The personal connection enhances the customers' accountability to the BC, which in turn improves loan performance and repayment rates.
- Doorstep banking: D isbursement and loan recovery at the doorsteps of the beneficiary.
- Quick expansion: Scaling up of this model is possible within a short span of time.
Some of the advantages in using BCs as listed below:
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