Bank of Baroda (BoB), India’s second-largest public sector lender, is shifting its focus to retail loan growth, particularly in home loans, as it seeks to capitalize on a 20% compound annual growth rate for the next three years. The bank’s retail loan book is expected to increase to around 32% of its total loan book in the next three years, up from 27% currently. Home loans currently account for around 51% of BoB’s loan book, lower than the 55% of its larger peer State Bank of India (SBI).
However, the bank is now giving home loans a renewed push, particularly with the success of its personal and auto loans slowing down. Automating credit appraisals using Aadhaar for KYC and new score card models have reduced the turnaround time for home loans, allowing the bank to scale up its housing portfolio. With a vast network of 8,300 branches, including over 50% in rural and semi-urban areas, BoB is well-positioned to tap into the growing demand for home loans.
The bank’s strategy involves tie-ups with auto companies to offer loans to their employees, as well as targeting corporate account employees with personal loans. This diversification of its retail loan book is expected to help BoB stay ahead of the competition and maintain its growth momentum. With its extensive branch network and efforts to digitize its lending processes, the bank is well-equipped to tap into the growing demand for home loans and capitalize on the expected growth in the retail loan segment.