Collateral Free Loans Under CGTMSE
The term collateral refers to a physical guarantee that a borrower gives a lender to secure a loan. Physical assets like real estate, large machinery and equipment, commercial vehicles, personal guarantor, security deposit, etc., are considered collateral. Any loan issued by considering collateral is termed a collateral loan. Collateral Loans or secured loans issue rights to the loan provider to seize the asset in case a borrower defaults on loan repayment.
Collateral Free Loans
Contrary to secured loans, any loan issued without any security is termed as collateral-free loan. Also called unsecured loans, these loans are issued only to eligible businesses that meet the desired criteria.
Collateral-free Loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust (CGT)
The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has been established by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Government of India and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The scheme was initiated to facilitate credit flow to micro and small enterprises and to strengthen the credit delivery system in the country.
The scheme helps budding entrepreneurs having bankable business ideas but lack collateral security or third-party guarantee to get loans from formal banks. The scheme further provides a guarantee for all the loans, thus helping micro and small enterprises to access credit.
Under the CGTMSE scheme, eligible financial institutions will provide term or working capital loans up to Rs.5 Crore without collateral. Each bank has a maximum cap to provide loans.
- Up to Rs.50 lakh by RRBs, select financial institutions or microfinance institutions.
- Up to Rs.2 Crore by small finance banks and scheduled urban co-operative banks, state co-operative banks and district central co-operative banks.
- Up to Rs. 5 Crore by scheduled commercial banks, and select financial institutions.
Credit Guarantee Cover
The guarantee coverage under the CGTMSE scheme is provided as mentioned below
- For micro enterprises availing loan amounts up to Rs.5 lakh – 85% of the loan will have guarantee cover, 75% for loans above Rs.5 lakh to Rs.5 Crore
- For MSMEs located in North East Region, for loans up to Rs.50 lakh – up to 80% of the amount will have a credit guarantee, and 75% for loans up to Rs.5 Crore.
- For Women, SC/ST entrepreneurs, persons with Disability, MSEs located in Aspirational District, ZED certified MSEs and MSEs promoted by Agniveers, an 85% of credit guarantee is provided for loans up to Rs.5 Crore
- For all other categories of applicants, a fixed percentage of 75% of the loan amount will be covered under a credit guarantee.
Tenure of Guarantee Cover
The tenure of Guarantee cover is for the agreed tenure of the loan. For working capital loans, the guarantee cover is for 5 years.
Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF)
For availing of the credit guarantee, borrowers need to pay an annual guarantee fee (AGF) on the guaranteed amount for the first year and on the outstanding amount for the remaining tenure, as detailed below
| Loan Amount | Standard AGF |
| Up to Rs.10 lakh | 0.37% |
| From Rs.10 lakh to Rs.50 lakh | 0.55% |
| From Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 Crore | 0.60% |
| From Rs.1 Crore to Rs.2 Crore | 1.20% |
| From Rs.2 Crore to Rs.5 Crore | 1.35% |
The fee should be paid within 30 days from the date of the first disbursement of the credit loan or 30 days from the date of Demand Advice (CGDAN) of the guarantee fee, whichever is later or such date as specified by the Trust.
Eligible Businesses For Collateral-Free Loans
- New and existing MSEs in the manufacturing and services sector, including retail trade.
- Businesses related to Agriculture and Self Help Groups (SHG) are not eligible.
FAQs on Working Capital Loan
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) is a trust set up by the Government of India and SIDBI to provide collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises. Micro and small enterprises from the manufacturing and service sector with a maximum investment in plant and machinery of up to Rs. 10 Crore and Rs. 5 Crore, respectively, can apply for collateral-free loans under CGTMSE. The maximum loan amount available under CGTMSE is Rs. 2 Crore. Yes, a one-time guarantee fee and an annual service fee need to be paid for availing of CGTMSE guarantee coverage. No, a borrower can approach only one bank or financial institution to avail of collateral-free loans under CGTMSE. The repayment period for collateral-free loans under CGTMSE depends on the nature of the credit facility and can range from 3 to 7 years. The interest rate for collateral-free loans is determined by the lending institution and can vary based on factors such as the credit score of the borrower, the nature of the credit facility, etc. Yes, collateral-free loans under CGTMSE can be availed for both term loans and working capital requirements.What is CGTMSE?
Who can apply for collateral-free loans under CGTMSE?
What is the maximum loan amount that can be availed under CGTMSE?
Is there any fee for availing of CGTMSE guarantee coverage?
Can a borrower approach multiple banks to avail of collateral-free loans under CGTMSE?
What is the repayment period for collateral-free loans under CGTMSE?
What is the interest rate for collateral-free loans under CGTMSE?
Can a borrower avail of collateral-free loans under CGTMSE for working capital requirements?