How To Develop an Instant Loan App like CashNow

Amid financial difficulties, users seek credit solutions that offer instant approvals and disbursement. Unfortunately, banking procedures take time, and customers have to provide multiple documents to secure loans. In such situations, instant loan apps can come in handy.

Global challenges often offer exciting business opportunities you can’t miss.

The financial uncertainty since the COVID-19 pandemic presents an unusual opportunity you can consider.

People struggling to make ends meet often seek credit to clear crucial payments. However, getting a loan from a bank is a fairly difficult process. It involves multiple documents, guarantees, procedures, verifications, and the applicant’s credit history. If anything doesn’t meet their criteria, banks often reject loan applications.

However, not everyone is looking for a car or a home loan. Sometimes, they look for micro-loans to clear certain immediate payments. This is where instant loan apps prove super useful.

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In this post, we’ll discuss why instant loan apps like CashNow stay in demand and how you can build one yourself. 

What is CashNow?

CashNow is a micro-loan app that provides instant cash advance credit to your bank account or wallet. Its responsive UI and quick loan approvals make it popular among users.

In exchange for such a service, businesses like CashNow charge higher interest rates than conventional bank loans. This is why money-lending apps are so profitable. 

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Why Should You Create an Instant Loan App?

Creating an instant loan app can be a smart business move.

When someone needs money urgently, they don’t want to spend hours at a bank filling out paperwork. A lending app enables fast approvals and provides instant credit.

The digital lending market is expected to be valued at $8.2 billion by 2028, showing huge growth potential.

But why is now the perfect time to build a loan app? First, the pandemic has changed how people think about banking. More people prefer handling their finances through apps rather than visiting physical locations. This shift in behavior isn’t temporary – it’s becoming the new normal.

Moreover, amid financial hardships, instant loan apps prove to be quite useful. Traditional banks also often can’t serve everyone who needs loans. Their strict requirements and long approval processes leave many potential borrowers looking for alternatives. 

Your loan app can fill this gap by offering faster, more accessible lending options.

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How Do Money Lending Apps Work?

1. User Onboarding

The user journey starts with a simple signup process. Borrowers provide basic personal and financial information to create an account, such as name, contact details, income proof, bank statements, etc. Advanced apps may also access credit bureau data or other alternative data to gauge creditworthiness.

2. Loan Application

When in need of funds, borrowers can apply for a loan directly via the app interface. The application captures key loan details, such as loan amount, tenure, purpose, etc. Some apps even use AI chatbots to obtain necessary information and guide users during this process.

3. Risk Analysis Algorithms

Lending apps leverage proprietary algorithms and statistical models to analyze user data and determine the risk profile of borrowers. These complex backend systems assess parameters like income levels, repayment capacity, credit history, etc., to approve or decline applications.

4. Approval and Disbursal

Eligible borrowers are instantly notified of their loan approval via SMS or in-app notifications. Once approved, the required loan amount is quickly credited to the user’s bank account. Advanced payment gateways enable real-time transfer of funds, resulting in near-instant disbursals.

5. Repayment and Collections

Users can conveniently manage loan repayment from within the app. Flexible options are provided to repay in EMIs or lumpsum payments via multiple payment modes. Apps send payment reminders prior to the due date. In case of delays, follow-up procedures for loan recovery are initiated through notifications, emails, or calls.

6. Special Features

Additional features that lending apps offer include intuitive dashboards to view loan details, early settlement options, loyalty programs, credit health tracking, and personalized offers based on AI analytics, among others. Such value-adds enhance user experience.

7. Bank Partnerships

To enable seamless transactions, lending platforms maintain partnerships with banks and NBFCs. These alliances allow direct access to the important financial infrastructure needed for lending, like payment gateways, credit profiles, regulatory clearances, etc.

8. Data Security

Robust data security measures like encryption and tokenization authentication safeguard users’ personal information. Secure cloud platforms and regular security audits further bolster privacy protection and build trust.

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Steps to Build an Instant Loan App

1. Define Target Audience

First, determine who requires instant, emergency access to cash. Common target groups include salaried professionals, small business owners, gig workers, and others with urgent money needs. Analyzing their core pain points will help design suitable solutions.

2. Design User Journey

Next, map the end-to-end user journey, from signup to loan approval and disbursement. Key touchpoints include user onboarding, application, approval notifications, disbursals, repayment, support, etc. Maintain process simplicity and minimize user requests for information.

3. Integrate Verification APIs

Integrate required verification APIs within the app to instantly confirm user identities and credentials. Examples include OTP and PAN verification, Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, and bank statement analysis. Automate processes where possible for faster approvals and disbursals.

4. Develop Risk Analysis Engine

It is vital to have a robust risk engine that evaluates user data to determine their credit score and eligibility. Data analytics and machine learning can be utilized to build, train, and test alternative credit models tailored to the needs of the target audience.

5. Enable Instant Disbursal

Partner with banks and payment gateways to transfer approved loan amounts directly and instantly to borrower accounts. Allow for multiple payment modes, including credit cards, UPI, etc, for flexible disbursals.

6. Send Payment Reminders

Schedule automated reminders via notifications for upcoming EMIs. Also, provides users the flexibility to pay in parts or prepay as appropriate. Follow-up with customers regarding overdue repayments through messages, emails, or dedicated agents.

7. Build an Intuitive App Interface

Create easy app navigation flows, clean designs, and straightforward interfaces for a superior user experience. Also, you should allow easy access to loan details, statements, etc.

8. Follow Security Best Practices

Robust security is non-negotiable, including data encryption, regular app testing, server monitoring, and other measures. Moreover, compliance with applicable lending laws and regulatory acts is essential.

9. Plan Monetization Strategy

Finally, revenue generation can be defined by finalizing interest rates, subscription plans, or credit line pricing. Maintain reasonable charges and flexibility for customers. Also, explore additional income via value-added services, commissions, etc.

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How Much Does it Cost to Make a Loan Lending App?

• UI/UX Design Cost: The look and feel of the app interface directly impacts usage. Hence, dedicating funds to intuitive and appealing UI/UX design is a must. Industry charges for wireframing, prototypes, visual designs, etc., can vary from $1,000 to $5,000 and upwards.
• Custom Frontend Cost: The consumer-facing app interface enables convenient interactions and needs customized development across Android and iOS platforms. Approximate charges for expert mobile front-end development range from $8,000 to $25,000.
• Backend Development Cost: This includes building an entire backend system for seamlessly coordinating app functions. Vital components like databases, APIs, payment integrations, and underwriting engines get covered. Be prepared for $12,000 to $50,000 based on complexity.
• Third-Party Integrations Cost: Connecting to external services is common. This includes SMS gateways, Credit bureaus, eKYC systems, Payment systems, Banks, etc., to enable various workflows. We recommend setting aside at least $1,000 – $5,000 for such integrations.
• Admin Panel Cost: The admin portal for managing users, loan lifecycles, notifications, transactions, etc., is a must. Typically, it starts from $2,000 based on the number of functionalities.
• Hosting Cost: Your lending platform end-users will be spread across different regions. Hence, catering to traffic spikes via seamless cloud infrastructure is crucial. Server hosting, storage, and related maintenance annually amounts to $5,000 – $10,000 or more.
• Security Audit Expense: Rigorous app testing by cybersecurity experts to fix vulnerabilities cannot be ignored, given the sensitive nature of financial data being dealt with. Every auditing cycle can cost over $10,000.
• App Maintenance Charges: Post-launch upgrades, bug fixes, support, etc., add to app maintenance costs. Keep aside at least 20% of overall development costs for continuous yearly improvements. Based on the required resources, capabilities, and teams needed to build a stable and safe money lending app, the cost of developing an app like CashNow can range between $80,000 and $150,000, as per your specific requirements and product vision. However, by outsourcing mobile app development, you can save significantly on these costs.

Final Thoughts

Building an instant loan app presents an exciting business opportunity you shouldn’t miss.

However, building such an app involves many risks and requires an extensive team of developers, QA engineers, project managers, and FinTech experts.

If you lack the technical muscle to execute such a project, consider partnering with Cubix. 

We’re a mobile app development company that has built many successful FinTech apps and platforms.

Connect with us, and we’ll see how we can help you realize your product vision.