Informal Credit Networks Study (SMEs)
Map how small and medium enterprise owners evaluate, navigate, and choose between informal lenders, trade credit, and formal channels, so you can sharpen acquisition targeting, fix pricing positioning, and improve conversion across underserved segments.
CONTEXT & RELEVANCE
Why run this survey now
Most lenders don't lose SME borrowers purely on interest rates. They lose them due to opaque eligibility criteria, collateral inflexibility, relationship trust deficits, turnaround unpredictability, and mismatched repayment structures, none of which fully show up in loan origination systems or portfolio delinquency reports.
If you are...
- Formal lender vs informal network
- NBFC targeting underserved SME segments
- Credit product head, SME portfolio
- Distribution or channel growth lead
- Fintech scaling SME lending volume
You're likely facing...
- SME fit gap: formal vs informal
- Drop-offs at collateral or appraisal stage
- Formal lenders = rigid/slow perception
- Informal networks = trusted/faster perception
- Repeat borrowing lost to moneylenders
This will help answer...
- Trust drivers beyond rate
- Informal credit entry and exit points
- Segment preference by SME type
- Fee, tenure, and flexibility thresholds
- Switching triggers to formal credit
RESEARCH THEMES
What This Survey Investigates
Eight interconnected research themes that map the complete informal credit journey from first borrowing to network loyalty.
Discovery & Trust
- First lender contact channel
- Referral source, community ties
Preference Drivers
- Informal vs. formal credit choice
- Speed, flexibility, documentation burden
Product & Terms
- Loan size, tenure, repayment structure
- Collateral norms, verbal vs. written
Journey Friction
- Drop-off points, failed borrowing attempts
- Dispute resolution, repayment stress
Pricing & WTP
- Effective interest rate awareness
- Fee tolerance, hidden charge exposure
Usage & Stickiness
- Borrowing frequency, repeat cycle
- Multi-lender reliance, network depth
Formalization Readiness
- Formal credit barriers, documentation gaps
- Digital lending awareness, trial intent
Network & Advocacy
- Referral behavior, lender recommendation
- Community credit norms, peer influence
SAMPLING STRATEGY
Tell us about your ideal sample
Help us understand your target respondent profile. Select what applies, we'll design the optimal sample plan based on your inputs.
METHODOLOGY
Survey approach
For the Informal Credit Networks Study (SMEs), we recommend a quant-first design with flexible data-collection modes to balance reach, depth, and verification across formal and informal borrowing segments.
EXECUTION PROCESS
How we execute
A proven 9-step process from scoping to delivery, designed to ensure quality, speed, and actionable insights.
Define the decision frame
Confirm objectives, target cohorts, geographies, and reporting cuts
Define the decision frame
Design the instrument
Build workstream modules mapped to outputs (drivers, friction, pricing, retention, trust)
Design the instrument
Lock the questionnaire
Review wording, sequencing, LOI, and competitive context; approve final version
Lock the questionnaire
Pilot and calibrate
Test comprehension and ease quality; refine quotas and remove friction where needed
Pilot and calibrate
Run fieldwork
Execute collection with active quota management and feasibility controls
Run fieldwork
Assure quality
Dedupe, attention checks, speed/consistency rules, removals with audit trail
Assure quality
Prepare the dataset
Clean data and deliver codebook/variable definitions
Prepare the dataset
Analyse and synthesise
Driver ranking, leakage diagnostics, pricing bands, segment insights
Analyse and synthesise
Deliver and align
Executive deck (optional dashboard) and leadership readout with recommendations
Deliver and align
COMMERCIAL TERMS
Request a Commercial Proposal
Pricing depends on cohort, geography, sample size, approach, LOI, and deliverables. Configure below for an indicative estimate.
Select Sample Size
Geography
Select Mode of Survey
Length of the Interview
$0.00
+ applicable taxes
Cost Breakdown
Note: Estimate is indicative only. Final pricing is subject to scope finalization after discovery call.
REFERENCE CASELETS
Reference
Real-world examples of survey work in the informal SME credit space.
Moneylender reliance & exit triggers among micro-enterprises (India)
OBJECTIVE
WHAT WE DID
DELIVERED
Moneylender reliance & exit triggers among micro-enterprises (India)
Trade credit terms & supplier trust dynamics among small retailers (India)
Moneylender reliance & exit triggers among micro-enterprises (India)
OBJECTIVE
A digital-first NBFC needed to identify which micro-enterprise segments remained locked into moneylender relationships and what specific trigger events prompted those borrowers to consider a formal credit alternative for the first time.
WHAT WE DID
Ran a structured quant survey across 480 micro-enterprise owners in 6 Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, capturing lender tenure, trigger event type, perceived switching cost, documentation readiness, and trust signals that shifted preference toward formal channels.
DELIVERED
A segment-level trigger map ranking exit conditions by enterprise type, a switching friction list ordered by severity, and a set of channel entry levers tied to the 3 highest-frequency trigger events across the sample.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about this survey mandate.
What decisions will this survey enable?
Who is the buyer vs who are the respondents?
Can we see differences between trade credit users, moneylender-dependent borrowers and rotating savings group members?
How will you measure informal lender preference beyond simple ratings?
Will the survey map the full informal borrowing journey and drop-offs?
Can this survey inform product and pricing strategy?
How will findings improve our SME credit acquisition and onboarding strategy?
Still have questions?
Schedule a discovery call to discuss your specific needs and get a custom quote.