Credit Information Bureau Ltd (Cibil) has pointed out that average personal loans sanctioned in the third quarter of current calendar year increased by 29 percent as compared to same period last year.

"The growth is surprising since 2007 was considered the peak in personal loan disbursals, before banks turned more prudent in giving out unsecured loans," said Arun Thukral managing director, Cibil.

He however said that number of acquisitions in small-ticket loans had decreased.

The MD said that there was an increase in home loan sanctions also. Home loan sanctions grew by 57 percent in the third quarter of 2009 over that sanctioned in Q3 2007.

Cibil, a storehouse of information collected by member banks, had launched a personal score in May 2009. It has also launched ‘Market Insights' to enable banks to check their ranks in the industry in a particular category of loans.

Presently, around 188 banks and non-banking finance institutions (NBFCs) are members of Cibil and have provided it with information on their loan accounts. These members use the data on borrowers before providing loans and credit cards.

Now an individual can access his credit report online. All he has to do is fill up an application form available at CIBIL'S website, attach a draft of Rs. 142 and mail it along with an identity proof to Cibil. The credit report will reach him within a week (as per Arun Thakral, the managing director of Cibil).