Relationship between Lending Requirements and Loan Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya

Abstract

Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies play an important role in providing financial services to many Kenyans. SACCOs have been identified as crucial growth engines in many countries across the world. According to the Sacco Society Regulatory Authority (SASRA) Annual report for 2021, the amount of NPLs increased from Kes 25.79 billion in 2019 to Kes 39.86 billion in 2020. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between lending requirements and loan performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya. The anchoring theory was credit default theory. The study used a causal approach research design with a target population of the study 11 SACCOs in Meru County selected using purposive sampling. Results showed that revealed a strong and positive relationship between the lending requirement and loan performance. The study concluded that lending requirements and loan performance are positively and significantly correlated. The study recommends that DT-SACCOs should have a credit risk management policy that guarantees loan repayment, accurate estimation of loan defaults, and suitable mitigation measures.