The reason for the rise of these NBFIs is threefold: first, there is a pull factor, as they operate in
the gap being left by extremely risk-averse commercial banks after the Asian crisis. In this sense,
they are dynamic forces competing with banks but without a licence (Rajan & Zingales, 2003).
Second, there is a push factor, as these loans tentatively overcome the strong reliance of the
banking system on collateralized loans, collateral mainly provided by real estate (see Menkhoff,
Neuberger, & Suwanaporn, 2006). Instead, their rationale is based on other assets, such as
durable consumer goods in hire-purchase, or income streams, as in their personal loan business.
Third, NBFIs are tolerated to operate by authorities – despite a lack of consistent regulation –
because they expand the available loan volume, in particular because they serve low income
households which have less access to loans provided by banks and finally because they provide
some competition to the established banking sector.