EFFECT OF INFORMATION SHARING FUNCTION ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SAVINGS AND CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the study was to establish effect of credit information sharing on financial performance of SACCOs in Kenya. Studies have indicated that countries are establishing credit registries to reduce defaults, caused by information asymmetry, which have been a crisis for most financial institutions. Various financial institutions including SACCOs which have the business of lending are currently subjecting their customers in credit reference bureaus. Literature indicates that credit defaults have continued to pose financial crisis for financial institutions. Many studies done indicate that credit default is caused by lack or inadequate accurate credit information. In Kenya, through the Banking Act of 2009 saw the establishment of the first credit reference bureau in 2010 where individuals and business entities were to be subjected to CRBs. This study sought to establish the effect of information sharing on financial performance of SACCOs in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design which was both quantitative and qualitative. The target population was 181 and a sample of 135 (74.5%) licensed deposit taking SACCOs as at 31^st December 2014 was used. The choice of the licensed deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya was very objective since they offer employment opportunities for our youth. In most cases SACCOs deal with a larger group of clients from the informal sector as opposed to other financial institutions like banks and so it was possible to obtain information that is representative of Kenya. Secondary data was collected from published financial records and CRBs while primary data was collected through questionnaires which were administered to the top managers of the SACCOs. The study established that credit information sharing has a significant and positive relationship with financial performance of the sampled SACCOs. The study highlights effect of credit information sharing with possible recommendations for improvement on financial performance.

Findings: The study concluded that there was a significant and positive relationship between information sharing function and financial performance thus the existence of credit reference bureaus was suitable for improving financial performance of SACCOs. Thus Credit reference bureaus have led to share of negative credit reports; Credit reference bureaus have led to improved defaults rate of borrowers, improved lenders response rate on credit lending and have reduced existence of privacy on borrowers' credit history.

Recommendation: Credit information sharing should be addressed through networking of all credit information amongst lenders so that lenders can have readily available credit information, both positive and negative, on the borrowers which would be shared across all lenders.