An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Sunil Talreja, Business Head Auto Loans & Car Par Loan – FINQY
In this exclusive interview, Mr. Sunil Talreja, Business Head of Auto Loans & Car Par Loans at FINQY, shares valuable insights on the evolving auto finance landscape. He highlights market trends, customer-centric innovations, and FINQY’s role in transforming car lending solutions.
Can you share your professional journey and what led you to take on the role of Business Head for Auto Loans at FINQY®?
Sunil Talreja: My journey in auto finance began in Indore, where I managed the business almost single-handedly, meeting customers, cultivating relationships with dealers, and ensuring timely disbursements.
It was a grassroots experience that gave me deep insight into borrower behavior and market gaps. Over time, I realized the business model was working, but the real opportunity was in scaling it into a structured, brand-backed, tech-enabled operation. That’s what led me to FINQY®.
Here, I found the platform to transform a regional success into a pan-India vertical powered by digital processes and a strong team.
Today, our Auto Loan business at FINQY® ranks among the top three players in India, disbursing nearly 4,000 loans a month—around ₹200 crore monthly.
It has been a rewarding journey from being a one-person army to leading one of the largest portfolios in the sector.
What differentiates FINQY®’s approach to auto loans from traditional lending institutions?
Sunil Talreja: Traditional lenders still follow a one-size-fits-all model, where credit score and documentation are the only levers. This creates friction. Customers face endless paperwork, weeks of waiting, and opaque charges.
At FINQY®, we redesigned the process around personalization and speed. Using advanced analytics and AI-driven assessments, we look beyond the credit score to evaluate intent and financial behavior. This allows us to recommend the most suitable product – whether it’s a new car loan, a used car loan, or a loan against a car.
We’re also digitizing the entire journey:
- WhatsApp chatbot for instant eligibility checks
- Digital KYC instead of piles of paperwork
- Quick disbursals within hours, not weeks
The result? No dealer bias. No hidden charges. Just a transparent, customer-first experience that aligns with India’s digital-first lifestyle.
How do you see the Indian auto loan industry evolving with the rise of EVs and changing consumer preferences?
Sunil Talreja: The auto loan industry is entering a transformation phase. EV adoption is picking up, driven by FAME II incentives, state subsidies, and growing environmental consciousness. At the same time, younger buyers are more focused on flexibility, affordability, and sustainability.
This shift means financing must evolve. Beyond traditional loans, we’ll see:
- Subscription-based financing models
- Residual value-linked loans where resale value risk is shared
- Bundled products covering insurance, charging, and servicing
EV financing in particular requires innovation—factoring in battery costs, uncertain resale values, and higher upfront investments.
At FINQY®, we’re already exploring EV-specific solutions to ensure customers can adopt new technology without financial barriers.
What innovative products or features is FINQY® introducing to make auto financing more accessible?
Sunil Talreja: One of our flagship innovations is the Loan Against Car. Through this offering, we help customers unlock up to 200% of their car’s value while continuing to drive it. For middle-class families and small businesses, this stream of credit can be a lifeline, giving them access to liquidity without having to part with an essential asset.
We’re also rolling out:
- Pre-approved offers powered by alternate data
- AI-driven credit engines for faster approvals
- Flexible repayment options aligned with cash flows
Our aim is to make credit truly inclusive, and to that end, we believe accessibility is breaking down barriers, whether it’s cost, documentation, or awareness.
Do you see partnerships with automakers, dealerships, or fintechs as key to future growth?
Sunil Talreja: Absolutely. The future lies in ecosystem-based financing. Customers increasingly expect an integrated journey where buying, insuring, and financing a car happen seamlessly.
- Automaker and dealer partnerships help us embed financing at the point of sale, reducing friction for buyers.
- Fintech collaborations allow us to tap into cutting-edge capabilities—such as alternative credit scoring, digital KYC, and hyper-personalized engagement.
At FINQY®, we see ourselves not just as a lender, but as a platform connecting multiple stakeholders to offer maximum value to the end customer.
What steps are you taking to make auto loans more inclusive for underserved or first-time buyers?
Sunil Talreja: First-time buyers often face barriers such as a lack of credit history, limited paperwork, or a fear of complex processes. At FINQY®, we address this in three ways:
- Expanded credit models – We look beyond bureau scores to analyze digital payments, cash flows, and alternative data.
- Simplified documentation – eKYC and video verification ensure approvals without endless paperwork.
- Awareness campaigns – Educating customers about financing options so they can make informed decisions.
Our mission is to empower those excluded by traditional systems, giving them fair access to car ownership and mobility.
What are the biggest challenges in today’s auto loan sector, and how are you addressing them?
Sunil Talreja: The challenges are two-fold:
- Economic volatility that comes from rising interest rates and uncertain resale values, especially for EVs, increases portfolio risk.
- Customer mistrust resulting from hidden charges and opaque terms.
We address these through:
- Transparent pricing policies with zero hidden fees
- Digitized collections to make repayments frictionless
- Real-time portfolio monitoring via our tech-first risk management frameworks
While there is little we can do about the economic volatility, for the rest, our approach is to build trust and resilience.
What advice would you offer to young professionals aspiring to build careers in banking and fintech?
Sunil Talreja: I’d share three lessons:
- Stay curious and adaptable. Thanks to technology, banking and fintech are today an evolving industry at a fast pace, with new technologies and models emerging. Embracing them is key.
- Balance data with empathy. Finance is about people -their aspirations and anxieties. Never lose sight of the human side.
- Think long-term. Short-term wins are tempting, but sustainable success comes from solving real problems and building trust.
If you can combine domain expertise with passion for innovation, fintech and banking are among the most happening industries to build a career in today.
Mr. Talreja’s vision reflects FINQY’s commitment to driving smarter, seamless, and accessible auto financing for customers.
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