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Running a kirana store is not easy. You work long hours, manage stock, deal with suppliers, and still worry about making enough money. But here is good news in 2026, kirana store owners have a great new way to earn extra income. They can become loan agents and earn commission on every loan they help get approved.
Furthermore, you do not need a college degree or a finance background to start. All you need is your existing customer base, a smartphone, and some basic knowledge. So, let us dive into how this works and how you can get started today.
Who Are Loan Agents?
A loan agent is a person who connects borrowers with banks or lending companies. In other words, they help people apply for loans. When the loan gets approved, the agent earns a commission.
Loan agents are also called DSA agents, which stands for Direct Selling Agents. They work with banks, NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies), and fintech apps. Additionally, they are not employees — they are independent earners. This means you can do this job from your own store without leaving your business.
Moreover, loan agents help people get personal loans, business loans, home loans, gold loans, and more. The work is mostly done on a phone or a laptop. Therefore, it is a very flexible way to earn.
Why Kirana Store Owners Are Perfect for This Role
First of all, kirana store owners already know a lot of people in their area. Your customers trust you. They come to you every day. As a result, when you suggest a loan, they are more likely to listen.
Besides that, here are more reasons why kirana owners are ideal loan agents:
- Local trust: You are a known face in your community. People feel safe asking you for advice.
- Daily footfall: Dozens or even hundreds of people visit your store each day. This is a ready-made pool of potential loan customers.
- Understanding of customer needs: You already know who needs money for a festival, a wedding, a medical emergency, or a new business.
- Low setup cost: You do not need an office or extra staff. You can do it all from your existing shop.
- Flexible timing: You can work on loan referrals in between your normal shop hours.
Consequently, the combination of trust and footfall makes kirana owners one of the best candidates to become loan agents in India today.
How to Become a Loan Agent – Step by Step
The process is simpler than you think. Follow these steps to start earning commission as a loan agent:
Choose a bank or lending partner. First, decide which bank or NBFC you want to work with. Many options are available, HDFC, SBI, Bajaj Finserv, MoneyTap, KreditBee, and more. Compare their commission rates before you decide.
Register as a DSA agent. Go to the bank’s website or visit their branch. Fill out the DSA registration form. You will need your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and a cancelled cheque for bank details.
Sign the DSA agreement. After your application is reviewed, the bank will send you a DSA agreement. Read it carefully. It tells you the commission rate, rules, and your responsibilities.
Get your DSA code. Once the agreement is signed, you will receive a unique DSA code. This code is used to track every loan referral you make. All commissions are paid through this code.
Start referring customers. Now you are ready. When a customer visits your store and mentions needing money, tell them about loan options. Help them apply using your DSA link or code. Accordingly, when their loan is approved, you earn your commission.
Collect commission every month. The bank or NBFC will transfer the commission directly to your bank account. Most companies pay commissions monthly or after each loan disbursal.
In short, the whole process from registration to first commission can be completed in as little as one to two weeks. Therefore, there is no reason to wait.
Commission Rates – What You Can Earn
One of the most common questions is: How much will I actually earn? The answer depends on the type of loan, the lender, and the loan amount. However, here is a general overview of typical commission rates that loan agents earn in 2026:
| Loan Type | Average Loan Amount | DSA Commission Rate | Estimated Commission Earned |
| Personal Loan | ₹1,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | 1% – 2% | ₹1,000 – ₹10,000 per loan |
| Business Loan | ₹2,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 | 1.5% – 3% | ₹3,000 – ₹60,000 per loan |
| Home Loan | ₹20,00,000 – ₹60,00,000 | 0.25% – 0.5% | ₹5,000 – ₹30,000 per loan |
| Gold Loan | ₹50,000 – ₹5,00,000 | 0.5% – 1% | ₹250 – ₹5,000 per loan |
| Two-Wheeler / Vehicle Loan | ₹80,000 – ₹3,00,000 | 1% – 2% | ₹800 – ₹6,000 per loan |
As you can see, even one personal loan referral per week can add up to a significant income. For example, if you refer just 4 personal loans per month at ₹2 lakh each with a 1.5% commission, you earn around ₹12,000 extra per month.
In addition, top-performing loan agents who work consistently can earn ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 or more per month. This is entirely possible for a kirana owner with good local connections.
Tips to Earn More Commission
Simply becoming a loan agent is not enough. To truly earn well, you need to work smartly. Here are some practical tips to help you grow your income as a loan agent:
- Talk to customers naturally. When someone mentions a financial need, gently introduce the loan option. Do not make it feel like a sales pitch. Instead, make it feel like you are helping a friend.
- Work with multiple lenders. Do not stick to just one bank. Signing up with 3–5 lenders gives you more loan products to offer. As a result, you can match the right loan to the right customer.
- Use WhatsApp for referrals. Share loan application links on your WhatsApp groups and status. Many people in your area may need loans and this is a quick, free way to reach them.
- Keep a record of all leads. Use a simple notebook or a free app to track every person you refer. Follow up regularly to check the status of their application.
- Be honest with customers. Always tell customers the truth about interest rates and EMI amounts. Honest agents build long-term trust and get more referrals through word of mouth.
- Learn about the products you sell. Spend 30 minutes each week learning about the loans you offer. The more you know, the more confident you will feel when talking to customers.
- Target small business owners nearby. Other small shops and vendors in your area may need business loans. Reach out to them directly. This is a great way to get larger loan referrals and higher commissions.
Pro Tip: Festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Onam are peak times when people look for personal and gold loans. Plan your outreach around these times for higher conversions.
How WeRize Can Help You Earn More as a Loan Agent
If you are looking for the right company to start your loan agent journey, WeRize is one of the best choices in 2026. WeRize is a full-stack fintech platform built specifically for emerging middle-class families in small cities and towns across India. Therefore, as a kirana store owner, your customer base already matches exactly who WeRize wants to serve.
Why Choose WeRize as Your DSA Partner?
Here is what makes WeRize stand out from other companies:
- 100% Digital Process: The entire loan process, from application to disbursement, happens online. There is no paperwork hassle for you or your customers.
- Quick Loan Approvals: Once a customer applies, the loan amount is transferred directly to their bank account very quickly.
- Multiple Loan Products: WeRize offers personal loans, business loans, and more. Personal loans range from ₹50,000 to ₹3.5 lakhs, and business loans go up to ₹5 lakhs.
- High Commission Payouts: WeRize pays commissions four times a month, and active agents can earn up to ₹50,000 per month depending on the number of successful referrals.
- No Branch Visits Needed: You can manage everything through their tech platform directly from your shop.
- Free Training and Support: WeRize provides training to all its DSA agents, so you are never confused about the process.
Who Does WeRize Serve?
WeRize focuses on customers in 2,000+ small cities across India — exactly the kind of people who shop at kirana stores every day. Furthermore, WeRize has already served over 8 lakh households, which shows just how large and trusted their network is. As a result, when you become a WeRize DSA agent, you are joining a proven and growing platform — not starting from scratch.
How to Get Started with WeRize
Getting started is very simple. Visit the WeRize website or download the WeRize app. Then, register as a DSA partner, submit your basic KYC documents, and complete the free training. After that, you can immediately start referring customers and earning commissions — all from your kirana store counter.
Click Here to Join as Werize Partner
Conclusion
To sum up, becoming a loan agent is one of the smartest ways for kirana store owners to earn extra income in 2026. You already have the trust of your community. You already have the customer base. All you need to do is take one simple step — register as a DSA agent.
Furthermore, this is a flexible, low-risk, and high-reward opportunity. You do not need to quit your store. You do not need a degree. You just need your phone, your relationships, and a small amount of time each day.
So, if you are ready to grow your income without growing your workload, start today. Choose a bank, fill in the registration form, and earn your first commission within weeks. After all, your regular customers are your biggest asset, use it wisely.
FAQs
Q1. Do I need a licence to become a loan agent?
No special licence is needed. However, you must sign a DSA agreement with the bank or NBFC you are working with. Some lenders may also ask for a basic background verification.
Q2. How much can a kirana store owner earn as a loan agent?
It depends on how many loans you refer to. On average, you can earn ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per month as a part-time loan agent. Full-time agents earn significantly more.
Q3. Which banks offer DSA programs in India?
Many banks and NBFCs offer DSA programs, including HDFC Bank, SBI, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Lendingkart, and various fintech companies like KreditBee and MoneyTap.
Q4. Is this income taxable?
Yes. Commission income from loans is taxable. You should declare it under “Income from Business and Profession” when filing your ITR. It is also advisable to get a GST number if your annual commission exceeds ₹20 lakh.
Q5. What happens if a loan gets rejected?
If a loan application is rejected, you do not earn a commission for that case. Commission is only paid when the loan is approved and disbursed. Therefore, always verify that the customer meets the basic eligibility criteria before applying.
Q6. Can I work with more than one bank at the same time?
Yes, absolutely. Most loan agents work with multiple banks and lenders at the same time. This helps you offer more loan options to your customers and earn higher commissions overall.
