India’s leading financial institution Home Credit India is a part of an international consumer finance company. Since its entry into the Indian market in 2012, it has racked up over 10 million happy customers. Both online and offline customers can use Home Credit India’s services. In an attempt to increase access to credit and extend financial services for underrepresented communities, loans are also made accessible to individuals with bad credit or no credit at all.
When you have had your application for a loan approved, the next step is to keep track of the payments made toward the loan. However, this might become challenging, particularly if you are already making payments on more than one loan.
Similarly, banks have difficulty keeping tabs on each loan they have disbursed. The LAN, also known as the loan account number, helps both parties simplify the situation.
What is meant by LAN (Loan Account Number)?
When your loan is accepted, and the loan account is formed, your bank will provide you with a loan account number.
This number is a unique sequence of digits assigned to your loan account.
If you have taken out more than one loan from the same financial institution, each loan will have its unique loan account number. The loan account number, which is one of a kind for each loan account, is how financial institutions maintain tabs on all of the loans they have approved.
Loan number formats across lenders
While Home Credit issues a 10-digit numeric Loan Account Number (LAN), the format is not uniform across all lenders in India. Each bank or NBFC designs its own system based on internal accounting and regulatory reporting needs.
- Banks: Many public and private sector banks issue LANs that are 12–16 digits long, often reflecting branch codes, product type, or year of disbursal. For instance, a home loan from a large private bank may have a 14-digit number, where the first few digits indicate the product category and the remaining digits are sequential identifiers.
- NBFCs: Some non-banking finance companies use alphanumeric formats, combining letters for the loan type (e.g., “PL” for personal loan, “TW” for two-wheeler) with digits for unique tracking.
- Housing Finance Companies (HFCs): In long-tenure products like home loans, LANs are sometimes linked with customer IDs and can include prefixes for state or region.
- Digital lenders and fintech tie-ups: New-age fintech platforms working with NBFCs may generate shorter identifiers for app display while maintaining a longer LAN in their backend systems.
Despite the variation, the common thread is that every LAN uniquely identifies a specific loan contract. Borrowers switching between banks and NBFCs should not be alarmed if the number format changes, as what matters legally is the linkage to their sanctioned loan and repayment records.
LAN in joint loans and multiple borrower cases
In the case of joint loans, such as a two-wheeler loan or consumer durable loan taken with a co-applicant, a single loan account number (LAN) is issued for the loan. Both borrowers are linked to this LAN, and repayment responsibility is shared between them. This means that even if one borrower makes the EMI payment, it is recorded against the same LAN for the loan account. For families or co-borrowers, it is important to remember that the LAN represents the loan itself, not the individual borrower, and both parties remain equally accountable until the loan is fully repaid.
Difference between LAN, Loan ID, and Customer ID
While the loan account number (LAN) is the unique identifier for each loan you take, lenders may also issue other identifiers such as a Loan ID or a Customer ID. The Loan ID is often a shorter internal reference number used for quick tracking within the bank’s systems, while the Customer ID links all your accounts and services (savings, loans, credit cards) under one profile. For repayments, EMI tracking, or customer service requests, the LAN is the most important number, since it directly corresponds to a specific loan. Understanding the distinction helps avoid errors when making payments or contacting the lender.
Why is it necessary for you to know the account number for your loan?
It is essential to be familiar with and able to recall your loan account number to successfully manage your loan, check your loan status, and make EMI payments. You are required to provide your loan account number to complete the repayment of your loan through any of the following methods: net banking, debit card, online wallets, or visiting the branch of the bank.
- When you need any other kind of assistance or service concerning your loan, having your loan account number handy is very helpful. The bank will not assist you with your questions unless you first provide them with the loan account number.
- You will need to have your loan account number on hand to proceed with making any necessary changes to your personal information that is associated with your loan account. For instance, if you want to update your contact information but your phone number has changed, you will need to present your loan account number.
What happens if you enter the wrong LAN during repayment
Entering an incorrect loan account number while making a repayment through UPI, NEFT, net banking, or any third-party wallet can cause serious issues. In some cases, the money may get credited to another borrower’s account, or the transaction may fail and remain stuck for weeks before reversal. Refunds are not always automatic, and you may need to raise a dispute with both the lender and your payment service provider. To avoid such hassles, always double-check the digits of your LAN before confirming the payment, just as you would with a bank account number.
Security and fraud risks of sharing your LAN
While your loan account number is essential for repayments and service requests, it should be treated as sensitive information. Fraudsters may attempt to obtain your LAN to impersonate you, create phishing links, or mislead you into making payments to the wrong account. Always share your loan account number only on official Home Credit platforms, verified apps, or in-branch interactions. Avoid disclosing it over email, social media, or unsolicited calls. Keeping your LAN confidential is as important as protecting your bank account number.
How can you access your loan account number?
Checking the account number associated with your loan can be done in many different ways. Some of them are as follows:
- Check the statement attached to your loan.
Your loan account number will be included on the loan statement that is generated by your bank once your loan has been approved. This statement will include all of the relevant information about your loan. On the statement, you will also find information on the amount of the remaining balance as well as the EMIs that have been paid.
- Sign in to the mobile banking app or website of your bank.
You can also verify your loan account number by connecting to your registered banking account via the customer login part of the bank’s website or using the mobile banking app the bank offers.
- Dial the toll-free number provided by the bank’s customer service department.
If you contact the toll-free customer helpline number provided by the bank, you will be able to get information and assistance about your loan.
- Go to any location of your bank’s branch.
You may bring your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card as well as the bank information to the branch from where you obtained the loan. Give the information to the officer working at the bank. Following the completion of the verification process, the officer will provide you with your loan account number.
Checking your LAN through credit bureau reports
In addition to bank statements and lender apps, you can also find your loan account number (LAN) through credit bureau reports such as CIBIL, Experian, CRIF High Mark, or Equifax. These reports compile information from multiple lenders and provide a complete snapshot of your active and closed credit accounts. Each loan entry is listed with the lender’s name, type of loan, sanctioned amount, current outstanding balance, repayment history, and the loan account number (LAN).
Since credit bureaus map loans against your PAN card and other KYC details, this method is particularly useful if you have misplaced loan documents, switched banks, or are unable to log in to the Home Credit app. By checking your report, you can confirm not only your LAN but also whether all your loans are being accurately reported.
Borrowers are entitled to one free credit report per year from each bureau, and additional reports can be purchased at a nominal cost. Accessing your report periodically is a good practice—it allows you to:
- Verify your LAN without contacting customer care.
- Detect any unreported or duplicate loans linked to your name.
- Ensure timely correction if there are discrepancies in loan reporting.
This makes credit bureau reports not just an alternative for finding your LAN, but also a powerful tool for monitoring your overall credit health.
Where can I get my Home Credit loan account number?
Your loan account number, which consists of 10 digits, can be found in the contract documents. You can further see the information by using the My Home Credit app, which is downloadable from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
What happens to your LAN after loan closure?
Once your loan is fully repaid, the loan account number (LAN) linked to it is closed or deactivated by the lender. After closure, the LAN will no longer reflect any active balance or repayment schedule, but it will remain part of your records for reference. Borrowers should always request and keep a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or loan closure letter from the lender, which confirms that all dues are cleared and the LAN has been officially closed.
This documentation is important for:
- Preventing disputes in case of system errors where EMIs are shown as pending.
- Ensuring that your CIBIL or credit bureau report is updated to show the loan as “closed.”
- Providing proof of repayment if you apply for a fresh loan in the future.
Even though the LAN becomes inactive, retaining closure documents helps safeguard against future claims or reporting mistakes.
RBI guidelines on transparency of loan account numbers
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires all banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), including Home Credit, to follow a Fair Practices Code that ensures transparency in lending. Under these guidelines, lenders must:
- Provide a Loan Account Number (LAN): Every borrower must be allotted a unique loan account number once the loan is sanctioned. This identifier should be mentioned in sanction letters, repayment schedules, and subsequent communications.
- Share periodic loan statements: Lenders must supply clear statements that reflect the outstanding principal, interest charged, EMI due dates, and any penalties. This is to ensure borrowers always know the status of their loan.
- Disclose charges upfront: RBI mandates that all fees, processing costs, and penalties tied to the LAN must be communicated in writing at the time of disbursal.
- Facilitate grievance redressal: If a borrower is not provided with their LAN or statements, they can escalate the matter first to the lender’s grievance redressal officer. If unresolved, the issue can be taken to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme.
By making LAN disclosure a regulatory obligation, RBI ensures that borrowers cannot be kept in the dark about their repayment records. This protects individuals from billing disputes, unauthorised deductions, or fraudulent claims, and gives them documented proof of their liabilities at all times.
Housing.com POV
In today’s credit-driven economy, a loan account number is more than a technical identifier—it is the anchor of your financial contract. Treating it with the same seriousness as a bank account number safeguards both your repayment track and credit history. From compliance with RBI norms to preventing fraud, knowing and protecting your LAN is not optional but essential. An informed borrower, after all, is far better positioned to manage credit responsibly.
FAQs
When it comes to loans, what options does Home Credit India offer?
Home Loans, Personal Loans, Home Appliance Loans, Two-Wheeler Loans, and other types of loans are just a few of the many types that can be obtained via Home Credit India.
Where can I find the contact information for Home Credit's customer service department if I have any questions?
You can reach Home Credit's helpful customer service staff by dialling 18601216660. Care@homecredit.co.in is an additional email contact option.
Can I alter the due date of my EMI payment?
Since it is created by a system, the EMI due date cannot be amended while the loan is outstanding.
Can I cancel my home credit loan?
If you change your mind about the home credit loan within 15 days of signing the contract, you won't be charged any fees.
How do I pay the EMI on my home loan, and what options do I have?
The EMI payment on a home loan may be made in many different ways. Debit cards, credit cards, UPI, and other payment options are all available to you.