Tapping the Untapped (Financial Inclusion)

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Kumar Srivastava

As far as our economic growth is concerned, we are growing rapidly .This statement is easily supported by GDP growth. Is this the growth of our whole economy? Ours is an agrarian economy and if people living in those rural areas are not being taken into account properly, then, it will be wrong to say that we are growing rapidly. A major portion of India lives in villages and that area is being excluded by the financial service providers. This article talks about the potential areas i.e. states regarding financial inclusion. This article tries to look into the problems faced by the bankers while opening up a branch in rural areas and problems the faced by customers. Ultimately, financial service providers have to foray into that field. This article gives an insight regarding financial inclusion. An attempt is being made by RBI , they have given some policies in which it is written clearly that Financial inclusion should be there. But it will be worth while to see the supply barriers in this field. The paper talks about those aspects too. This article discusses the issues raised in Andhra Pradesh recently, which should already be avoided by financial service providers. After all, the efforts of financial service providers should be more target oriented and packed with some strategy regarding financial inclusion and this paper just focuses upon some strategies. A survey of a rural area in Bareilly district was made to know the concerns of rural people regarding financial services. This paper is an attempt to peep into the different facets of financial inclusion but it will become effective only then, when policymakers show their required concern over it.

Author(s):  
Alexander Maina Kimari ◽  
Eric Blanco Niyitunga

The chapter explores financial exclusion, its causes, and consequences in society. The chapter found that the existing discrepancy in financial inclusion between the developed and developing world is driven by financial exclusion that makes it difficult for financial service providers to expand outreach to the poor at affordable prices. The chapter aims to investigate the role of mobile financial service design and development in dealing with financial exclusion. It was found that mobile financial services are promoting financial inclusion in various markets. However, few studies have been undertaken on the benefits of mobile financial services in dealing with the high rates of financial exclusion. The chapter recommended that to achieve financial inclusion, there is need for mobile financial services providers to take into account customer experience through the ease of using the phone interface. The chapter concluded that there is need for scholars in the fields of finance and economics to conduct research in the areas of mobile financial services and their role in society.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Mindra ◽  
Musa Moya ◽  
Linda Tia Zuze ◽  
Odongo Kodongo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between financial self-efficacy (FSE) and financial inclusion (FI) among individual financial consumers in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative approach and cross-sectional research design, a sample of 400 individuals from urban Central and rural Northern Uganda was drawn. SPSS and AMOS™ 21, regression analysis and structural equation models were used to establish the hypothesized relationship between FSE and FI. Findings The results suggest a strong positive and significant relationship between FSE and FI. The results further suggest that other variables which were controlled for, such as age and gender, had significant influence on an individual’s usage of formal financial services. Research limitations/implications The study was assessed using both potential and actual consumers of financial services collectively. However, if separately assessed, possibly there would be a variation in behavioral responses toward FI. Practical implications Formal financial service providers need to enhance individuals’ levels of confidence in management of finances and utilization of formal financial products and services, so that the financial consumers can realize the changes in financial behavior and consequently FI. Social implications The enhancement of individuals’ level of confidence in evaluating the available financial service options will guide them to take financial decisions that will improve their livelihood. Originality/value The results contribute toward the limited empirical and theoretical evidence for FSE and FI from a behavioral demand-side perspective.


Author(s):  
Deepjyoti Choudhury

Accumulation of human capital has always paved the way for economic development provided the accumulation and savings are organised and structured by a formal credit institution. But regions where majority of the populations reside in rural areas, with low infrastructure and literacy rate, the benefits of a formalised credit institutions have always not been tasted. Timely availability of credit and timely saving of the capital is of great necessity for the wellbeing of weak and deprived section of the population and thereby creating greater economic development. For instance the Credit-Deposit ratio of Northeast India to Rest of India is 35:73, which is a clear indicator of unutilised bank's resources in Northeast India. Financial Inclusion has been thought as an answer to bank the unbanked and bring the weaker sections of society specially the rural people under the umbrella of authorised financial services provided by regulated financial institutions. The technological revolution and the vast use of ICT in banking sector has paved a way for the financial institution and are adopting branchless banking as their strategy. Branchless banking is expected to make their efforts successful towards financial inclusion. In this paper attempt has been made to understand the concept of Branchless banking and how it can be implemented in Northeast India.


Author(s):  
Alexander Maina Kimari ◽  
Eric Blanco Niyitunga

The chapter explores financial exclusion, its causes, and consequences in society. The chapter found that the existing discrepancy in financial inclusion between the developed and developing world is driven by financial exclusion that makes it difficult for financial service providers to expand outreach to the poor at affordable prices. The chapter aims to investigate the role of mobile financial service design and development in dealing with financial exclusion. It was found that mobile financial services are promoting financial inclusion in various markets. However, few studies have been undertaken on the benefits of mobile financial services in dealing with the high rates of financial exclusion. The chapter recommended that to achieve financial inclusion, there is need for mobile financial services providers to take into account customer experience through the ease of using the phone interface. The chapter concluded that there is need for scholars in the fields of finance and economics to conduct research in the areas of mobile financial services and their role in society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Ktut Silvanita Mangani ◽  
Adolf Bastian Heatubun ◽  
Martua Eliakim Tambunan

Branchless Banking is one of the programs of Indonesia's financial inclusion strategy. The programs' name is "Financial Service Without Office in the Framework of Inclusive Financial" which called “Laku Pandai.” This study aims to portrait the implementation of the Branchless Banking program concerning the obstacles that occurred to achieve program objectives. The research conducted using qualitative methods. The existence of Branchless Banking agents close to the community has fulfilled the program objective, to make an easy way for society to do financial transactions without having to go to the bank office. Therefore, the implementation of the Branchless Banking program met the criteria for eliminating non-price barriers in financial services in remote areas. However, delegation authority to the agent as an extension of the bank to provide limited financial services has encouraged agents to engage in moral hazard behaviors by charging the tariff that greater than the official rate set by the managing bank. It showed that the agent has taken the consumer surplus provided by the Branchless Banking technology. Although accepted by society since considerably cheaper than the fee to go to the nearest bank office, that condition becomes a price barrier for the future development of Branchless Banking.


Author(s):  
Mahesh K. M. ◽  
P. S. Aithal ◽  
Sharma K. R. S.

Purpose: The foremost intent of this research article is to create awareness about various schemes for the productive sector of agriculture. Through this study, the level of performance of these agricultural schemes and programmes were analysed that will be helpful for the attainment of financial inclusion. Hence it is necessary to know about various schemes and their making to connect the beneficiaries. Agriculture is the basic source of food supply, production, processing, promotion and distribution. Agricultural products contribute to Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) and generate employment in rural areas. They transform the lives of the farmers in modern society. The government of India has introduced Minimum Support Price (MPS), MIF, PMKSY, PMFBY, e-NAM, PM-KISAN, PMJDY, PM-KUSUM, PKVY, NAMS, and MGNREGS. The mobile app KisanSuvidha and innovative programmes like Kisan Rail, KrishiUdaan double the farmers’ Income (DFI). These help in transforming village economy, coverage of irrigation, crop insurance, and stabilizing the income. They also ensure financial support, flow of credit and Direct Benefit transfer of subsidies and funds to beneficiaries. Adopting modern technology, farm-based activity, poultry, dairy, forestry, beekeeping and with the support of SHGs which will directly impact productivity, profitability, financial inclusion, and the welfare of farmers in the 21st century and development of the country’s economy. Design/ methodology/approaches: This study is all about the theoretical concepts based on analysis of various schemes and interconnect. Findings and results: This study reveals that the effectiveness of various agricultural programs and also identifies the benefits and beneficiaries of these schemes. Under this research, various financial services, subsidies, funds released, online platform for agricultural products, funds for micro-irrigation, and so on benefits provided by the government of India were studied. Originality/value: Analysed the various schemes and compelled its beneficiaries and develop a modern to achieve financial inclusion and economic growth through the study. Type of Paper: Research Analysis.


Author(s):  
Arun.K.V

Technology and financial inclusion are the popular coinage in banking parleys in the country. While technological upgradation and mobile banking are catching up so fast, financial inclusion is tardy. Financial inclusion is a major agenda for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Without financial inclusion, banks cannot reach the un-banked. It is also a major step towards increasing savings and achieving balanced growth. The reach the country is having with technological progress mobile banking has the potential to emerge as a game changer in terms of costs, convenience, and speed of reach. Business models of banks, telecom operators and other stakeholders need to converge. However, the banking industry’s penetration to un-banked areas is still found sluggish. The role of the Indian banker is challenging. At one end of this spectrum lies the demand to achieve financial inclusion as nearly 50 per cent of the population is yet to be covered under the formal system of banking and at the other end lies the task to fulfil the needs of the existing customers. The first priority for banks is to adopt core banking solution (CBS), including all regional rural banks (RRBs). Next, a multi-channel approach using handheld devices, mobiles, cards, micro-ATMs, branches and kiosks can be used. However, it should be ensured that the transactions put through such front-end devices should be seamlessly integrated with the banks’ CBS. In rural areas, where accessibility is a problem, banks are using the microfinance network and business correspondents and facilitators to bring more people under the ambit of banking services. Capitalising on the huge untapped potential in smaller towns and cities and rendering financial services to this segment of people poses a big challenge. Few banks have explored technology solutions to increase the scale of their microfinance portfolios, with the use of smart cards and core banking solutions. KEYWORDS- Technology, Financial Inclusion, Core Banking, Business Correspondents


Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Elfas Torerai

The advent of mobile money innovations has given people in rural areas, informal settlements and other poor communities an opportunity to participate in Zimbabwe's mainstream financial economy. However, the technology-driven money services have presented some challenges to the traditional banking sector in general and the regulation of financial services in particular. Firstly, most mobile money services are products of telecommunication corporations, which are not banks. Telecommunication companies use their network reach to provide mobile money services via mobile devices at a cheaper cost than banks across the country in Zimbabwe. As such, banks face unprecedented competition from telecommunications companies that are venturing into financial services. It also appears that prudential regulation of banks cannot keep up with the fast pace at which technological innovations are developing and this has created a disjuncture between the regulation and the use of technological innovations to promote financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. The Banking Act [Chapter 24:20] 9 of 1999, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] 5 of 1999 and the National Payment Systems Act [Chapter 24:23] 21 of 2001 have a limited scope in terms of the regulation of mobile money services in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2016-2020 to provide impetus to the financial inclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. However, the NFIS appears to push more for bank-led financial inclusion than it does for innovation-driven initiatives such as mobile money services. This article highlights the positive influence of mobile money services in improving financial inclusion for the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. The article also seeks to point out gaps and flaws in the financial services regulatory framework that may limit the potential of mobile money services to reach more people so that they actively participate in the Zimbabwean economy. It is submitted that the Zimbabwean mobile money services regulations and the financial regulatory framework should be carefully amended in line with the recent innovations in mobile money to adequately regulate the use of mobile money services and innovative technology to address the financial exclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (523) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
O. V. Zhulyn ◽  

The article is aimed at studying the theoretical, organizational and methodical aspects of financial inclusion; conducting an analytical research on the development of financial inclusion and its impact on the welfare of the population; formation of recommendations for improving the financial services market in the conditions of ensuring the financial inclusion in Ukraine. The theoretical foundations of financial inclusion and its components are considered, the author suggests to enclose therein the speed and security of obtaining a financial service, which is provided with the help of digital technologies, which is relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The carried out analytical studies of financial inclusion in the world and in Ukraine have shown that its level is constantly growing and there are sufficient prerequisites for its development, including in the financial market the maximum number of the population who will be able to benefit from the use of financial services. As a result of the analysis, a framework for financial inclusion has been developed that allows identifying entities that are often unwittingly excluded from the financial services market – due to low levels of financial literacy, low incomes or discrimination on the part of financial institutions. An important aspect of the implementation of the concept of financial inclusion is the motivation to use financial services, using behavioral finance methods for this – not only by those who are forced to exclude, but also those who voluntarily refused to use them. The publication proposes recommendations and instruments for improving the financial services market, which will increase the level of financial inclusion, which in turn will contribute to economic growth, mobilization of savings, their preservation and increase, introduction of innovations and development of entrepreneurship.


Author(s):  
N. P. Abdul Azeez ◽  
S. M. Jawed Akhtar

What drives rural people to use financial services and products is a critical step in the journey towards financial inclusions. The financial service providers and policymakers have engaged with this challenge by seeking insights into the socio, economic, demographic and cultural factors that prompt people to be aware and learn about financial services and products, try them out, and use them over time. The determinants of financial literacy focus more sharply on the socio-economic demographic factors, and have used ordinary least square, multiple regression model. This model determines how various independent variables namely age, gender, income, religion, social groups, family size, marital status, educational level, occupation, etc. significantly influence financial literacy of the respondents.


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