scholarly journals Unlocking the Potential of Fintechs for Financial Inclusion: A Delphi-Based Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11675
Author(s):  
Luiz Antonio Joia ◽  
Joaquim Pedro Vasconcelos Cordeiro
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Bank Account ◽  
Digital Education ◽  
Internet Infrastructure ◽  
Remote Locations ◽  
Delphi Approach ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The financial sector is experiencing an accelerated process of transformation shaped by fintechs, which opens an important window of opportunity to increase financial inclusion in emerging markets, such as Brazil, with high financial exclusion. Thus, this article investigates, through a Delphi approach involving fintech professionals, the potential of fintechs to enable financial inclusion in emerging markets, using Brazil as a proxy. The analysis carried out identified three domains related to fintechs that have the potential to impact financial inclusion: (i) fintechs can serve niches of people without a bank account in the traditional financial market, (ii) fintechs can reduce costs for clients through increased competition, and (iii) fintechs can offer financial services in remote locations, far from traditional financial institutions. Thus, with the objective of developing a public agenda of financial inclusion through fintechs, the article proposes four lines of public policies: (i) expansion and modernization of mobile and internet infrastructure, (ii) improvement of the population’s financial and digital education, (iii) implementation of a trustworthy environment for the fintech clients, and (iv) development and enforcement of an effective legal and regulatory framework for fintechs. These policies, if implemented, can benefit people excluded from the financial system around the world.

Financial Inclusion in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Rohit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The concept of Financial Inclusion is not a new one. It has become a catchphrase now and has attracted the global attention in the recent past. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been a global problem. It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people around the world do not have access to formal sources of banking and financial services. India is said to live in its villages, a convincing statement, considering that nearly 72% of our population lives there. However, a significant proportion of our 650,000 odd villages does not have a single bank branch to boast of, leaving swathes of the rural population in financial exclusion. RBI has reported that the financial exclusion in India leads to the loss of GDP to the extent of one per cent (RBI, Working Paper Series (DEPR): 8/2011). Financially excluded people, consistently, depend on money lenders even for their day to day needs, borrowing at excessive rates to finally get caught in a debt trap. In addition, people in far-off villages are completely unaware of financial products like insurance, which could protect them in adverse situation. Therefore, financial inclusion is a big necessity for our country as a large chunk of the world's poor resides here. Access to finance by the poor and vulnerable groups is a prerequisite for poverty reduction and social cohesion. Present paper is an attempt to highlight the present efforts of financial inclusion in India its future road map, its challenges etc.

Financial Inclusion in India

2020 ◽  
pp. 559-568
Author(s):  
Rohit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The concept of Financial Inclusion is not a new one. It has become a catchphrase now and has attracted the global attention in the recent past. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been a global problem. It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people around the world do not have access to formal sources of banking and financial services. India is said to live in its villages, a convincing statement, considering that nearly 72% of our population lives there. However, a significant proportion of our 650,000 odd villages does not have a single bank branch to boast of, leaving swathes of the rural population in financial exclusion. RBI has reported that the financial exclusion in India leads to the loss of GDP to the extent of one per cent (RBI, Working Paper Series (DEPR): 8/2011). Financially excluded people, consistently, depend on money lenders even for their day to day needs, borrowing at excessive rates to finally get caught in a debt trap. In addition, people in far-off villages are completely unaware of financial products like insurance, which could protect them in adverse situation. Therefore, financial inclusion is a big necessity for our country as a large chunk of the world's poor resides here. Access to finance by the poor and vulnerable groups is a prerequisite for poverty reduction and social cohesion. Present paper is an attempt to highlight the present efforts of financial inclusion in India its future road map, its challenges etc.

Mobile Financial Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 96-119
Author(s):  
Alexander Maina Kimari ◽  
Eric Blanco Niyitunga
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Financial Service ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Mobile Financial Services

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.

Understanding FinTech and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) for Financial Inclusion

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Andrei Dragos Popescu
Keyword(s):  
Social Problem ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Underserved Population ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Cycle Of Poverty ◽  
Financial Technology

For a very long period of time, financial inclusion researchers have been addressing the barriers that prevent unprivileged people from accessing and using financial services. Financial exclusion is an underlying social problem that dates from the creation of the first financial system. Without the access to the banking and financial infrastructures, the unbanked are perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty. Blockchain is leading this transformation of allowing unbanked and underbanked people to have access and interact with the finance industry. The promise of a digital economy is starting to take shape, as financial technology (FinTech) companies are evolving the concept of democratization of access. Decentralized finance (DeFi) is expanding the possibilities of financial technology by creating an ecosystem based on transparency, accessibility, and efficiency. We are witnessing a paradigm shift for most of the financial services which are remodeling the accessibility and usability of these services, addressing the excluded and underserved population.

scholarly journals Halal Money: Financial inclusion and demand for Islamic banking in Norway

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 205316801875762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torkel Brekke
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
The West ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World ◽  
Muslims In The West

Financial inclusion is high on the agenda for governments as well as for organizations such as the World Bank. Research has pointed out that Muslims worldwide are less included in the formal financial system than non-Muslims, but there is no knowledge about the extent to which religious norms (most importantly the ban on interest on money) lead to financial exclusion among Muslims in the West. In this article I approach the issue of financial exclusion and inclusion through three interrelated questions that will be answered with data collected in Norway 2015 and 2016. The questions are: (a) To what extent do Muslims see conventional banking as a problem in their own lives? (b) Do level of education, age, national background or level of religiosity predict demand for Islamic banking? (c) Is demand for Islamic banking changing? This article is a first step in what should be a broader research program to find out whether and how religious norms cause financial exclusion of Muslims in the West.

scholarly journals Innovations in emerging markets: the case of mobile money

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeline Pelletier ◽  
Susanna Khavul ◽  
Saul Estrin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Policy And Strategy

Abstract Mobile money is a financial innovation that provides transfers, payments, and other financial services at a low or zero cost to individuals in developing countries where banking and capital markets are deficient and financial inclusion is low. We use transaction costs and institutional theories to explain the growth and impact of mobile money. Having developed a new archival dataset that tracks mobile money deployment across 90 emerging economies during 16 years between 2000 and 2015, we address the question of relative economic impact of the banking and telecoms sectors in the provision of mobile money. We show that telecom groups and not banks are more likely to launch mobile money in countries where legal rights are weaker and credit information less prevalent. However, it is when mobile money is offered via a banking channel that the spillover effects on the economy are greater. Findings have significant implications for policy and strategy.

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion through Islamic Banking

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Mumna Nazar
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The People ◽  
Financial Exclusion

<div><p><em>Financial inclusion is a buzz word today. It plays an important role in driving away the poverty from the country. Financial inclusion is the process of ensuring financial services to the weaker sections of the society at an affordable cost. As per the Sachar Committee Report, Muslims in India are financially excluded. Even though they have an account, the extent of usage is very low due to the religious reasons.  The Non-Muslims also do not actively engage in the formal financial system due to the interest involvement. Islamic Bank can serve as a remedy for the financial exclusion of the Muslims as well as Non-Muslims community. The objective of this paper is to understand the extent of financial inclusion among the people in Kerala and their awareness and preference towards Islamic banking. Both primary and secondary data are collected for the study. Secondary data are collected from various secondary sources like published articles, journals, reports, books and websites. Primary data are collected with the help of questionnaire among people in Kerala. The study revealed that most of the respondents have accessed bank accounts but the extent of usage is only for namesake. Moreover the awareness and preference towards Islamic Banking is very high among the Muslims as well as Non-Muslims and suggested that proper care must be taken for introducing Islamic banking system in India. It will ultimately leads to the inclusive growth of our country.</em></p></div>

scholarly journals Wykluczenie finansowe i integracja finansowa – aspekty terminologiczne

2018 ◽  
pp. 63-83
Author(s):  
Maria Czarnecka
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Use Of Services ◽  
Social Level

The aim of the article was to present the issue of financial exclusion and define sensitive areas of this phenomenon. The factors that may be relevant for measuring the degree of financial exclusion were analysed. An attempt was also made to determine the difficulties in access to financial services in the context of practices applied by both the supply and demand sides. In addition, barriers to the use of services were analysed as were financial products in terms of practices used by supply and demand. The typology of financial exclusion presented in the article is an attempt to define the type and scope of the phenomenon. Bank exclusion, credit exclusion and exclusion from the savings system are financial exclusion indicators. Each of those types of exclusion affects the economic and social level. Financial exclusion, which is one of the symptoms of the imbalance between demand and supply, is understood here as total or partial access to financial services offered by the market. The article also attempts to analyse the causes of exclusion with the division into supply and demand factors. The typology of financial exclusion proposed in the article may be a contributing factor to the reverse phenomenon, which is financial inclusion.

Promoting Indigenous Financial Inclusion

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Michael D'Rosario
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Geographic Dispersion ◽  
Financial Exclusion

This article describes how the majority of Australia's indigenous communities live within isolated regions and are typically characterized by levels of disadvantage not evidenced within mainstream Australian society. While there are a number of reasons for the evidenced disadvantages, access to financial services and social services are acknowledged as key contributors. The article outlines the role of banking sector competition and changing banking structures on the exclusion of indigenous people from banking services. It is claimed herein that access, marketing, price, and self-exclusion all serve to promote financial exclusion. It is posited that forms of access exclusion such as bank branch access and geographic dispersion have served as the key structural impediments to indigenous financial inclusion. Specifically, this article considers the potential role of adaptive cellular technologies and community telecentres in addressing financial exclusion within indigenous communities. Detailing successful ‘social banking' models adopted in several developing countries, it is asserted that m-banking could serve as a powerful tool for inclusion.

Promoting Indigenous Financial Inclusion

2020 ◽  
pp. 348-360
Author(s):  
Michael D'Rosario
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Australian Society ◽  
Geographic Dispersion ◽  
Financial Exclusion

This article describes how the majority of Australia's indigenous communities live within isolated regions and are typically characterized by levels of disadvantage not evidenced within mainstream Australian society. While there are a number of reasons for the evidenced disadvantages, access to financial services and social services are acknowledged as key contributors. The article outlines the role of banking sector competition and changing banking structures on the exclusion of indigenous people from banking services. It is claimed herein that access, marketing, price, and self-exclusion all serve to promote financial exclusion. It is posited that forms of access exclusion such as bank branch access and geographic dispersion have served as the key structural impediments to indigenous financial inclusion. Specifically, this article considers the potential role of adaptive cellular technologies and community telecentres in addressing financial exclusion within indigenous communities. Detailing successful ‘social banking' models adopted in several developing countries, it is asserted that m-banking could serve as a powerful tool for inclusion.

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