A Reader On Financial Inclusion

The official emphasis on financial inclusion keeps re-emerging in policy discourses and among bankers, who are critical of its architecture, despite the earnestness and enthusiasm in pursuing it. In the face of initial bursts of euphoria, the movement develops fatigue for commercial reasons. The agenda regularly falls by the side –first from discussion tables and then from policy engagement. Banks face many constraints; the high cost of driving financial inclusion in remote geographies is not sustainable. The main reason for the earlier failures was that the goals were more idealistic than realistic However, in the last few years, that agenda appears to have gained significant traction even as it is still going through the honeymoon period in the Jan-Dhan avatar. People have wholeheartedly embraced it and see great promise in it. But they are still not entirely convinced of it achieving its touted potential. Access to suitable finances is critical in overcoming the complex everyday realities for those living in penny economies. It can allow them to move out of poverty or build resilience to absorb a financial shock without sinking deeper into debt. Financial services increase savings, remove barriers to credit, ease the burden of debt, and help people weather unexpected tragedies.

As incredible as it may seem in this hyper-connected, technologically advanced era, half the planet's population exist as "Financial nomads"-those who nourish and shelter themselves without using traditional banking services. While the wealthy live at the top of a metaphorical pyramid, taking financial security and banking services for granted, there are billions of people who struggle at the pyramid's base in an exhausting state of financial exclusion and insecurity. Times are changing rapidly, but despite global uncertainty, technology has the capacity to reach and equip people in all walks of life. Advances in communications have reconfigured the ease with which we interact with our money-and these advances can provide innovative financial services to the unbanked and underserved around the world. Financial inclusion for all is indeed within our reach, and with this conviction, authors Karl Mehta and Carol Realini propose a vision for a better world and a blueprint to get there....

Limited access to financial services impedes economic development in impoverished communities, which has prompted policy makers, private institutions, and NGOs to develop strategies to address financial inclusion. Samuel Kirwan examines the various types of policy implementation and considers the efficacy of such economic interventions.

Open Banking and Financial Inclusion enables readers to make informed decisions about open banking. Open Banking creates opportunities to develop more innovative products, increase customer satisfaction, and has the potential to open up access to financial services to those previously excluded and underbanked. Open Banking and Financial Inclusion reviews the opportunities, realities and limitations of open banking as it pertains to social inclusion, acknowledging the importance of impact and authenticity in ESG actions. It considers whether open banking is really working for the benefit of consumers by speaking to key people across the open banking, fintech and data sharing industry and also explores how banks and fintechs are measuring their social impact. Readers will gain insights from real people about their journey from financial exclusion to inclusion, and the part played by open banking. They will also access case studies offering an in-depth picture of how open banking has developed in both emerging and developed markets and where open banking has been successful in promoting financial inclusion. Open Banking and Financial Inclusion investigates the ultimate intention of open banking and its lead up to open finance.

From vehicles to music, power generation to retail, every aspect of our daily routine has experienced drastic changes in the recent past, driven by secular forces such as digitization, a growing focus on sustainability, regulatory changes and evolving consumer behavior. Financial services are no exception. A paradigm change is at play in the financial sector, with a surge in competition from non-traditional actors, a revolution in customer experience evidenced by rising transparency and customer-centric strategies. FinTech is disrupting financial services, providing a historic opportunity for formally underserved customers, a formidable threat to existing banks and a critical challenge to regulators. Through the lens of FinTech (financial technology) — including payments, lending platforms, insurtech, superapps and market infrastructure — the author highlights the practical policy opportunities and risks of financial inclusion with a wealth of data.This book tells the story of entrepreneurs, companies, investors, researchers and regulators who are building the financial services of tomorrow and the mechanisms that will allow us as a society to fulfill the promise of inclusion. There are still challenges to overcome, particularly high levels of informality, subpar quality in financial services, and low levels of financial education. Regulators play a crucial role to foster inclusion, proposing sandboxes and stepping up their efforts against risks triggered by technology such as monopolistic behavior, consumer protection and cybercrime.Finance with a Purpose combines the theory in the fields of economics, finance and law with the practice of financial institutions, corporates, households and investors. By combining the latest academic research with ample professional experience in emerging markets, this book is essential for policymakers, scholars, and any reader who wants to understand the recent progress in financial inclusion and how it can be used to alleviate inequality and foster economic development.

Financial inclusion has proven to be a looming issue challenging policymakers and scholars. Financial inclusion revolves around the fundamental notion of ensuring that individuals from all walks of life have access to affordable and effective financial products and services that cater to their unique needs. Yet, as we grapple with this issue, we find it entwined with other critical factors such as religious and cultural norms, technological advancements, and sustainability goals. The intricate web of these elements forms a complex tapestry that requires deep exploration and understanding. Financial Inclusion, Sustainability, and the Influence of Religion and Technology is a groundbreaking book which delves headfirst into the multifaceted issue of the inclusivity of financial services and the complexities of societal interplay in this matter. Targeting academic scholars as its primary audience, this book acts as a guide to solution development. It meticulously unravels the intricate connections between financial inclusion, sustainability, religion, and technology. Readers will embark on a journey that not only dissects the problem but also illuminates the path forward. From exploring the complex relationship between financial inclusion and sustainability to identifying the challenges and opportunities presented by religion and technology, this book leaves no stone unturned. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for future research and action, providing a beacon of hope for achieving a more equitable and technologically advanced future.

This book presents an assessment of endeavors towards Financial Inclusion and its role in Sustainable development. An attractive feature is that it deals with almost all the contemporary issues essential for reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals. This book would be an exclusive and authentic source to the students of undergraduates, postgraduates and professional courses in Commerce and Management. This manuscript is divided into nine chapters. The book looks at various salient topics, including financial inclusion measurement, the impact of various financial inclusion indicators on development outcomes and macroeconomic volatility using aggregate data, and the effects of financial inclusion on poverty and development outcomes using microdata. Using the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals as an overall framing of the issues, it exhibits how poor and disadvantaged women and men can be bankable if the adequate facilitation for maximizing opportunities and addressing constraints. This book attempts to cover different dimensions of Financial Inclusion towards attaining Sustainability and Circular Economy through financing instruments and investments. This book highlights different goals of UN SDG as an Initiative towards Inclusive Growth and Circular Economy, which is also influenced by Micro Finance Institutions and NBFCs. This book will be an indispensable source for the Students of PG and UG programs, Researchers and practitioners from areas of Commerce, Economics and Management and the faculty members and professionals like bankers and financial consultants. We hope this book will meet the requirement of all the categories of readers.