Main Article Content
Abstract
Purpose ― The main objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive digital financial inclusion index (CDFII) that accounts for technology-driven financial inclusion and to compare it with a traditional financial inclusion index (TFII) to enhance the measurement of fintech-driven financial inclusion across countries.
Methods ― The study employs a three-stage principal component analysis (PCA) to construct the CDFII and TFII using the latest available data from 31 developing countries during the period 2015-2021. The CDFII incorporates a new sub-index measuring individual literacy levels for using financial services, along with existing sub-indices capturing the penetration, availability, and usage of DFS. By integrating digital financial inclusion (DFII) and TFII, the overall CDFII is estimated.
Findings ― The findings reveal that the levels of DFII and CDFII are higher than TFII for most of the economies examined. This indicates the significant impact of technology-driven financial inclusion in expanding access to formal banking and non-banking financial services for previously unbanked populations.
Implication ― The study implies that policymakers and researchers should prioritize the integration of technology-driven financial inclusion indicators, such as the comprehensive digital financial inclusion index (CDFII), into their assessments and interventions to ensure a more accurate and effective approach to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Originality ― This study introduces the CDFII as a novel comprehensive index that addresses the shortcomings of traditional financial inclusion indices. By incorporating individual skill levels and considering dimensions specific to DFS, the CDFII provides a more accurate representation of fintech-driven financial inclusion levels. This contributes to the existing literature on financial inclusion measurement and provides a valuable analytical tool for researchers and policymakers.
Keywords
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Copyright (c) 2023 Banna Banik, Chandan Kumar Roy
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References
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- Blancher, N., Appendino, M., Bibolov, A., Fouejieu, A., Li, J., Ndoye, A., Panagiotakopoulou, A., Shi, W., & Sydorenko, T. (2019). Financial inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle East and Central Asia (19/02; IMF Departmental Papers, Vol. 19). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484383124.087
- Cámara, N., Research, B., & Tuesta, D. (2017). Measuring financial inclusion: A multidimensional index (14/26; BBVA Bank Working Paper, Issue September).
- Cámara, N., & Tuesta, D. A. (2014). Measuring financial inclusion: A muldimensional index (14/26; BBVA Research Paper). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2634616
- Dabla-Norris, E., Deng, Y., Ivanova, A., Karpowicz, I., Unsal, D. F., VanLeemput, E., & Wong, J. (2015). Financial Inclusion: Zooming in on Latin America (WP/15/206; IMF Working Papers). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513568928.001
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- de Koker, L., & Jentzsch, N. (2013). Financial inclusion and financial integrity: Aligned incentives? World Development, 44, 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.11.002
- Demirguc-Kunt, A., & Klapper, L. (2012). Measuring financial inclusion: The global index database. In Policy Research Working Papers. The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-6025
- Gupte, R., Venkataramani, B., & Gupta, D. (2012). Computation of financial inclusion index for India. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 37, 133–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.281
- Honohan, P. (2008). Cross-country variation in household access to financial services. Journal of Banking & Finance, 32(11), 2493–2500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2008.05.004
- Kaiser, H. F. (1960). The application of electronic computers to factor analysis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 20(1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316446002000116
- Lenka, S. K., & Barik, R. (2018). Has expansion of mobile phone and internet use spurred financial inclusion in the SAARC countries? Financial Innovation, 4(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-018-0089-x
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- Lukonga, I. (2018). Fintech, inclusive growth and cyber risks: Focus on the MENAP and CCA regions (18/201; IMF Working Paper).
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- Mialou, A., Amidzic, G., & Massara, A. (2017). Assessing countries’ financial inclusion standing–A new composite index. Journal of Banking and Financial Economics, 2(8), 105–126.
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- Park, C.-Y., & Mercado, R. V. Jr. (2015). Financial inclusion, poverty, and income inequality in developing Asia (426; ADB Economics Working Paper Series).
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- Sahay, R., Čihák, M., Barajas, A., Bi, R., Ayala, D., Gao, Y., Kyobe, A., Nguyen, L., Saborowski, C., Svirydzenka, K., Reza Yousefi, S., Ratna Sahay, B., Bredenkamp, H., Ross Levine, P., Arregui, N., Blancher, N., Brandao-Marques, L., Dell, G., Eugster, J., … Sommer, M. (2015). Rethinking financial deepening: Stability and growth in emerging markets (15/08; IMF Staff Discussion Note).
- Sarma, M. (2012). Index of financial inclusion–a measure of financial sector inclusiveness (07/2012; Berlin Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade and Development).
- Sarma, M., & Pais, J. (2008). Financial inclusion and development: A cross country analysis. Annual Conference of the Human Development and Capability Association, 10–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid
- Shaikh, A. A., Glavee-Geo, R., Karjaluoto, H., & Hinson, R. E. (2023). Mobile money as a driver of digital financial inclusion. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 186, 122158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122158
- Sy, A. N., Maino, R., Massara, A., Perez-Saiz, H., & Sharma, P. (2019). Fintech in Sub-Saharan African countries: A game changer? (19/04; IMF Departmental Paper).
- Tarazi, M., & Breloff, P. (2010). Nonbank e-money issuers: Regulatory approaches to protecting customer funds. http://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/CGAP-Focus-Note-Nonbank-E-Money-Issuers-Regulatory-Approaches-to-Protecting-Customer-Funds-Jul-2010.pdf
- Tay, L.-Y., Tai, H.-T., & Tan, G.-S. (2022). Digital financial inclusion: A gateway to sustainable development. Heliyon, 8(6), e09766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09766
- Urhie, E., Amonu, O. C., Mbah, C., Ewetan, O. O., Matthew, O. A., Adediran, O., Adesanya, O., & Adekeye, A. (2021). Banking technology and cashless economy in selected Sub-Saharan African countries: Does education matter? Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(3), 584–595. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-10-2020-0122
- World Bank. (2013). Global financial development report: Rethinking the role of the state in finance. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11848
References
Ahamed, M. M., & Mallick, S. K. (2019). Is financial inclusion good for bank stability? International evidence. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 157, 403–427. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2017.07.027
Amidžić, G., Massara, A., & Mialou, A. (2014). Assessing countries’ financial inclusion standing: A new composite index. IMF Working Papers, 14(36), 1. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781475569681.001
World Bank. (2018). Financial inclusion. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion/overview#1
Beck, T., Demirguc-Kunt, A., & Martinez Peria, M. S. (2007). Reaching out: Access to and use of banking services across countries. Journal of Financial Economics, 85(1), 234–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2006.07.002
Blancher, N., Appendino, M., Bibolov, A., Fouejieu, A., Li, J., Ndoye, A., Panagiotakopoulou, A., Shi, W., & Sydorenko, T. (2019). Financial inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle East and Central Asia (19/02; IMF Departmental Papers, Vol. 19). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484383124.087
Cámara, N., Research, B., & Tuesta, D. (2017). Measuring financial inclusion: A multidimensional index (14/26; BBVA Bank Working Paper, Issue September).
Cámara, N., & Tuesta, D. A. (2014). Measuring financial inclusion: A muldimensional index (14/26; BBVA Research Paper). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2634616
Dabla-Norris, E., Deng, Y., Ivanova, A., Karpowicz, I., Unsal, D. F., VanLeemput, E., & Wong, J. (2015). Financial Inclusion: Zooming in on Latin America (WP/15/206; IMF Working Papers). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513568928.001
Davidovic, S., Loukoianova, E., Sullivan, C., & Tourpe, H. (2019). Strategy for fintech applications in the Pacific Island countries (19/14; IMF Departmental Papers). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498326735.087
de Koker, L., & Jentzsch, N. (2013). Financial inclusion and financial integrity: Aligned incentives? World Development, 44, 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.11.002
Demirguc-Kunt, A., & Klapper, L. (2012). Measuring financial inclusion: The global index database. In Policy Research Working Papers. The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-6025
Gupte, R., Venkataramani, B., & Gupta, D. (2012). Computation of financial inclusion index for India. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 37, 133–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.281
Honohan, P. (2008). Cross-country variation in household access to financial services. Journal of Banking & Finance, 32(11), 2493–2500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2008.05.004
Kaiser, H. F. (1960). The application of electronic computers to factor analysis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 20(1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316446002000116
Lenka, S. K., & Barik, R. (2018). Has expansion of mobile phone and internet use spurred financial inclusion in the SAARC countries? Financial Innovation, 4(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-018-0089-x
Loukoianova, E., Yang, Y., Guo, S., Hunter, L., Jahan, S., Jamaludin, F., & Schauer, J. (2018). Financial inclusion in Asia-Pacific (18/17; IMF Departmental Paper). https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484371015.087
Lukonga, I. (2018). Fintech, inclusive growth and cyber risks: Focus on the MENAP and CCA regions (18/201; IMF Working Paper).
Manyika, J., Lund, S., Singer, M., White, O., & Berry, C. (2016). Digital finance for all: Powering inclusive growth in emerging economies (pp. 1–15). McKinsey Global Institute. www.mckinsey.com/mgi.%0Awww.mckinsey.com/mgi.%0Ahttps://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Featured Insights/Employment and Growth/How digital finance could boost growth in emerging economies/MGI-Digital-Finance-For-All-Executive-summary-September-2016.ash
Mialou, A., Amidzic, G., & Massara, A. (2017). Assessing countries’ financial inclusion standing–A new composite index. Journal of Banking and Financial Economics, 2(8), 105–126.
Park, C.-Y., & Mercado, R. V. Jr. (2018). Financial inclusion: New measurement and cross-country impact assessment (539; ADB Economics Working Paper Series).
Park, C.-Y., & Mercado, R. V. Jr. (2015). Financial inclusion, poverty, and income inequality in developing Asia (426; ADB Economics Working Paper Series).
Pazarbasioglu, C., Mora, A. G., Uttamchandani, M., Natarajan, H., Feyen, E., & Saal, M. (2020). Digital financial services. World Bank Group. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/13673.003.0008
Sahay, R., Allmen, U. E. von, Lahreche, A., Khera, P., Ogawa, S., Bazarbash, M., & Beaton, K. (2020). The promise of fintech: Financial inclusion in the post COVID-19 era. In from International Monetary Fund (20/09; IMF Departmental Papers).
Sahay, R., Čihák, M., Barajas, A., Bi, R., Ayala, D., Gao, Y., Kyobe, A., Nguyen, L., Saborowski, C., Svirydzenka, K., Reza Yousefi, S., Ratna Sahay, B., Bredenkamp, H., Ross Levine, P., Arregui, N., Blancher, N., Brandao-Marques, L., Dell, G., Eugster, J., … Sommer, M. (2015). Rethinking financial deepening: Stability and growth in emerging markets (15/08; IMF Staff Discussion Note).
Sarma, M. (2012). Index of financial inclusion–a measure of financial sector inclusiveness (07/2012; Berlin Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade and Development).
Sarma, M., & Pais, J. (2008). Financial inclusion and development: A cross country analysis. Annual Conference of the Human Development and Capability Association, 10–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid
Shaikh, A. A., Glavee-Geo, R., Karjaluoto, H., & Hinson, R. E. (2023). Mobile money as a driver of digital financial inclusion. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 186, 122158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122158
Sy, A. N., Maino, R., Massara, A., Perez-Saiz, H., & Sharma, P. (2019). Fintech in Sub-Saharan African countries: A game changer? (19/04; IMF Departmental Paper).
Tarazi, M., & Breloff, P. (2010). Nonbank e-money issuers: Regulatory approaches to protecting customer funds. http://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/CGAP-Focus-Note-Nonbank-E-Money-Issuers-Regulatory-Approaches-to-Protecting-Customer-Funds-Jul-2010.pdf
Tay, L.-Y., Tai, H.-T., & Tan, G.-S. (2022). Digital financial inclusion: A gateway to sustainable development. Heliyon, 8(6), e09766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09766
Urhie, E., Amonu, O. C., Mbah, C., Ewetan, O. O., Matthew, O. A., Adediran, O., Adesanya, O., & Adekeye, A. (2021). Banking technology and cashless economy in selected Sub-Saharan African countries: Does education matter? Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(3), 584–595. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-10-2020-0122
World Bank. (2013). Global financial development report: Rethinking the role of the state in finance. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11848