Financial inclusion
Africa leads growth in financial inclusion, finds IMF study
Most comprehensive financial inclusion data set to date highlights rapid expansion of financial access in Africa; emphasises close links between growth and SMEs' access to finance
Digital payments key to financial inclusion, says Gates report
New report into financial inclusion says digital payments are the way forward – but financial service providers will need to charge fees in order to cover the cost of serving the poor
Downsides of technology-driven financial system highlighted at AFI conference
Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz says in opening remarks that financially marginalised groups could suffer as everyday financial activities become increasingly sophisticated
RBI's Rajan sets out vision for ‘inclusive development'
India's new central bank governor hits the ground running, outlining several concrete policy measures ranging from a short-term forex swap window to national savings instruments
Bank Negara Malaysia strikes deals with AFI and HKMA
Malaysian central bank joins forces with the Alliance for Financial Inclusion to develop global capacity-building programmes; will work with HKMA on offshore renminbi business development
Mauritius governor urges African central banks to help small business
Speaking at the AACB's annual get-together, Rundheersing Bheenick calls for support of small businesses alongside traditional ‘pro-poor policies' such as price and currency stability
Bank Negara Malaysia looks to co-operatives to boost financial inclusion
Central bank sets out framework for assessing whether a co-operative is governed well enough to accept deposits from non-members and extend finance to the ‘underserved’
Consumers' inferior bargain position ‘largest issue to be tackled'
RBI's Deepali Pant Joshi says financial crisis had ‘highlighted the importance of financial consumer protection for the long-term stability of the global financial system'
Financial exclusion in Europe driven by move away from cash, study finds
New report from Brussels-based pressure group finds financial exclusion is a growing phenomenon as cash falls out of favour for everyday transactions