Financial inclusion in banking: A literature review and future research directions

Ozili, Peterson K (2025): Financial inclusion in banking: A literature review and future research directions. Forthcoming in:

Abstract

This article presents a synopsis of financial inclusion research in banking. Complementing the existing reviews of the financial inclusion literature, I offer my own thoughts on the role of financial inclusion in banking, and the role of banks in financial inclusion. I focus my discussion on the effect of bank managerial discretion and regulation on financial inclusion outcomes, and the effect of financial inclusion on the business of banking. I show that bank managerial discretion and regulation affect financial inclusion through bank cost optimization decisions and regulatory changes that may have unintended consequences, while financial inclusion affects banks by increasing the deposit base of banks, improving bank profitability, improving banks’ resilience to shocks, improving bank stability and reducing bank risk. I also offer suggestions for future research directions.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: financial inclusion, banks, research, fintech, risk, stability
• Subjects: G - Financial Economics > G2 - Financial Institutions and Services > G21 - Banks ; Depository Institutions ; Micro Finance Institutions ; Mortgages; G - Financial Economics > G2 - Financial Institutions and Services > G28 - Government Policy and Regulation

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