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Access to Financial Services: Measurement, Impact, and Policies

Access to Financial Services: Measurement, Impact, and Policies In many developing countries less than half the population has access to formal financial services, and in most of Africa less than one in five households has access. Lack of access to finance is often the critical mechanism for generating persistent income inequality, as well as slower economic growth. Hence expanding access remains an important challenge across the world, leaving much for governments to do. However, not all government actions are equally effective and some policies can even be counterproductive. This paper sets out principles for effective government policy on broadening access, drawing on the available evidence and illustrating with examples. The paper concludes with directions for future research. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The World Bank Research Observer Oxford University Press

Access to Financial Services: Measurement, Impact, and Policies

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References (94)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© Published by Oxford University Press.
Subject
Symposium on Financial Sector
ISSN
0257-3032
eISSN
1564-6971
DOI
10.1093/wbro/lkn008
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In many developing countries less than half the population has access to formal financial services, and in most of Africa less than one in five households has access. Lack of access to finance is often the critical mechanism for generating persistent income inequality, as well as slower economic growth. Hence expanding access remains an important challenge across the world, leaving much for governments to do. However, not all government actions are equally effective and some policies can even be counterproductive. This paper sets out principles for effective government policy on broadening access, drawing on the available evidence and illustrating with examples. The paper concludes with directions for future research.

Journal

The World Bank Research Observer – Oxford University Press

Published: Feb 27, 2009

Keywords: JEL Codes D31 G20 G21 O12 O16

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