This book addresses the questions of discrimination, vulnerable consumers, and financial inclusion in the light of the emerging legal, socioeconomic, and technological challenges. New technologies – such as artificial intelligence-driven consumer credit risk assessment and Fintech platforms, the changing nature of vulnerability due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sophistication of digital technologies, which help circumvent legal barriers and protections – necessitate the continuous study of the existing legal frameworks and measures that are capable of tackling these challenges. Organized in two major parts, the first addresses, from multiple national angles, the idea of a human rights approach to consumer law, in order to replace the mantra of economic efficiency that characterizes financial services with those of human dignity and freedom from discrimination and from debt-induced servitude. The second tackles the challenges posed by increased usage of technology in connection with financial services, which tends to solve, but also creates, additional issues for consumers in general, and for vulnerable groups in particular.

Despite some improvement since 2011, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag behind other regions in terms of financial inclusion. There is no clear evidence that fintech developments have supported greater financial inclusion in LAC, contrary to what has been observed elsewhere in the world. Case studies by national policy experts suggest that barriers to entry in the financial sector, along with a constraining regulatory environment, may have hindered a faster adoption of fintech. However, fintech development seems to have accelerated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the support of recent policy initiatives.

The second issue in a new series, Global Financial Development Report 2014 takes a step back and re-examines financial inclusion from the perspective of new global datasets and new evidence. It builds on a critical mass of new research and operational work produced by World Bank Group staff as well as outside researchers and contributors.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are goals set by the United Nations to address the global challenges and foster sustainable development and harmony. To effectively achieve these goals, leveraging advanced technologies and engineering techniques is paramount. This edited volume explores the pivotal role of technology and engineering in advancing the SDGs across various sectors such as green energy, water management, healthcare, agriculture, and smart manufacturing. From innovative solutions in clean energy production to precision agriculture and smart cities, technological advancements offer scalable and efficient approaches to tackle complex sustainability issues.

The paper finds that while there are important regional and national differences, countries are broadly embracing the opportunities of fintech to boost economic growth and inclusion, while balancing risks to stability and integrity.

The past two decades have seen a rapid increase in interest in financial inclusion, both from policymakers and researchers. This paper surveys the main findings from the literature, documenting the trends over time and gaps that have arisen across regions, income levels, and gender, among others. It points out that structural, as well as policy-related, factors, such as encouraging banking competition or channeling government payments through bank accounts, play an important role, and describes the potential macro and microeconomic benefits that can be derived from greater financial inclusion. It argues that policy should aim to identify and reduce frictions holding back financial inclusion, rather than targeting specific levels of inclusion. Finally, it suggests areas for future research.

This timely Companion provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between applied ethics and the development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Adopting a holistic approach, an array of global experts identify the norms at stake, map the legal landscape, and contextualize normative expectations in relevant use cases of AI.

With contributions from an international range of active researchers, this Research Agenda provides a timely literature review on core topics related to consumer financial behavior. Chapters cover financial management behavior, desirable financial behavior and any financial behavior that helps improve financial wellbeing.

Marketers have attracted criticism from advocates of marketing ethics for not giving equal attention to all consumers. In other contexts, other nomenclatures such as “less privileged” or “low-income consumers” are being used to describe consumers. However, a critical view of the scope of the disadvantaged consumers shows that it is beyond having limited income and encapsulates all forms of limitations that prevent full inclusion in marketplace opportunities. Critical Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and inclusion in Marketing focuses on exploring diversity, equity, and inclusion in marketing as related to individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. It provides insight into consumption practices, diversity, inclusion, limitations, and their theoretical and practical implications. Covering topics such as ethnic identity negotiation, marketing implications, and consumer vulnerability, this premier reference source is an eclectic resource for business leaders and managers, marketers, sociologists, DEI professionals, libraries, students and educators of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

In this comparative study in US and EU law, Noah Vardi questions whether there is a legally enforceable duty to lend and borrow credit in a “responsible” manner and clarifies the associated notion of “creditworthiness.”