In 2011 the World Bank—with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—launched the Global Findex database, the world's most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. Drawing on survey data collected in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., the Global Findex database covers more than 140 economies around the world. The initial survey round was followed by a second one in 2014 and by a third in 2017. Compiled using nationally representative surveys of more than 150,000 adults age 15 and above in over 140 economies, The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and the Fintech Revolution includes updated indicators on access to and use of formal and informal financial services. It has additional data on the use of financial technology (or fintech), including the use of mobile phones and the Internet to conduct financial transactions. The data reveal opportunities to expand access to financial services among people who do not have an account—the unbanked—as well as to promote greater use of digital financial services among those who do have an account. The Global Findex database has become a mainstay of global efforts to promote financial inclusion. In addition to being widely cited by scholars and development practitioners, Global Findex data are used to track progress toward the World Bank goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The database, the full text of the report, and the underlying country-level data for all figures—along with the questionnaire, the survey methodology, and other relevant materials—are available at www.worldbank.org/globalfindex.

Towards Financial Inclusion in India provides an in-depth analysis of the various pillars of financial inclusion such as micro-remittance, micro-savings, micro-credit, and micro-insurance. The book stresses on financial literacy and counseling, which are core to the achievement of financial inclusion. The authors dwell upon the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups like women, tribals, weavers, and rural populace while trying to access financial services. The book also analyzes inclusion measures like ICT interventions, post office model, and payment mechanisms. Striking a balance between pragmatic policy-making and a genuine social security mechanism, the book emphasizes that financial services should be cost-effective and easily affordable to the vast majority of disadvantaged and low-income groups.

Behavioral finance challenges the traditional assumption that individuals are rational by focusing on the cognitive and emotional aspects of finance, which draws on psychology, sociology, and biology to investigate true financial behavior. The financial sector requires sound understanding of market dynamics and strategic issues to meet future challenges in the field. Behavioral Finance and Decision-Making Models seeks to examine behavioral biases and their impact on investment decisions in order to develop better future plans and strategies in the financial sector. While highlighting topics including behavioral approach, financial regulation, and globalized sector, this book is intended for policymakers, technology developers, managers, government officials, academicians, researchers, and advanced-level students.

Financial inclusion has been one of the most propagated ideologies in countries, and as a result, significant efforts have been taken to nurture institutions and systems to include an array of socio-economic classes. Various financial institutions and societies have taken steps toward financial inclusion, but to be successful, they need to understand how to accurately target and market their potential customers as well as the new avenues for development. Marketing Techniques for Financial Inclusion and Development is a critical scholarly resource on the marketing techniques adopted by various financial institutions and societies for promoting financial inclusion initiatives for the development of the society at large. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as consumer awareness, financial literacy, and micro-enterprises, this book is geared towards managers, investors, brokers, researchers, and all others within the banking industry.

We examine how the development of the digital infrastructure known as the “India Stack”—including an interoperable payments system, a universal digital ID, and other features—is delivering on the government’s objective to expand the provision of financial services. While each individual component of the India Stack is important, we argue that its key overarching feature is a foundational approach of providing extensive public infrastructures and standards that generates important synergies across the layers of the Stack. Until recently, a large share of India’s population lacked access to formal banking services and was largely reliant on cash for financial transactions. The expansion of mobile-based financial services that enable simple and convenient ways to save and conduct financial transactions has provided a novel alternative for expanding the financial net. The Stack’s improved digital infrastructures have already allowed for a rapid increase in the use of digital payments and the entry of a range of competitors including fintech and bigtech firms.

In India, while one segment of the population has access to an assortment of banking services and financial counseling, the other segment of underprivileged and lower income group is totally deprived of even basic financial services. Exclusion of large segments of the society from financial services adversely affects the overall economic growth of a country. In order to ensure financial inclusion of the poor, particularly in rural areas, various initiatives have been taken by the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These include the nationalization of commercial banks, the establishment and expansion of rural credit co-operatives, regional rural banks, urban co-operative banks, micro finance and self-help groups, mutual funds, and pension funds. There are several challenges that require concerted efforts from banks, the RBI, and India's government to ensure a convenient and cost-effective delivery of financial services to the public at large. In particular, the challenge is to introduce innovations in risk assessment, reduce transaction costs, devise new credit delivery channels, and use information technology to make financial inclusion a viable model. This book examines the various policies and programs that were implemented in order to make financial services more accessible to the country's underprivileged income groups, resulting in millions of bank accounts being opened. [Subject: India Studies, Economics, Poverty Studies, Development Studies]

There is no industry left where artificial intelligence is not used in some capacity. The application of this technology has already stretched across a multitude of domains including law and policy; it will soon permeate areas beyond anyone’s imagination. Technology giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook are already investing their money, effort, and time toward integrating artificial intelligence. As this technology continues to develop and expand, it is critical for everyone to understand the various applications of artificial intelligence and its full potential. The Handbook of Research on Innovative Management Using AI in Industry 5.0 uncovers new and innovative features of artificial intelligence and how it can help in raising economic efficiency at both micro and macro levels and provides a deeper understanding of the relevant aspects of artificial intelligence impacting efficacy for better output. Covering topics such as consumer behavior, information technology, and personalized banking, it is an ideal resource for researchers, academicians, policymakers, business professionals, companies, and students.

This book discusses ideas for stakeholders to develop strategies to access and use financial products and services such as deposits, loans, and fund transfer mechanism, insurance, payment services, and intermediaries, distribution channels at economical prices in order to cater to the needs of the poor and underprivileged people. Financial inclusion ensures ease of access, availability, and usage of the financial products and services to all the sections of the society. The book will help in recognizing the role of financial inclusion as one of the main drivers in reducing income inequality and thus supporting sustainable economic growth of the countries, especially of an emerging economy. The book provides conceptual and practical ideas from the practitioners, best practices from the experts, and empirical views from the researchers on the best practices and how to mitigate the challenges and issues plaguing the development of the financial inclusion.

Developing personal financial skills and improving financial literacy are fundamental aspects for managing money and propelling a bright financial future. Considering life events and risks that unexpectantly present themselves, especially in the light of recent global events, there is often an uncertainty associated with financial standings in unsettled times. It is important to have personal finance management to prepare for times of crisis, and personal finance is something to be thought about in everyday life. The incorporation of financial literacy for individuals is essential for a decision-making process that could affect their financial future. Having a keen understanding of beneficial and detrimental financial decisions, a plan for personal finances, and personalized goals are baselines for money management that will create stability and prosperity. In a world that is rapidly digitalized, there are new tools and technologies that have entered the sphere of finance as well that should be integrated into the conversation. The latest methods and models for improving financial literacy along with critical information on budgeting, saving, and managing spending are essential topics in today’s world. The Research Anthology on Personal Finance and Improving Financial Literacy provides readers with the latest research and developments in how to improve, understand, and utilize personal finance methodologies or services and obtain critical financial literacy. The chapters within this essential reference work will cover personal finance technologies, banking, investing, budgeting, saving, and the best practices and techniques for optimal money management. This book is ideally designed for business managers, financial consultants, entrepreneurs, auditors, economists, accountants, academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on modern advancements and recent findings in personal finance.

Limited access to financial services impedes economic development in impoverished communities, which has prompted policy makers, private institutions, and NGOs to develop strategies to address financial inclusion. Samuel Kirwan examines the various types of policy implementation and considers the efficacy of such economic interventions.