Cover Staff Discussion Notes
Financial Inclusion: Can it Meet Multiple Macroeconomic Goals?
Author:
Ms. Ratna Sahay
Search for other papers by Ms. Ratna Sahay in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Mr. Martin Cihak
Search for other papers by Mr. Martin Cihak in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3571-9707
,
Mr. Papa M N'Diaye
Search for other papers by Mr. Papa M N'Diaye in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Mr. Adolfo Barajas
Search for other papers by Mr. Adolfo Barajas in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Ms. Srobona Mitra
Search for other papers by Ms. Srobona Mitra in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Ms. Annette J Kyobe
Search for other papers by Ms. Annette J Kyobe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
,
Miss Yen N Mooi
Search for other papers by Miss Yen N Mooi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
, and
Mr. Seyed Reza Yousefinull

Search for other papers by Mr. Seyed Reza Yousefi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
Series:
Staff Discussion Notes
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2015: Issue 017
Language:
English
Publication Date:
15 Sep 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513585154.006
ISBN:
9781513585154
ISSN:
2617-6750
Pages:
33
Keywords:
SDN; bank stability; bank; account ownership; share; return; financial inclusion; economic growth; economic stability; financial stability; gender; inequality; banking sector; external finance; bank board; bank credit; share of woman; account holder; Financial sector stability; Women; Credit; Global; South Asia
Legal-disclaimer:
Staff Discussion Notes (SDNs) showcase policy-related analysis and research being developed by IMF staff members and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate.The views expressed in this Policy Discussion Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy.
Download PDF (2 MB) Download Epub
Using several recently available global datasets, this Staff Discussion Note examines macroeconomic effects of financial inclusion. It finds significant benefits to economic growth from financial inclusion, but the benefits diminish as financial inclusion and depth become large. Broadening access to credit can compromise economic and bank stability in countries with weak bank supervision. Other forms of financial inclusion—such as access to and use of bank accounts, branches, and ATMs—do not hurt stability, and can be promoted extensively. The note finds that gaps in financial inclusion are associated with economic inequality, but the association appears relatively weak.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Staff Discussion Notes
Staff Discussion Notes
ISSN:
2617-6750
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund
Volume 2015: Issue 017