Excerpt
2024, Paper: "This paper explores the impact of financial technology (fintech) on financial in clusion, focusing on the cost of accessing essential financial services as a metric for financial inclusion. Fintech innovations, from digital payments to automated investment platforms, have reshaped traditional finance and show promise in expanding affordable access. However, assessing fintech’s impact on financial inclusion is challenging due to the limitations of common metrics, like bank ac count ownership, which often overlook affordability barriers. This study lever ages data to analyze costs of accessing basic services and assess the impact of f intech oncosts of accessing basic financial services. Findings reveal a significant association between fintech engagementandreducedbankingcosts, particularly benefiting lower-income communities with greater internet connectivity."