The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America

The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America

Author: Mr. Bas B. Bakker

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2023-03-29

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13:

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In the past decade, fintech has shaken up the financial sector in Latin America providing innovations in lending, payments, insurance, and regulation and compliance. This paper examines this development by focusing on both fintech services and regulation. Exploring fintech’s macro-critical impact using country- and bank-level data, we find that booming financial technologies in Latin America have helped boost competition in the banking sector and inclusion. Additionally, we demonstrate that fintech firms in Latin America experienced robust growth even during the pandemic supported by external funding. Finally, we discuss how regulators are addressing the risks associated with financial technologies and how they are leveraging fintech tools in their supervisory activities.


Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean

Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean

Author: Mr. Dmitry Gershenson

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2021-08-20

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13: 1513592238

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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.


FinTech in Sub-Saharan African Countries

FinTech in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Author: Mr.Amadou N Sy

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-02-14

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 1484385667

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FinTech is a major force shaping the structure of the financial industry in sub-Saharan Africa. New technologies are being developed and implemented in sub-Saharan Africa with the potential to change the competitive landscape in the financial industry. While it raises concerns on the emergence of vulnerabilities, FinTech challenges traditional structures and creates efficiency gains by opening up the financial services value chain. Today, FinTech is emerging as a technological enabler in the region, improving financial inclusion and serving as a catalyst for the emergence of innovations in other sectors, such as agriculture and infrastructure.


The Promise of Fintech

The Promise of Fintech

Author: Ms.Ratna Sahay

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2020-07-01

Total Pages: 83

ISBN-13: 1513512242

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Technology is changing the landscape of the financial sector, increasing access to financial services in profound ways. These changes have been in motion for several years, affecting nearly all countries in the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has created new opportunities for digital financial services to accelerate and enhance financial inclusion, amid social distancing and containment measures. At the same time, the risks emerging prior to COVID-19, as digital financial services developed, are becoming even more relevant.


The Global Findex Database 2017

The Global Findex Database 2017

Author: Asli Demirguc-Kunt

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2018-04-19

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 1464812683

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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.


The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America

The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America

Author: Oscar Montiel

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2022-06-23

Total Pages: 411

ISBN-13: 1800719574

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The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America presents a detailed and extensive review of the most relevant literature published in Latin America, critically analysing and exposing historical processes along with emerging debates, suggesting future paths for its entrepreneurship ecosystems, agents, sectors and regions.


OECD Economic Surveys: Colombia 2024

OECD Economic Surveys: Colombia 2024

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2024-09-17

Total Pages: 134

ISBN-13: 9264682570

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After a robust recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, Colombia's economic growth is returning to a low potential. Medium-term growth prospects depend on maintaining Colombia's strong macroeconomic framework and enacting reforms to create a business-friendly environment which can attract high levels of investment. Implementing fiscal consolidation and adhering to fiscal rules would prevent rising financing costs and safeguard debt sustainability. Reforms to raise tax revenues and improve spending efficiency are needed to create fiscal space for social and productive investment needs. Enhancing the investment climate requires reducing regulatory uncertainties and tackling corruption. Creating connected transport infrastructure, strengthening subnational government capacities and improving equalisation mechanisms in the fiscal transfer system would foster balanced development across the country. Addressing informality, gender gaps, and improving education quality would boost productivity and reduce social disparities. Investing in climate adaptation, renewable energy, and establishing stable regulatory frameworks are key for a climate-resilient economy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. SPECIAL FEATURES: RAISING PRODUCTIVITY; REDUCING LABOUR INFORMALITY; REGIONAL CONVERGENCE


Algeria

Algeria

Author: International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2024-04-12

Total Pages: 94

ISBN-13:

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The Algerian economy was still emerging from the Covid pandemic when it was hit by spillovers from Russia’s war in Ukraine and by recurrent droughts. These shocks fueled inflation while high international hydrocarbon prices also boosted government revenue and exports. Algeria’s economy likely recorded a robust growth in 2023 and the external position remained solid, with a current account surplus for the second year in a row and further accumulation of international reserves. Inflation remains elevated and could become entrenched. The 2023–24 budgets aim at supporting the purchasing power of households but risk depleting the buffers that protect the budget from revenue volatility. Structural reforms are advancing with the enactment of the Monetary and Banking law and the implementation of program budgeting and the 2022 Investment Law. Investment in digitalization would strengthen governance and transparency, reduce corruption risks, and improve service delivery.


Fintech

Fintech

Author: International Monetary Fund

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-06-27

Total Pages: 73

ISBN-13: 1498321860

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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.


Is Digital Financial Inclusion Unlocking Growth?

Is Digital Financial Inclusion Unlocking Growth?

Author: Purva Khera

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2021-06-11

Total Pages: 30

ISBN-13: 1513584669

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Digital financial services have been a key driver of financial inclusion in recent years. While there is evidence that financial inclusion through traditional services has a positive impact on economic growth, do the same results carry over for digital financial inclusion? What drives digital financial inclusion? Why does it advance more in some countries but not in others? Using new indices of financial inclusion developed in Khera et. al. (2021), this paper addresses these questions for 52 developing countries. Using cross-sectional instrument variable procedure, we find that the exogenous component of digital financial inclusion is positively associated with growth in GDP per capita during 2011-2018, which suggests that digital financial inclusion can accelerate economic growth. Fractional logit and random effects empirical estimation identifies access to infrastructure, financial and digital literacy, and quality of institutions as key drivers of digital financial inclusion. These findings are then used to help inform policy recommendations in areas related to the digitization of financial services to promote financial inclusion.