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Microfinance institutions and the provision of mobile financial services: First empirical evidence

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  • Dorfleitner, Gregor
  • Nguyen, Quynh Anh
  • Röhe, Michaela

Abstract

This study empirically investigates the factors driving the provision of mobile financial services (MFS) by microfinance institutions (MFIs). Using a worldwide data set on 999 MFIs and employing a probit regression, we find a positive relationship between the financial expenses of an institution and MFS adoption. Our results also show that the share of deposits is positively related to the probability of offering MFS. Moreover, larger institutions and MFIs of the bank type are more likely to adopt mobile technology in providing financial services. Furthermore, the depth of outreach is weakly positively related to the provision of MFS, suggesting that the social mission of MFIs is not impaired by the provision of MFS.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorfleitner, Gregor & Nguyen, Quynh Anh & Röhe, Michaela, 2019. "Microfinance institutions and the provision of mobile financial services: First empirical evidence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:31:y:2019:i:c:s1544612318302368
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2018.12.002
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    5. Dorfleitner, Gregor & Röhe, Michaela & Renier, Noémie, 2017. "The access of microfinance institutions to debt capital: An empirical investigation of microfinance investment vehicles," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 1-15.
    6. D’Espallier, Bert & Hudon, Marek & Szafarz, Ariane, 2013. "Unsubsidized microfinance institutions," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 174-176.
    7. Hermes, Niels & Lensink, Robert & Meesters, Aljar, 2011. "Outreach and Efficiency of Microfinance Institutions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 938-948, June.
    8. Shakil Quayes, 2012. "Depth of outreach and financial sustainability of microfinance institutions," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(26), pages 3421-3433, September.
    9. Iftekhar Ahmed & Abul Bashar Bhuiyan & Abul Bashar Bhuiyan & Yusnidah Ibrahim & Jamaliah Said & Mohammed Fuad Mohd Salleh, 2016. "Social Accountability of Microfinance Institutions in South Asian Region," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 6(3), pages 824-829.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Chu & Shujun Ye & Hongchang Li & Jack Strauss & Chen Zhao, 2023. "Can Digitalization Foster Sustainable Financial Inclusion? Opportunities for Both Banks and Vulnerable Groups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Ana Paula Matias Gama & Ricardo Emanuel Correia & Mário Augusto & Fábio Duarte, 2023. "Third-party signals in crowdfunded microfinance: which microfinance institutions boost crowdfunding among refugee entrepreneurs?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 559-586, August.
    3. Gregor Dorfleitner & Davide Forcella & Quynh Anh Nguyen, 2021. "Why microfinance institutions go digital: An empirical analysis," Working Papers CEB 21-003, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Md Tariqul Islam, 2022. "Application of Information and Communications Technology in MFIs: Evidence from Bangladesh," International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 8(4), pages 37-43, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microfinance institutions; Mobile financial services; Outreach; Operational efficiency; Digitization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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