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Epidemic Exposure, Fintech Adoption, and the Digital Divide

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  • Saka, Orkun
  • Eichengreen, Barry
  • Aksoy, Cevat Giray

Abstract

We ask whether epidemic exposure leads to a shift in financial technology usage and who participates in this shift. We exploit a dataset combining Gallup World Polls and Global Findex surveys for some 250,000 individuals in 140 countries, merging them with information on the incidence of epidemics and local 3G internet infrastructure. Epidemic exposure is associated with an increase in remote-access (online/mobile) banking and substitution from bank branch-based to ATM activity. The temporary nature of the effects we identify is more consistent with a demand channel rather than that of supply with high initial fixed costs. Exploring heterogeneity using a machine-learning driven approach, we find that young, high-income earners in full-time employment have the greatest tendency to shift to online/mobile transactions in response to epidemics. Baseline effects are larger for individuals with better ex ante 3G signal coverage, highlighting the role of the digital divide in adaption to new technologies necessitated by adverse external shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Saka, Orkun & Eichengreen, Barry & Aksoy, Cevat Giray, 2022. "Epidemic Exposure, Fintech Adoption, and the Digital Divide," CEPR Discussion Papers 16323, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16323
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    2. Fabian Kosse & Tim Leffler & Arna Woemmel, 2025. "Digital Skills: Social Disparities and the Impact of Early Mentoring," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1222, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    3. Joël Cariolle & Florian Léon, 2022. "How internet helped firms cope with COVID-19 [Comment internet a aidé les entreprises à faire face à la Covid-19]," Post-Print hal-03606071, HAL.
    4. Taehwan Rhee & Jacob Wood & Jungsuk Kim, 2022. "Digital Transformation as a Demographic and Economic Integrated Policy for Southeast Asian Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Huarng, Kun-Huang & Yu, Tiffany Hui-Kuang, 2022. "Causal complexity analysis for fintech adoption at the country level," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 228-234.
    6. Fabian Kosse & Tim Leffler & Arna Woemmel, 2024. "Digital Skills: Social Disparities and the Impact of Early Mentoring," CESifo Working Paper Series 11570, CESifo.
    7. Giulio Cornelli & Jon Frost & Jonathan Warren & Clair Yang & Carolina Velásquez, 2024. "Retail fast payment systems as a catalyst for digital finance," BIS Working Papers 1228, Bank for International Settlements.
    8. Long Hai Vo & Thai-Ha Le & Donghyun Park, 2025. "Digital Divide Decoded: Can E-Commerce and Remote Workforce Enhance Enterprise Resilience in the Covid-19 Era?," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 50(4), pages 25-57, December.
    9. Pangyue Cheng, 2023. "Decoding the rise of Central Bank Digital Currency in China: designs, problems, and prospects," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(2), pages 156-170, June.
    10. Cyril Monnet & Hyun Song Shin & Jon Frost & Leonardo Gambacorta & Raphael Auer & Tara Rice, 2022. "Central Bank Digital Currencies: Motives, Economic Implications, and the Research Frontier," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 14(1), pages 697-721, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G59 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Other
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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