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Big techs, QR code payments and financial inclusion

Author

Listed:
  • Beck, Thorsten
  • Gambacorta, Leonardo
  • Huang, Yiping
  • Li, Zhenhua
  • Qiu, Han

Abstract

Using a unique dataset of around half a million Chinese firms that use a QR code-based mobile payment system, we find that (i) the creation of a digital payment footprint allows firms to access credit provided by the same big tech company; (ii) transaction data generated via QR code generate spillover effects on access to bank credit; and (iii) there are positive effects of access to big tech credit on sales, including during the Covid-19 shock. The findings suggest that access to innovative payment methods helps micro firms build up credit history, and that using big tech credit can ease access to bank credit.

Suggested Citation

  • Beck, Thorsten & Gambacorta, Leonardo & Huang, Yiping & Li, Zhenhua & Qiu, Han, 2022. "Big techs, QR code payments and financial inclusion," CEPR Discussion Papers 17297, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17297
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    2. Ozili, Peterson K, 2024. "Digital Innovations for Increasing Financial Inclusion: CBDC, Cryptocurrency, Embedded finance, Artificial Intelligence, WaaS, Fintech, Bigtech, and DeFi," MPRA Paper 121848, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Gambacorta, Leonardo & Madio, Leonardo & Parigi, Bruno, 2023. "Platform Lending and Innovation," CEPR Discussion Papers 18622, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    4. Dong, Yingwei & Gou, Qin & Qiu, Han, 2023. "Big tech credit score and default risk ——Evidence from loan-level data of a representative microfinance company in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    5. Agur, Itai & Ari, Anil & Dell’Ariccia, Giovanni, 2025. "Bank competition and household privacy in a digital payment monopoly," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    6. Julian Caballero & Sebastian Doerr & Aaron Mehrotra & Fabrizio Zampolli, 2025. "How far can digital innovation improve credit to small firms in emerging market economies?," BIS Bulletins 99, Bank for International Settlements.
    7. Ozili, Peterson K, 2023. "Benefits of digital-only financial inclusion," MPRA Paper 118796, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Yiping Huang & Xiang Li & Han Qiu & Changhua Yu, 2023. "Big tech credit and monetary policy transmission: micro-level evidence from China," BIS Working Papers 1084, Bank for International Settlements.
    9. Cuadros-Solas, Pedro J. & Cubillas, Elena & Salvador, Carlos, 2023. "Does alternative digital lending affect bank performance? Cross-country and bank-level evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    10. Doerr, Sebastian & Frost, Jon & Gambacorta, Leonardo & Shreeti, Vatsala, 2023. "Big techs in finance," CEPR Discussion Papers 18665, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    11. Agustín Carstens & Nandan Nilekani, 2024. "Finternet: the financial system for the future," BIS Working Papers 1178, Bank for International Settlements.
    12. Yanfei Dong & Jiayin Hu & Yiping Huang & Han Qiu & Yingguang Zhang, 2025. "The use and disuse of FinTech credit: When buy-now-pay-later meets credit reporting," BIS Working Papers 1239, Bank for International Settlements.
    13. Ayatulloh Michael Musyaffi & Razana Juhaida Johari & Christian Wiradendi Wolor & Amer Azlan Abdul Jamal & Anaya Zahra Santika & Muhammad Arifsyah Arifi, 2023. "The Innovativeness and Value of Quick Response Code Payment for MSMEs: The Influence of Security-Related Factor," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 6, pages 89-107.
    14. Huang, Yiping & Li, Xiang & Qiu, Han & Su, Dan & Yu, Changhua, 2024. "Bigtech credit, small business, and monetary policy transmission: Theory and evidence," IWH Discussion Papers 18/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), revised 2024.
    15. Michael Chui & Leonardo Gambacorta & Emanuel Kohlscheen & Han Qiu, 2025. "Navigating global headwinds: Africa's trade landscape and growth opportunities," BIS Bulletins 109, Bank for International Settlements.
    16. Ding, Jingxuan & Luo, Jingwen & Xu, Xian, 2025. "How does Fintech shape the functioning of SMEs' risk managements? The case of face-scan payment," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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