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The sustainable practices of multinational banks as drivers of financial inclusion in developing countries

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  • Úbeda, Fernando
  • Mendez, Alvaro
  • Forcadell, Francisco Javier

Abstract

Lack of access to banking is a major problem that contributes to inequality in the developing world. For this reason, financial inclusion is a crucial objective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we investigate the impact of the sustainable practices of multinational banks (MNBs) on financial inclusion. Drawing from a sample of 24 developing countries and 28,089 individuals, we obtain robust evidence about the positive effect of sustainable practices on financial inclusion. We find that MNBs increase the use of mobile bank accounts in the developing world. We also find that when these MNBs follow sustainable practices, the use of mobile bank accounts positively intensifies. These findings are consequential because mobile banking is one of the most powerful means to achieve financial inclusion in the developing world.

Suggested Citation

  • Úbeda, Fernando & Mendez, Alvaro & Forcadell, Francisco Javier, 2022. "The sustainable practices of multinational banks as drivers of financial inclusion in developing countries," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115063, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:115063
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    Cited by:

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    3. Huo, Songtao & Ni, Likun & Basheer, Muhammad Farhan & Al-Aiban, Khalid M. & Hassan, Saira Ghulam, 2024. "The role of fintech, mineral resource abundance, green energy and financial inclusion on ecological footprint in E7 countries: New insight from panel nonlinear ARDL cointegration approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sustainable banking; finance inclusion; mobile banking accounts; sustainable development goals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G00 - Financial Economics - - General - - - General
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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