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Agent banking in a highly under-developed financial sector : evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Author

Listed:
  • Cull,Robert J.
  • Gine,Xavier
  • Harten,Sven
  • Rusu,Anca Bogdana

Abstract

The paper provides evidence on the number and volume of financial transactions undertaken by agents (local businesses that double as more convenient, lower cost alternatives to formal branches) of the largest microfinance institution operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More important than agents? personal characteristics, transactions are higher in low-income, densely populated areas with high levels of commercial development. This finding suggests that the agent network has been best at supporting financial transactions among the urban poor. In addition, branding and effective liquidity management are strongly linked to agent activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Cull,Robert J. & Gine,Xavier & Harten,Sven & Rusu,Anca Bogdana, 2017. "Agent banking in a highly under-developed financial sector : evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7984, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7984
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chamboko, Richard & Cull, Robert & Giné, Xavier & Heitmann, Soren & Reitzug, Fabian & Westhuizen, Morne Van Der, 2021. "The role of gender in agent banking: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    2. Johnen, Constantin & Parlasca, Martin & Mußhoff, Oliver, 2023. "Mobile money adoption in Kenya: The role of mobile money agents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Bahati Sanga & Meshach Aziakpono, 2022. "The impact of technological innovations on financial deepening: Implications for SME financing in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(4), pages 429-442, December.
    4. Md. Imran Hossain & Md. Al-Amin & Md Abu Toha, 2021. "Are Commercial Agent Banking Services Worthwhile For Financial Inclusion?," Business Management and Strategy, Macrothink Institute, vol. 12(2), pages 206-227, December.
    5. Iftekhar Ahmed Robin & Mohammad Mazharul Islam & Majed Alharthi, 2025. "The Impact of FinTech on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Bangladesh: A Random-Effect Model Analysis," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Carolina Mattsson, 2019. "Networks of monetary flow at native resolution," Papers 1910.05596, arXiv.org.
    7. Beck,Thorsten & Cull,Robert J. & Mare,Davide Salvatore & Valenzuela,Patricio, 2023. "Banking in Africa : Opportunities and Challenges in Volatile Times," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10632, The World Bank.
    8. Gupta, Sanal & Singh, Puran, 2023. "What drives activity of banking agents? Evidence from Rural India," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    9. Sinja Buri & Robert Cull & Xavier Giné, 2023. "Alternative delivery channels and impacts: agent banking," Chapters, in: Valentina Hartarska & Robert J. Cull (ed.), Handbook of Microfinance, Financial Inclusion and Development, chapter 9, pages 150-163, Edward Elgar Publishing.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    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
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other

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