Narrowing Asia's financial inclusion gap

Nearly a quarter of the APAC population still lacks access to traditional banking services, according to Statista. Translated, this is hundreds of millions of people who are either unbanked or underbanked, with no access to savings accounts, loans or formal credit.

However, the regulatory environment in many Asian countries is rapidly changing as governments come to grips with the digital revolution.

For example, India's Unified Payments Interface is making digital payments accessible to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The benefits support the growth of fintech companies, improve the efficiency of government services, and boost the growth of e-commerce and digital businesses.

In Indonesia, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has been leading the charge. Its BRILink network uses local banking agents, allowing people in remote areas to access banking services without visiting a physical branch. Millions have gained access to financial services.

As a result, the thirst for modern payment infrastructure is exploding for existing banking customers. In the Asean region, for example, banks and fintechs increasingly see the need to improve their products to better meet customer needs; digital, hyper-personalized, instant and embedded payment experiences.

However, the emerging policy and innovation initiatives across the region will also create the impetus for tech companies to finally and meaningfully drive significant change for the large swathes of the region's unbanked populations.

It's now up to the industry to respond.

To be clear, financial inclusion is more than just a noble goal — it is a strategic imperative that can significantly boost economic growth, prosperity and stability.

For technology companies, this is a means to tap into substantial market potential.

In our view, the role of tech companies is to provide the tools and infrastructure necessary for financial institutions to offer more accessible services — solutions not only technologically advanced but also culturally and economically tailored to specific markets.

For example, by 2023, more than 480 million bank accounts were opened under India's Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), drastically reducing the number of unbanked individuals, and enabling direct benefit transfers from the government.

Tech innovations like mobile banking, microloans, and digital payment solutions offer services that are both affordable and accessible.

However, these solutions aren't going to magically emerge or reach those who need them.

If fintechs are going to develop solutions that will help to narrow the bankable gap, they need to understand and meet the unique needs of Asian consumers and the commercial landscape more broadly. It also requires fintechs to be alive to the megatrends facing the region.

First, Asia's diverse and large population demands solutions that can scale and be tailored to local needs. This dynamic is pushing fintechs to innovate quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, the competitive landscape in Asia is intense. Startups and established financial institutions are competing for market share. Competition fuels initiative, as companies strive to differentiate themselves with superior products and services.

Asia's relatively young population, like digital natives worldwide, is open to adopting new technologies, especially in digital payments. The demographic trend creates fertile ground for experimenting with new payment solutions.

Asia's continued shift away from cash increases the need to deliver digital payment reliability as the growth trends deepen and accelerate. There's still work required to build confidence and ensure systems are robust enough to handle the rising volume of transactions. This is crucial in Asia, where the stakes of any system failure are high.

Reliability isn't just about transaction success rates; it's about making sure every stakeholder — consumers, merchants and financial institutions — can have faith in the systems.

Security is critical. As more people and businesses rely on electronic payments, the systems supporting these transactions must be secure against external threats and internal vulnerabilities. One breach could destroy carefully built reputations.

This is where reliability goes beyond technology. It's about building trust with consumers new to electronic payments, giving them confidence to use new products and methods. Tech companies can work closely with regulators, financial institutions and stakeholders, invest in consumer education, and continue to develop technology to underpin these systems. The benefits will be felt by everyone.

The future of fintech in Asia is bright, with strategic expansion, innovation and reliability at its core.

As governments continue to prioritize financial inclusion, and as the shift away from cash accelerates, the role of tech companies will only become more crucial. By focusing on these key areas, we can ensure that Asia's financial revolution not only continues but also thrives.

Source: Manila Times

Filipino youth worry about climate change, education

Around 44% of young Filipinos expect future generations to be “worse off than today,” amid rising concern over climate change, education and lack of jobs, according to a survey by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Results of the U-Report survey also showed 37% of Filipino youth think the next generations will be “better off than today” while 19% believe conditions will be the same.

“While youth are split on whether the future generation is “worse off” or “better off” (44% vs 37%) they do see the value that rapid technological innovations and democratic access to information can bring,” UNICEF said in a statement.

According to the survey, 26% of young Filipinos see climate change, including natural disasters, as the biggest problem they will face in the future.

Also, 23% of respondents are concerned they will not be able to finish their education, while 22% are worried about finding a job and about their health (both physical and mental).

The results of the survey were released ahead of the Summit of the Future 2024 in New York on Sept. 22-23.

“The U-Report findings reveal the sobering, yet hopeful outlook young people have about their prospects for the future,” UNICEF Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov was quoted in a statement.

“We should listen to what they have to say and work together to address these issues so that every child is cared for, protected, and given a fair chance in life,” she added.

The U-Report poll was conducted online from June 13 to July 14, 2024. Of the 3,109 respondents, 44% were aged 15-19 and 37% were aged 20-24.

Asked what the biggest obstacle will be to getting their dream job or starting a business in the future, 33% of respondents were worried about the lack of jobs for people without experience.

Another 26% were concerned about the economic situation, while 20% said access to a good education is hampering their prospects.

Asked what they will do if given a chance to be the Philippine president, respondents said they will prioritize education, health and the economy to build a better future. They also want to address corruption as well as issues related to agriculture, poverty, and the environment.

“New generations are bringing a reinvigorated sense of solidarity and a compelling call for collective action. Both are essential to build the future we want,” UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo González was quoted as saying.

The survey also showed the majority, or 69%, of respondents said the United Nations (UN) is “very important’ in creating a better future for them as well as for future generations.

“Every young person’s concern has always been to finish their studies and find a job good enough to support their families. This is a fundamental aspiration, as quality education has a real corresponding impact on the quality of jobs offered to the youth in the future,” Terry L. Ridon, a lawyer and former party-list lawmaker, said in a Viber message.

The Philippine government should address climate-related challenges, Mr. Ridon said. It must also bolster measures to boost job generation and expand access to quality education.

Source: Business World

UK Househunters raise a glass to good pubs

Moving house for a good school has been a feature of the property ladder for decades, but for some buyers there are other priorities. A survey suggests that buyers would also consider moving house for a good pub.

As the number of classic local pubs declines, more homeowners consider them a local amenity worth considering when looking for a property. The survey, by the estate agent Jackson- Stops, found that 75 per cent of respondents rated a good pub as the most important “lifestyle” amenity when looking for a new home, ahead of a sports centre, health club and other bar.

Additionally, 26 per cent of buyers said that living near a National Trust property or stately home was a priority. Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson- Stops, said: “It is heartwarming to see the nation’s support for local businesses, a yearning for the high streets of old.

Villages that still embody these characteristics undoubtedly command a sizeable house price premium as a result. “In particular, in the face of depleting local pubs, the popularity of villages and homes near well-regarded watering holes will continue to grab homebuyers’ attention. “Just like our homes, our local pubs can represent more than just a place to eat or drink, acting as a local focal point to make new acquaintances and connect to the community.

They say a dog makes a house a home; then perhaps for British homeowners a pub makes the perfect community.” The survey classified amenities into three categories: lifestyle, local services and shops. Pubs came out top on the lifestyle category, while among local services buyers prioritised GP services, broadband and public transport.

For shops, Britons are also drawn to the traditional high street: post offices, farm shops and butchers all made the top five. Leeming said: “In an economy where many small businesses such as pubs and farms are struggling to survive, those villages and towns with genuinely thriving high streets and well-regarded eateries will be harder to find, and as a result those left will become the focus for prime homebuyers.”

The decline of the local pub has long been linked to a loss of community feeling and belonging. One study by King’s College London even found that the loss of a local pub impacts political behaviour.

Researchers examined the characteristics of pubs across the country and identified those which they labelled community pubs: long-standing local watering holes, often independently owned, which had become the last remaining community space in predominantly working class areas.

Source: The Times