Shifting Branchless Banking Regulation from Enabling to Fostering Competition

Banking & Finance Law Review, Vol. 30, No. 2, April 2015

31 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2010 Last revised: 6 Jun 2015

Date Written: June 29, 2014

Abstract

Branchless banking solutions in most countries tend to be dominated by a few large players, and exhibit low levels of innovation. The paper argues that there is a need to evolve the regulatory framework for branchless banking from one that enables participation by banks and telcos to one that fosters competition by a broader range of players. Regulations on e-money issuers, retail agents and account opening need to be recast so as to reduce the cost of entry and give much more scope for service and business model innovation. In addition, there is a growing need for policymakers to ensure there is a level playing field across all players, and that mobile operators do not exploit their dominance in the mobile communications market to gain advantage in the new market for mobile financial services.

Keywords: Financial Access, Financial Inclusion, Mobile Banking, Electronic Money, Branchless Banking, ICT For Development

Suggested Citation

Mas, Ignacio, Shifting Branchless Banking Regulation from Enabling to Fostering Competition (June 29, 2014). Banking & Finance Law Review, Vol. 30, No. 2, April 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1692164 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1692164

Ignacio Mas (Contact Author)

Tufts University ( email )

Medford, MA 02155
United States

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