5-point checklist to build a robust financial inclusion model

Summary

More than a third of the world's adult population still lacks access to basic banking services, and the gap is especially pronounced across parts of the Asia Pacific, where entire countries remain largely unbanked despite near-universal access in markets like Singapore and Japan. Banks can build systematic financial inclusion strategies that serve underserved rural, low-income, and small-enterprise segments through several proven approaches.

Five distinct delivery models stand out for extending reach: agent banking networks that deputize trusted local representatives to handle deposits and withdrawals, self-service banking kiosks that cut infrastructure costs in remote areas, dedicated mobile banking applications built for smartphone-first rural populations, digital lending mechanisms designed to compete with collateral-free fintech offerings, and digital wallets that cultivate small-scale savings habits.

Each model draws on real-world learning examples from banks across the region, including agent banking networks in Indonesia, kiosk-based customer service points in India, a dedicated mobile app in Bangladesh, collateral-free lending in Bangladesh's microfinance sector, and structured savings tools in Indonesia, illustrating how each approach solves a distinct barrier around awareness, accessibility, literacy, or trust.

These delivery models connect to the broader business case for banks: expanding market share, growing loan portfolios, and building long-term customer relationships while advancing awareness, accessibility, sustainability, financial literacy, and financial planning among underserved populations.

Which delivery model, agent networks, kiosks, mobile apps, digital lending, or digital wallets, best closes the financial inclusion gap for a given underserved segment?