What is financial inclusion? Why access to accounts and payments matters

By SendPay Business · · 2 min read

What is financial inclusion? Why access to accounts and payments matters

Financial inclusion means everyone, people and small businesses alike, having access to useful, affordable financial services: an account, a way to pay and get paid, savings, credit and insurance. The World Bank's 2021 Global Findex survey found around 1.4 billion adults still had no account at a bank or mobile money provider.

What holds people backWhat's changingWhy it matters

What holds people back

  1. Not having the ID or proof of address that providers ask for.
  2. Living far from a bank branch.
  3. Fees that are too high for small balances.
  4. Low trust in banks, or not seeing a need.

What's changing

Mobile money, agent networks and phone-based accounts have brought millions of people into the financial system, especially in parts of Africa and Asia. Simpler identity checks and digital IDs have also helped.

Why it matters

An account makes it easier to get paid, save safely, receive money from family and build a record that can open doors to other services. For small businesses it means being able to take digital payments and grow.

Where SendPay fits

SendPay lets you launch your own money app under your brand, with GBP, EUR and USD accounts, transfers, branded Visa cards, payment links, invoices and subscriptions, powered by licensed partners. SendPay isn't a bank and doesn't offer lending.

Build it

Create your own financial platform.

Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.

Build my platform →

Questions people ask

How much float does an agent need?

Work out cash, e-float and commission with the free calculator.

Agent banking float calculator →
What is mobile money?

Money stored and sent using a mobile phone account.

Mobile money →
What is agent banking?

Local shops acting as cash-in and cash-out points for a provider.

Agent banking →
What is microfinance?

Small financial services for people banks often overlook.

Microfinance →

Read next

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.