Scholars Bulletin (SB)
Volume-8 | Issue-06 | 180-188
Subject Category: Marketing
Does Agency Banking Trigger Financial Inclusion? Perspective of Residents in Rural Setting
Edwin Chukwuemeka Idoko, Marcellus Amaechi Chukwu
Published : June 12, 2022
Abstract
Over decades, most transactions in Nigeria were largely conducted in cash. However, Central Bank of Nigeria’s cash-less policy introduction aimed at reducing cash-based transactions, decreasing and integrating financially excluded adult into the formal financial sector of the economy has altered financial transaction landscape. Pursuant to this goal of financial inclusion, measures such as agency banking, national financial literacy, mobile payment system were introduced. However, research has somewhat under-explored how agency banking platforms influence financial inclusion among adult rural dwellers that are perceived to be more excluded in formal financial sector. Therefore, this study empirically investigates influence of agency banking on financial inclusion among adult rural dwellers in rural communities. A sample of 320 potential respondents were determined statistically. Self-administered questionnaire designed in Likert-Scale format was used to collect data from respondents. Convenience and judgemental sampling techniques were used to recruit participants who agreed to take part in the study. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling technique was applied in data analysis. Results show that agency banking has positive-significant correlation with saving consciousness and financial literacy; saving consciousness and financial literacy significantly and positively influence financial inclusion. The study discusses the theoretical, policy and managerial implications of the findings while highlighting possible areas for future research.