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Adoption And Non-Adoption Of Mainstream Formal Banking Systems Amongst Low Income Earners In South Africa, Zambia And Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Mavhungu Abel Mafukata

    (Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa)

  • Grace Kancheya

    (Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa)

  • Willie Dhlandhlara

    (Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa)

Abstract

The majority of income earners of small-scale informal economic sectors in most developing regions abstain from mainstream formal banking systems. These income earners rather “bank” informally. Mainstream formal banking institutions also argue thatlow income earners are “unbankable” and posed business risk. However, emerging literature posits that low income earners would instead provide a profitable formal niche market. Trends with regard adoption and non-adoption of mainstream formal banking systems amongst small income groups were mixed. This paper investigates such patterns in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The results of this paper revealed that the informal cross-border traders who trade between Zambia and South Africa were good adopters of mainstream formal banking. The results however found a sharp contrast in Zambia. In Nyanga, Zimbabwe, the results of this paper revealed that there were a few respondents who had adopted mainstream formal banking while 47.2% of communal cattle farmers in South Africa had adopted mainstream formal banking systems through savings against 52.8% who were left out. Adoption or non-adoption of mainstream formal banking systems patterns vary from region to region, and sector to sector even where income earners were almost equals in terms of household income earnings. Mobile banking and low transaction costs might provide motivation for small-scale income earners to adopt mainstream formal banking.

Suggested Citation

  • Mavhungu Abel Mafukata & Grace Kancheya & Willie Dhlandhlara, 2015. "Adoption And Non-Adoption Of Mainstream Formal Banking Systems Amongst Low Income Earners In South Africa, Zambia And Zimbabwe," International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 4(1), pages 37-50, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijfbss:v:4:y:2015:i:1:p:37-50
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emily Chamlee-Wright, 2005. "Entrepreneurial Response to “Bottom-up” Development Strategies in Zimbabwe," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 18(1), pages 5-28, January.
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