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Agent banking in a highly under-developed financial sector : evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Author

Listed:
  • Cull,Robert J.
  • Gine,Xavier
  • Harten,Sven
  • Rusu,Anca Bogdana

Abstract

The paper provides evidence on the number and volume of financial transactions undertaken by agents (local businesses that double as more convenient, lower cost alternatives to formal branches) of the largest microfinance institution operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More important than agents? personal characteristics, transactions are higher in low-income, densely populated areas with high levels of commercial development. This finding suggests that the agent network has been best at supporting financial transactions among the urban poor. In addition, branding and effective liquidity management are strongly linked to agent activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Cull,Robert J. & Gine,Xavier & Harten,Sven & Rusu,Anca Bogdana, 2017. "Agent banking in a highly under-developed financial sector : evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7984, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7984
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    Cited by:

    1. Md. Imran Hossain & Md. Al-Amin & Md Abu Toha, 2021. "Are Commercial Agent Banking Services Worthwhile For Financial Inclusion?," Business Management and Strategy, Macrothink Institute, vol. 12(2), pages 206-227, December.
    2. Chamboko, Richard & Cull, Robert & Giné, Xavier & Heitmann, Soren & Reitzug, Fabian & Westhuizen, Morne Van Der, 2021. "The role of gender in agent banking: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    3. Carolina Mattsson, 2019. "Networks of monetary flow at native resolution," Papers 1910.05596, arXiv.org.
    4. Johnen, Constantin & Musshoff, Oliver & Parlasca, Martin C., 2022. "Mobile Money Adoption in Kenya: The Role of Mobile Money Agents," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322294, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Gupta, Sanal & Singh, Puran, 2023. "What drives activity of banking agents? Evidence from Rural India," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    6. Johnen, Constantin & Parlasca, Martin & Mußhoff, Oliver, 2023. "Mobile money adoption in Kenya: The role of mobile money agents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    7. Bahati Sanga & Meshach Aziakpono, 2022. "The impact of technological innovations on financial deepening: Implications for SME financing in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(4), pages 429-442, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microfinance; Rural Microfinance and SMEs;

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other

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