Women in Fintech: As Leaders and Users

Author/Editor:

Purva Khera ; Sumiko Ogawa ; Ratna Sahay ; Mahima Vasishth

Publication Date:

July 15, 2022

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

While digital financial services have made access to finance easier, faster, and less costly, helping to broaden digital financial inclusion, its impact on gender gaps varies across countries. Moreover, women leaders in the fintech industry, although growing, remain scarce. This paper explores the interaction between ‘women’ and ‘fintech’ by examining: (i) the role of women leaders on firm-level performance in the fintech industry; and (ii) the determinants of gender gaps in the usage of digital services to better understand the cross-country differences. Results indicate that greater gender diversity in the executive board is associated with better performance of fintech firms.With regard to determinants of the gender gaps in the usage of digital financial services, we find that higher financial and digital literacy of women is associated with lower gender gaps in digital financial inclusion, and that socio-cultural factors also play a key role.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2022/140

Subject:

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

July 15, 2022

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400215384/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2022140

Pages:

30

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