SPECIAL REPORT: On Financial Stability, Inclusion, Exclusion and “Big Mistakes”

Timothy Lyman of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) discussed the interactions among financial inclusion, financial stability, financial integrity (anti-crime) and consumer protection (I-SIP). Referring to previous work by the International Monetary Fund, he said the idea that financial inclusion supports the other three long-term and vice versa is supported by a growing body of research. On the other hand, the message is decidedly not that financial inclusion equals stability. The reality is highly nuanced. Adalbert Winkler of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management shared his research, which also revealed mixed signals regarding whether financial inclusion supports financial stability.