Digital Money and Remittances Costs in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Digital Money and Remittances Costs in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic PDF Author: Ms. Alina Carare
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
This paper investigates factors that predict variation in digital and non-digital remittance fees over time and across countries, exploring differences between CAPDR and other regions. The paper fills a void in the literature on how country- and corridor-specific factors relate to remittance fees at different levels of digitalization of the transaction mode. It also complements stylized facts and regression analysis with a survey analysis of the CAPDR authorities’ views on the latest developments, possibilities, and risks related to digital remittances with a view to gauging the authorities’ potential role in further reducing the cost of cross-border payments more generally and remittances fees in particular. The paper finds a clear trend of declining remittance fees across countries and at any level of digitalization, albeit they remain higher for CAPDR countries relative to non-CAPDR countries. More competition, financial and digital development in receiving countries—such as debit/credit card ownership or bank branch penetration—are associated with lower remittance fees, especially in CAPDR. The surveyed authorities actively explore the use of digital money to advance domestic payment systems, expedite financial inclusion, and lower remittances fees, yet see considerable risks, especially for preserving monetary sovereignty in CAPDR.

Digital Money and Remittances Costs in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Digital Money and Remittances Costs in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic PDF Author: Ms. Alina Carare
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 29

Get Book

Book Description
This paper investigates factors that predict variation in digital and non-digital remittance fees over time and across countries, exploring differences between CAPDR and other regions. The paper fills a void in the literature on how country- and corridor-specific factors relate to remittance fees at different levels of digitalization of the transaction mode. It also complements stylized facts and regression analysis with a survey analysis of the CAPDR authorities’ views on the latest developments, possibilities, and risks related to digital remittances with a view to gauging the authorities’ potential role in further reducing the cost of cross-border payments more generally and remittances fees in particular. The paper finds a clear trend of declining remittance fees across countries and at any level of digitalization, albeit they remain higher for CAPDR countries relative to non-CAPDR countries. More competition, financial and digital development in receiving countries—such as debit/credit card ownership or bank branch penetration—are associated with lower remittance fees, especially in CAPDR. The surveyed authorities actively explore the use of digital money to advance domestic payment systems, expedite financial inclusion, and lower remittances fees, yet see considerable risks, especially for preserving monetary sovereignty in CAPDR.

Fintech Potential for Remittance Transfers: A Central America Perspective

Fintech Potential for Remittance Transfers: A Central America Perspective PDF Author: Julia Bersch
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513585428
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
This paper analyzes the potential for fintech to facilitate cheaper and more efficient remittances, and to enhance financial inclusion in Central America. Digital remittances remain nascent in the region, primarily reflecting behavioral inertia, small cost advantages of digital over traditional channels, and inadequate financial literacy. Through expanded alliances between traditional and fintech operators, digital remittances can further reduce transaction costs and reach those remote, low-income households in a timely and secure manner. A meaningful expansion of fintech remittances necessitates an enabling regulatory environment for digital financial services, and KYC and AML/CFT requirements proportionate to the value of transfers.

The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America

The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America PDF Author: Mr. Bas B. Bakker
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 61

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Book Description
In the past decade, fintech has shaken up the financial sector in Latin America providing innovations in lending, payments, insurance, and regulation and compliance. This paper examines this development by focusing on both fintech services and regulation. Exploring fintech’s macro-critical impact using country- and bank-level data, we find that booming financial technologies in Latin America have helped boost competition in the banking sector and inclusion. Additionally, we demonstrate that fintech firms in Latin America experienced robust growth even during the pandemic supported by external funding. Finally, we discuss how regulators are addressing the risks associated with financial technologies and how they are leveraging fintech tools in their supervisory activities.

Crypto Assets and CBDCs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Risks

Crypto Assets and CBDCs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Risks PDF Author: Maximiliano Appendino
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description
After providing a general overview of the nature, pros, and cons of crypto assets and CBDCs, this paper focuses on documenting their recent experience in LAC. The region records a high interest in unbacked crypto assets and stablecoins and its authorities’ policy responses have varied substantially, ranging from the introduction of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador to their prohibition in many other countries worried about their impact on financial stability, currency/asset substitution, tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering. This paper also describes briefly the results of a survey on CBDCs’ introduction plans and crypto assets regulation. Finally, this paper presents some general lessons and policy recommendations for the region on the regulation of cypto assets, digital currencies and cross-border payments, and on the potential introduction of CBDCs.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 113

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Book Description
The Nicaraguan economy remained resilient through multiple shocks over the past five years, supported by appropriate policies, substantial pre-crisis buffers (primarily government deposits), and multilaterals support. After a strong rebound in 2021, the economy continued to grow at a steady pace in 2022 and through June 2023 (3.8 percent). Inflation slowed down, the fiscal position turned into a surplus, and record-high remittances, sustained Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and prudent policies supported a continued accumulation of gross international reserves. Banks remain well capitalized, and the loan portfolio is steadily improving with the economic recovery.

Exploring Global FinTech Advancement and Applications

Exploring Global FinTech Advancement and Applications PDF Author: Taherdoost, Hamed
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
In the world of FinTech, scholars face an overwhelming dilemma; it is challenging to access comprehensive and up-to-date information across various regions with regards to timeliness. The transformative power of FinTech, driven by innovations such as blockchain, AI analytics, and mobile payment systems, has reshaped financial transactions, influenced economic growth, and spurred competition among traditional financial institutions. However, the lack of a comprehensive, scholarly resource hinders the ability of academics, policymakers, and industry professionals to navigate and comprehend these intricate developments. The need for a centralized repository of knowledge has become increasingly urgent, hindering the collective understanding of the complex dynamics of FinTech on a global scale. Exploring Global FinTech Advancement and Applications stands as a groundbreaking solution to the academic community's pressing need for a comprehensive understanding of this global financial landscape. Through meticulous assessments of countries across each global region, each chapter delves into market size, FinTech adoption rates, services offered, key players, investments, infrastructure, government policies, economic impacts, security concerns, academic research synthesis, and future trends. By consolidating this wealth of information, the book becomes an indispensable reference guide for scholars, researchers, policymakers, investors, and industry professionals seeking to navigate the intricate dynamics of FinTech on a global scale.

Elements of Effective Policies for Crypto Assets

Elements of Effective Policies for Crypto Assets PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
This paper aims to address questions by Fund members on how to respond to the rise of crypto assets and the associated risks. To frame the discussion, the paper defines and classifies crypto assets based on their underlying features and describes their purported benefits and potential risks. The paper presents a policy framework for crypto assets that aims to achieve key policy objectives such as macroeconomic stability, financial stability, consumer protection, and market and financial integrity. The framework outlines key elements that are necessary to ensure that these objectives are met. However, such a framework will not fix any underlying crypto design flaws (for instance, the lack of a credible nominal anchor, payments finality, or scalability).

The Global Findex Database 2017

The Global Findex Database 2017 PDF Author: Asli Demirguc-Kunt
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464812683
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
In 2011 the World Bank—with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—launched the Global Findex database, the world's most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. Drawing on survey data collected in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., the Global Findex database covers more than 140 economies around the world. The initial survey round was followed by a second one in 2014 and by a third in 2017. Compiled using nationally representative surveys of more than 150,000 adults age 15 and above in over 140 economies, The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and the Fintech Revolution includes updated indicators on access to and use of formal and informal financial services. It has additional data on the use of financial technology (or fintech), including the use of mobile phones and the Internet to conduct financial transactions. The data reveal opportunities to expand access to financial services among people who do not have an account—the unbanked—as well as to promote greater use of digital financial services among those who do have an account. The Global Findex database has become a mainstay of global efforts to promote financial inclusion. In addition to being widely cited by scholars and development practitioners, Global Findex data are used to track progress toward the World Bank goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The database, the full text of the report, and the underlying country-level data for all figures—along with the questionnaire, the survey methodology, and other relevant materials—are available at www.worldbank.org/globalfindex.

Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean

Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Mr. Dmitry Gershenson
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513592238
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 77

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Book Description
Despite some improvement since 2011, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag behind other regions in terms of financial inclusion. There is no clear evidence that fintech developments have supported greater financial inclusion in LAC, contrary to what has been observed elsewhere in the world. Case studies by national policy experts suggest that barriers to entry in the financial sector, along with a constraining regulatory environment, may have hindered a faster adoption of fintech. However, fintech development seems to have accelerated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the support of recent policy initiatives.

Remittances and Development

Remittances and Development PDF Author: Pablo Fajnzylber
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821368718
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
Workers' remittances have become a major source of financing for developing countries and are especially important in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is at the top of the ranking of remittance receiving regions in the world. While there has been a recent surge in analytical work on the topic, this book is motivated by the large heterogeneity in migration and remittance patterns across countries and regions, and by the fact that existing evidence for Latin America and the Caribbean is restricted to only a few countries, such as Mexico and El Salvador. Because the nature of the phenomenon varies across countries, its development impact and policy implications are also likely to differ in ways that are still largely unknown. This book helps fill the gap by exploring, in the specific context of Latin America and Caribbean countries, some of the main questions faced by policymakers when trying to respond to increasing remittances flows. The book relies on cross-country panel data and household surveys for 11 Latin American countries to explore the development impact of remittance flows along several dimensions: growth, poverty, inequality, schooling, health, labor supply, financial development, and real exchange rates.