Banking on resilience: building capacities through financial services inclusion

Abstract

This BRACED policy brief, written with Acclimatise, looks at experiences in Mali, Ethiopia and Myanmar in helping to build resilience to climate extremes and disasters through increased financial inclusion. Key policy messages are: Financial services inclusion helps build climate resilience and nontraditional financial services are better able to reach the most vulnerable, but action is needed on the demand and the supply side. A more transparent regulatory framework for these services can help promote inclusion and growth in the sector (and so competition and flexibility), alongside protection for users and improved physical access for the most vulnerable. Support to service providers is needed to build capacity, financial literacy and trust of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the banking system. This policy brief is supported by the BRACED working paper Climate resilience and financial services: Lessons from Ethiopia, Mali and Myanmar