Improving Access to Banking: Evidence from Kenya

Franklin Allen, Elena Carletti, Robert Cull, Jun QJ Qian, Lemma Senbet and Patricio Valenzuela

No 18104, BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers from BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy

Abstract: We explore the relationship between bank branch expansion, financial inclusion and profitability for Equity Bank. Unlike traditional banks in Kenya, Equity Bank pursues branching strategies that target underserved territories and less privileged households. Its presence has a positive and significant impact on households’ access to bank accounts and credit. It increased financial inclusion by 31 percent of the adult population between 2006 and 2015. Access is especially improved for Kenyans who are less educated, do not own their own home and live in lessdeveloped areas. Equity Bank’s business model proves to be profitable both at bank and branch level.

Keywords: Equity Bank; bank penetration; bank account; microfinance. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G2 O1 R2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58
Date: 2018
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ban, nep-fle, nep-mfd and nep-pay
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://repec.unibocconi.it/baffic/baf/papers/cbafwp18104.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Improving Access to Banking: Evidence from Kenya* (2021)
Working Paper: Improving Access to Banking: Evidence from Kenya (2014)
Working Paper: Improving Access to Banking: Evidence from Kenya (2013)
Working Paper: Improving access to banking: evidence from Kenya (2013)
Working Paper: Improving Access to Banking: Evidence from Kenya (2012)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:baf:cbafwp:cbafwp18104

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers from BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy Via Röntgen, 1 - 20136 Milano - Italy. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Michela Pozzi ().