International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies

Financial inclusion, especially the adoption of fintech, has emerged as a crucial avenue for removing the financial access divides in developing countries, including Bangladesh. Following the comprehensive analysis, this article intends to outline Bangladesh's recent experiences with fintech-based financial inclusion, identify the short-comings and hence make policy suggestions. Being a descriptive research, cross-sectional and observational research approaches are applied for the explanatory analysis of secondary data. Results suggest an urban-rural gap in the implementation of digital financial services, with urban areas consistently having higher rates of fully online branches and a greater number of financial machines. Despite this, the sharp rise in the issuance of active cards is a positive sign suggesting an expansion of consumer base and an adoption of electronic modes of payment. Moreover, inter-bank electronic fund transfers and online banking have experienced increasing uptake, revealing a progressing trend towards digital transactions within the banking industry. Additionally, the study identifies a speedy growth in the number of mobile financial services accounts in both urban and rural areas. This study adds to the exchange of ideas regarding financial inclusion by carrying out a detailed study of Bangladesh's digital financial transformation, exemplifying the accomplishments, obstacles, and future research directions. It highlights the need for targeted policies and ongoing research efforts to build inclusive financial systems to serve the entire society’s interest. Nevertheless, the observations will have both theoretical and practical significance, contributing towards building capability in harnessing technology for sustainability, community uplifting, and shaping a brighter future.  

This paper aims to examine the financial performance of Bangladeshi listed commercial banks. The study analyzed the financial performances of banks categorized into three generations—first, second, and third—based on their year of commencement of operations in the country. The data of a total of 24 banks, 8 from each generation, listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), has been collected from audited financial statements for the time period of 13 years, from 2010 to 2022. Data has been analyzed using different ratios of profitability, liquidity, capital adequacy, operational efficiency, and credit risk. The ANOVA test also has been used to make a comparison of profitability—the return on assets (ROA), and return on equity (ROE) of the banks of different generations. According to the results, the average profitability ratios in terms of ROA, and ROE of the second-generation banks showed their credibility than banks of other generations; while first generation banks kept higher liquidity, and capital adequacy with higher credit risk than the banks of other generations. The first-generation banks also showed a lower cost-expense ratio, and a higher efficiency in terms of operation, than the banks in the second and third generations. The research also discovered that the profitability of banks of different generations significantly varies from one another.  

In Indonesia, a QR code payment is referred to as QRIS (Quick Respond Code Indonesian Standard). QR code technology is employed by QRIS, a contemporary payment system, to establish connections between a variety of financial transactions. QRIS offers numerous advantages to businesses, including the ability to obtain numerous promotions, the automated recording of transactions, the ability to track financial income and expenses, and the elimination of the need to search for change. Regrettably, the low level of digital literacy in Indonesia has prevented certain individuals from adopting digital transactions. Consequently, policymakers and regulators will be able to make more informed decisions regarding the expansion of QRIS in Indonesia by gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the perceptions of utility and perceived ease of use among Indonesian users. This research involves individuals who have implemented QRIS. The sample size in this study was sufficient due to the use of PLS-SEM, a powerful multivariate analysis technique that is recognized for its statistical efficacy in small sample sizes. The study explores the behavioral intention to use QRIS among Indonesian users, emphasizing perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use while incorporating control variables such as age, experience, gender, income, and education. The analysis results indicate that perceived usefulness has a substantial impact on the behavior intention of QRIS, and perceived ease of use also has an impact on the behavior intention of using QRIS. Education and income were found to have no significant difference in relation to behavior intention of using QRIS, whereas age, experience, gender, and age were associated with a significant difference.

Kenya has historically been one of Africa's top destinations for foreign direct investment. Foreign direct investment is critical for Kenya's agricultural sector, offering capital, technology transfer, and skill development that enhance productivity and economic growth. Despite agriculture being a primary economic driver, challenges such as limited capital, outdated farming techniques, and insufficient infrastructure continue to hinder growth. The research explores the contribution of foreign direct investment on agricultural productivity in Kenya as well as to assess the effect of foreign direct investment on the productivity levels of small-scale and large-scale farmers in Kenya for a period 1993 to 2022. Neoclassical growth theory, Endogenous theory were key in guiding the study. This study adapted the causal research design employing time series data from World Bank spanning from years 1993 to 2022. Data was analyzed the data both descriptively and by inferential statistics. The findings of correlational analysis revealed a moderate positive relationships (r= 0.3213) between Foreign direct investment and agricultural productivity. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the significant positive effect of foreign direct investment on agricultural productivity with a coefficient of 0.3661 and p value 0.0014<0.05. This signifies that, in the short term, a 1% increase in foreign direct investment results in a 36.61% rise in the growth of Agricultural productivity, assuming all other variables remain constant. The findings implied that foreign direct investment inflow has the ability to create employment, technological development and improve access to international markets playing a pivotal role in accelerating the agricultural productivity. The Kenyan government should have more effective foreign direct investment strategies to facilitate technology transfer agreements between foreign investors and local agricultural enterprises, additionally, the government should pursue macroeconomic policies that attract foreign direct investment by providing an investor-friendly environment. 

This study aims to resolve the inconsistencies in prior research regarding the effects of capital structure, firm size, and good corporate governance (GCG) on company value. Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the relationship between financial performance and company value, offering new insights into this dynamic interaction. This study utilizes a saturated sample or census approach, including all population members, due to the small population size and the researcher's ability to access the required data. Data from 71 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) between 2018 and 2022 were obtained from their financial statements and annual reports. A quantitative analysis was conducted using Partial Least Square (PLS) regression with the SmartPLS 4.0 software. The results indicate that capital structure, company size, and GCG significantly impact financial performance. Additionally, capital structure was found to significantly affect company value, while company size and GCG did not. Financial performance significantly influenced company value, but CSR did not directly affect company value and did not moderate the relationship between financial performance and company value. 

In Indonesia, a QR code payment is referred to as QRIS (Quick Respond Code Indonesian Standard). QR code technology is employed by QRIS, a contemporary payment system, to establish connections between a variety of financial transactions. QRIS offers numerous advantages to businesses, including the ability to obtain numerous promotions, the automated recording of transactions, the ability to track financial income and expenses, and the elimination of the need to search for change. Regrettably, the low level of digital literacy in Indonesia has prevented certain individuals from adopting digital transactions. Consequently, policymakers and regulators will be able to make more informed decisions regarding the expansion of QRIS in Indonesia by gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the perceptions of utility and perceived ease of use among Indonesian users. This research involves individuals who have implemented QRIS. The sample size in this study was sufficient due to the use of PLS-SEM, a powerful multivariate analysis technique that is recognized for its statistical efficacy in small sample sizes. The study explores the behavioral intention to use QRIS among Indonesian users, emphasizing perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use while incorporating control variables such as age, experience, gender, income, and education. The analysis results indicate that perceived usefulness has a substantial impact on the behavior intention of QRIS, and perceived ease of use also has an impact on the behavior intention of using QRIS. Education and income were found to have no significant difference in relation to behavior intention of using QRIS, whereas age, experience, gender, and age were associated with a significant difference.

This paper investigates the factors that form bank risks in Bangladeshi state-owned banks. As a representation of bank risk, non-performing loans have been considered the dependent variable for this study. The relevant data have been extracted from six state-owned banks in Bangladesh from 2013 to 2022. The final dataset consists of 60 firm-year observations. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression with robust standard errors model is utilized to find the relationship of bank risks with determinants like asset size, efficiency, liquidity, profitability, leverage ratio, capital adequacy ratio, and loan to asset ratio. The findings say that bank size and loan-to-asset ratio have a highly significant positive relationship with bank risk, whereas profitability, capital adequacy ratio, and bank efficiency have a significant negative association with bank risk. On the other hand, leverage and liquidity are negatively and positively correlated with no statistical significance. To check the study's robustness, another proxy of bank risk, loan loss provision has been used and the results are almost similar. State-owned banks operate in every economy with a different mindset than the general commercial banks. Hence, policymakers should take necessary initiatives based on this study to bring down the high bank risks in state-owned banks in Bangladesh.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to examine the banking preferences of Kuwaiti university students, their preferences between Islamic and conventional, the reasons supporting their choice and, as a measure of satisfaction, the likelihood of them recommending their bank to their friends and family. Design/methodology/approach: We conduct a short survey among undergraduates using a 4-item paper questionnaire physically distributed and collected at a Kuwaiti business school. The large response (n= 503) is analysed and descriptive statistics used to present the results Findings: Results indicate a majority prefer Islamic banking and that the main reason for this is their religion. Those students who opted for conventional banks gave social reasons such as recommendation for their choice. A higher level of satisfaction was recorded for Islamic banking customers. We conclude that Islamic banks have managed to match their ethical and religious appeal with the delivery of efficient and convenient banking services that are valued by the student segment. Practical Implications: Our results are of interest to those offering retail banking services in binary markets where conventional banks compete with Islamic banks in addition to researchers in this domain. For Islamic banks, the significance of maintaining a strong reputation with the underpinning of robust Shariah principles is emphasized. Originality: The paper contributes fresh understanding to the acceptance of and satisfaction with Islamic banks and their products and services among a strategically important segment. It provides evidence suggesting a bright future for Islamic banking in Kuwait and the wider Gulf region.

This study analyses the impact of external debt on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya for the period 2008-2022. Employing descriptive, correlational, and inferential research designs, the study reviewed data from the Central Bank of Kenya, the World Bank, KNBS, and IMF on a quarterly basis. By employing the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, ROE and external debt were further qualified to be stationary at first difference. The results highlighted by the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) analysis indicated a statistically significant negative relationship between external debt and financial performance; the coefficients (-0.8998) confirmed that for every unit of increase in external debt, there would be a decline in ROE by 0.8998 units. The study establishes that external debt has been detrimental to the financial health of Kenyan banks due to the economic pressure it brings to the sector. For this purpose, it suggests that the government should avoid borrowing from external sources, and it has advised the development of measures that encourage overseas investors to invest in the country's banking sector. The policy of attracting FDI can enhance capital availability and alleviate the financial load on banking institutions. Relaxing regulations that restrict foreign investors would pave the way for this and help increase the bank’s performance, thus enhancing long-term economic growth.

This study aims to resolve the inconsistencies in prior research regarding the effects of capital structure, firm size, and good corporate governance (GCG) on company value. Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the relationship between financial performance and company value, offering new insights into this dynamic interaction. This study utilizes a saturated sample or census approach, including all population members, due to the small population size and the researcher's ability to access the required data. Data from 71 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) between 2018 and 2022 were obtained from their financial statements and annual reports. A quantitative analysis was conducted using Partial Least Square (PLS) regression with the SmartPLS 4.0 software. The results indicate that capital structure, company size, and GCG significantly impact financial performance. Additionally, capital structure was found to significantly affect company value, while company size and GCG did not. Financial performance significantly influenced company value, but CSR did not directly affect company value and did not moderate the relationship between financial performance and company value.