The role of financial technology to increase financial inclusion in Indonesia

Abstract

The growth of digital technologies has changed the way of doing financial transactions. Even though the transaction value for financial technology in 2018 grew by 24%, the financial inclusion rate in Indonesia is still low, with 64% unbanked. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors of the growing digital technology that influence customer decisions in choosing financial technology services using customer knowledge as the intervening variable. The growing digital technology is measured using social networking, regulatory services, and financial service facilities variables. The sample of this research focused on the microsegment customers located in Java Island. Statistical data are analyzed using Algorithm PLS. Results show that customer decision in choosing financial technology services was strongly influenced by customer knowledge. Customer knowledge was formed from information gathered from the social network, the formal assurance by the government, the financial service facilities, and financial inclusivity. The study recommends a need to educate, promote, and provide adequate information to increase familiarity and literacy rate with regard to financial technology. The study also recommends an urgent clear government regulation to protect the interests of customers and industries.