FROM CASH TO CLICKS: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF FINTECH IN ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION – A CASE STUDY OF THE KDMC REGION

This study examines the role of FinTech-enabled banking in promoting financial inclusion among self-help groups (SHGs), women, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while also comparing digital investment and infrastructure across private, cooperative, and rural/development banks in the KDMC region.

This study uses a mixed-method approach, the research combines secondary data from RBI, KDMC, NABARD, SBI, Deloitte, and budgets with primary survey responses from residents and bank users. Findings reveal that while UPI and mobile banking adoption is broad, awareness of SME and SHG-targeted schemes remains limited, specifically among low-income participants.

Private banks demonstrate higher satisfaction and trust in digital services, in contrast to cooperative and government banks face challenges with infrastructure dependability and customer confidence. The study identifies both inclusion gaps and structural inequalities, providing findings for banking institutions and policymakers to enhance digital expansions and ensure equal financial growth.