Was Digitalization Effective in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in the EU-27 During the COVID–19 Pandemic?

Hassan M. K., BAYAT T., YÜZBAŞI B., Kayhan S.

Eastern European Economics, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00128775.2025.2546468
  • Dergi Adı: Eastern European Economics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, ABI/INFORM, American Bibliography of Slavic & Eastern European Studies (ABSEES), Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, EconLit, Geobase, PAIS International, Public Affairs Index
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19 pandemic, digital financialization, EU-27, financial inclusion, GTWR
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study examines the potential impact of digitalization on financial inclusion in EU-27 countries, utilizing a geographically and temporally weighted regression method. The primary motivation of this study is to determine whether financial digitalization is effective in including people in the financial system during and after the pandemic in the European Union. Results show that financial digitalization is effective in including people into the financial system at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the impact of digitalization is small. Findings may be necessary for determining financial system policies and investments in fintech infrastructure in European countries to achieve a more inclusive financial system.