Title: Role of mobile banking in financial inclusion: evidence from agri traders of India

Authors: Sonal Raina Tikku; Anjani K. Singh

Addresses: Amity Business School, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida (U.P.), India ' Amity Business School, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida (U.P.), India

Abstract: Financial inclusion is the driving force for growth in emerging markets of the world. It boosts the process of development and poverty alleviation for any economy. Most of the banks utilise an expensive brick and mortar model; therefore, mobile banking can act as a facilitator for financial inclusion in economic manner. This study identifies the factors effecting adoption of mobile banking among agri traders in wholesale commodity markets of India. It also explores the challenges faced by them, in mobile banking adoption. Structured questionnaires were used for primary data collection and the sample of 230 agri traders was analysed. Confirmatory factor analysis was done using SPSS 26 and for structural equation modelling Smart PLS3 was used. Empirical results of research show that perceived usefulness, ease of use and trust have significant and positive impact on behavioural intention towards mobile banking adoption among agri trader community of India. Social influence had no significant impact on behavioural intentions of the agri trader. Adoption of mobile banking by agri traders will pave the way forward for digital transformation of economy, leading to cashless economy and financial inclusion at grass root levels of society.

Keywords: agri traders; behavioural intention; cashless economy; digitalisation; financial inclusion; financial literacy; India; mobile banking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEF.2023.127898

International Journal of Electronic Finance, 2023 Vol.12 No.1, pp.36 - 54

Received: 13 Dec 2021
Accepted: 12 Jun 2022
Published online: 21 Dec 2022 *