Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion is the provision of basic financial services (savings, payments, money transfers, insurance, credit) to people without access to such services.

Some 1.5 billion people worldwide are already using the financial services provided by Posts. The postal sector is therefore the second largest contributor to financial inclusion worldwide, behind banks but far ahead of microfinance institutions or mobile phone operators.

The UPU helps its member countries to introduce or develop inclusive and sustainable financial services. As an information and technical assistance platform for the postal sector, the UPU is an ideal partner for lending institutions and donors in the effort to make postal financial services accessible to the most disadvantaged populations.

Technical assistance

The UPU also provides its member countries with technical assistance to improve their contribution to financial inclusion at the national level. With support from Visa Inc. and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UPU has been able to establish a new Financial Inclusion Technical Assistance Facility (FITAF) to champion postal action on inclusive digital financial services, conduct research to identify key actions, and provide qualifying Posts with technical assistance to improve and expand their capabilities. Check out the “FITAF” section for more information.

Research

The UPU works with its members and various international organizations to better understand the contribution of postal networks to financial inclusion. The UPU’s financial inclusion research includes collaboration with the World Bank, UN Women, the International Telecommunication Union and the International Labour Organization.  

In Post We Trust - Role of the Post in expanding access to digital finance

In Post We Trust - Role of the Post in expanding access to digital finance

11/30/2019 — The UPU’s Financial Inclusion Technical Assistance Facility (FITAF) is undertaking a series of studies to investigate the role played by these factors in the uptake of inclusive financial services. In the first study of the series, we explore a key factor that helps Posts to attract, retain and grow their customer base – trust in the Post .
Potential use cases of cryptocurrencies by Posts – A White Paper on Postal Financial Inclusion

Potential use cases of cryptocurrencies by Posts – A White Paper on Postal Financial Inclusion

4/1/2019 — Universal Postal Union (UPU) is examining the role that distributed ledger technology (DLT), blockchain, and cryptocurrencies can play in the postal industry, as well as the role of the UPU and its members in enabling efficient delivery of services.
Digital financial services glossary

Digital financial services glossary

1/1/2017 — The UPU and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have prepared this Digital Financial Services (DFS) Glossary, which is a compilation of some 140 terms commonly used in the area of DFS.
Global Panorama on Postal Financial Inclusion 2016

Global Panorama on Postal Financial Inclusion 2016

8/1/2016 — This study, released at the occasion of the Istanbul Congress, presents the current status of postal financial inclusion at the global level. It shows the key role postal networks can play to advance financial inclusion and highlights the importance for postal stakeholders to commit to the digitization of their financial
Advancing financial inclusion through access to insurance: the role of postal networks

Advancing financial inclusion through access to insurance: the role of postal networks

1/1/2016 — In collaboration with the International Labour Organization, the UPU published in 2016 this study which analyses the potential of postal networks to become well-suited providers of insurance. The report presents three types of business models in which postal insurance can help advancing financial inclusion through insurance access.
Gender and financial inclusion through the Post

Gender and financial inclusion through the Post

6/1/2015 — Published in 2015 in partnership with UN Women, this study shows that in developing countries, Posts that offer account-based services have twice as many female clients as banks. This demonstrates the Posts' capacity to become public policy tools in favor of the financial inclusion of women.
Financial inclusion and the role of the post office

Financial inclusion and the role of the post office

10/1/2013 — This study led with the World Bank shows that unbanked people including the poor, less educated and unemployed are more likely to get their financial services from a post office than a bank.
Global Panorama on Postal Financial Inclusion 2012

Global Panorama on Postal Financial Inclusion 2012

9/1/2012 —

This report establishes a panorama of postal financial inclusion and presents, for the very first time, the current status of this dimension in financial inclusion.

Based on a questionnaire answered by 123 UPU member countries and the concrete lessons drawn from field missions, the report aims to bridge both the information and awareness gaps on the role of Posts in financial inclusion by providing statistical information on postal operators. It is intended for governments, postal operators and development partners alike, and is an important tool in the fight against financial exclusion.