The degree to which fintech companies are aggressively tackling financial inclusion for women and the particular tactics that are working has not yet been adequately studied. IFC surveyed 114 fintech companies in emerging economies worldwide in order to close this gap. The Her Fintech Edge: Market Insights for Inclusive Growth research offers perspectives from fintech companies regarding their own beliefs and methods for catering to female clientele.


Vice President of cross-cutting solutions at IFC Emmanuel Nyirinkindi stated, "What is clear from this study is that strong behavioral gender differences, as well as barriers, call for fintech firms to offer differentiated solutions for women." "By doing this, fintech companies can fully leverage the potential of the female market, a valuable customer base with high revenue generation, lower default rates, and greater loyalty."


Fintechs think women are just as loyal, if not more so, than males.

According to 63% of lending-focused fintech firms, fewer than 25% of their portfolio consists of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), indicating that women continue to be underrepresented in fintech portfolios.

However, the study makes clear that fintech companies have a compelling commercial reason to cater to female clients. Women are viewed by most fintech companies as more valued, less hazardous, and more devoted consumers than men. According to the report, 69% of fintech companies that specialize in lending think that women's loyalty is either higher than or equal to that of men.


The strongest internal motivator for companies purposefully targeting women is the presence of leaders who have internalized the social or commercial value of serving women. According to the poll, 58% of businesses say that their executives' conviction about the significance of women's financial inclusion is the reason behind their strategic focus on women.

The paper notes that fintech firms need expertise, research, financial support, and technical aid to effectively capture the women's market, which is why they purposefully target women.