Latest Development in the Field of Digital Finance
The landscape of digital finance is rapidly evolving, with significant advancements in infrastructure and service delivery. India, in particular, has witnessed remarkable progress, as highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's address at the IMF.
Key Developments and Impacts
1. Reduced Costs and Increased Efficiency:
- Aadhaar KYC: The implementation of Aadhaar-based Know Your Customer (KYC) processes has drastically reduced the cost of onboarding new accountholders from ₹600-700 to approximately ₹3.
- Consent-Based Data Exchange: A consent-based data exchange framework has resulted in a 75% reduction in loan processing costs.
- Financial Inclusion: These digital infrastructure initiatives have significantly enhanced financial inclusion, making it easier and more efficient to onboard a larger segment of the population.
2. Government Initiatives and Social Impact:
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: India's digital infrastructure has facilitated the distribution of approximately 90 million gas connections under this scheme.
- Direct Benefit Transfers: Digital platforms enable the government to directly transfer benefits to women's accounts, promoting gender-sensitive policies and empowerment.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI): With around 68% of payments processed through UPI, digital finance plays a crucial role in empowering women and driving economic activity.
3. Integration Across Business Functions:
- Cross-Departmental Adoption: Digital finance is being seamlessly integrated into various business functions, including HR, marketing, finance, operations, and sales.
- Business Process Optimization: A McKinsey & Company survey revealed that digital finance and technologies streamline business processes and reduce time-consuming manual tasks.
- Agile Development and Innovation: Companies are leveraging agile development methodologies and emerging technologies to foster experimentation and innovation.
4. Educational and Professional Development:
- Certificate Programs: Educational institutions are launching certificate programs focused on digital transformation, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in this field.
- Addressing Technological Disruptions: These programs equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate technological disruptions across industries.
5. Banking and Financial Institution Innovations:
- Pre-Approved Loans and Credit Facilities: Banks are offering pre-approved loans (up to ₹5 lakh) and credit card facilities (up to ₹10 lakh) with digital document verification.
- Supply Chain Finance (SCF): India Bank has launched an SCF facility on its digital platform, enabling vendors and dealers of corporates to access short-term working capital finance.
- New Service Delivery Models: Algorithms and robots are being integrated into digital finance operations, enhancing efficiency and expanding service capabilities.
6. Algorithims and Robotics:
- New service delivery models involving robotics and AI are being deployed to integrate new functions into digital financial systems.