Best Practices in Credit Accessibility and Corporate Social Responsibility in Financial Institutions

Journal of Business Ethics · 2009 · Volume 87 · Issue 1

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present and discuss some of the best practices of financial industry, in three emerging economies: Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The main thesis is that, notwithstanding the importance of certain specific deficiencies, such as an inadequate regulatory context or the lack of financial education among the population, the main factor that explains the low banking levels in emerging and developing economies, affecting mostly lower-income segments, is the use of inefficient financial service distribution models. In connection with this thesis, we will try to show that traditional financial institutions, both in developing countries and in the advanced economies have a special social responsibility to help create an efficient financial system that makes saving and borrowing instruments available to the greatest possible number of citizens.

Keywords

best practices, Colombia, corporate social responsibility, Ecuador, emerging economies, financial institutions, financial system, microcredit, microfinance, Peru

Enable JavaScript for citation tools and additional paper interactions.