Handbook on Consumer Protection for Inclusive Finance

A practical resource for regulators and policymakers on consumer financial protection

As digital technologies transform financial inclusion, with new providers, products, and delivery channels reaching out to the financially excluded, the need increases for effective legal and regulatory frameworks to protect low-income consumers. A sound legal framework for consumer financial protection will support financial inclusion and innovation, allow new products and services to responsibly reach previously underserved consumers, and provide for empowered and capable regulators to oversee and enforce these frameworks.

Strengthening the Legal Framework for Digital Financial Services

The Handbook on Consumer Protection for Inclusive Finance presents updated and revised guidance for consumer financial protection regulators organized around the Smart Campaign’s Client Protection Principles (CPPs). It expands upon a previous document, the Client Protection Principles: Model Law and Commentary for Financial Consumer Protection (Model Legal Framework) to reflect updated digital credit standards from the Smart Campaign, new and emerging guidance from international organizations and collaborative working groups, and consultation with a broad range of experts regarding the unique characteristics of digital financial services (DFS), with an emphasis on digital credit.

Global Lessons and Model Legislation for Policymakers

In the Handbook, the Client Protection Principles are matched with legal provisions that promote the realization of these principles in practice. Expanded areas of the Handbook include the unique characteristics presented by DFS, new content around data privacy, fraud, and security, and product-specific recommendations. The tool is intended as a resource for financial consumer protection policymakers by providing model language, illustrative examples, and actionable recommendations. The aim is to support dialogue and foster collaboration between government and industry.

Partners

We appreciate the support of our partners.

The Handbook on Consumer Protection for Inclusive Finance is a joint project between experts at the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion and DLA Piper/New Perimeter, with support from Mastercard Foundation.

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