Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, and Age at Risk

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Economies, titled “Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, and Age at Risk”, focuses on the intersection of technological innovation in finance and the challenges of inclusive access across age groups. Its central focus is on how the rapid shift toward digital banking can foster or hinder financial inclusion, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults and younger cohorts who may face distinct barriers. The scope of this Special Issue spans both developed and developing economies, examining structural, social, and regulatory factors that shape the adoption of digital services. The purpose is twofold—first, to assess the opportunities digital finance creates for broadening access to essential financial services, and second, to highlight the risks of exclusion or heightened vulnerability when age, digital literacy, or socioeconomic conditions limit participation.

Within the existing literature, this Special Issue positions itself at the intersection of research on financial inclusion, fintech, and demographic risk. Prior work has established the benefits of digital finance for accessibility and efficiency, while also pointing to persistent divides in literacy, infrastructure, and trust. This Special Issue extends that conversation by foregrounding age as a critical dimension, thus contributing to debates on digital inequality, consumer protection, and sustainable inclusion in the evolving financial landscape.

Dr. Erika Kovalova
Guest Editor

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