Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies

This study investigates the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), the digital economy (DE), and bank stability across 33 Asian economies from 2010 to 2022. Using Z-score (ZS) and Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) as measures of stability, the analysis employs Generalized Method of Moment...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan, Wu, Mengyun, Kashif, Umair, Rasool, Yasir, Sohu, Jan Muhammad, Akhtar, Muhammad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/1/SME%2018.pdf
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author Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan,
Wu, Mengyun
Kashif, Umair
Rasool, Yasir
Sohu, Jan Muhammad
Akhtar, Muhammad
author_facet Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan,
Wu, Mengyun
Kashif, Umair
Rasool, Yasir
Sohu, Jan Muhammad
Akhtar, Muhammad
author_sort Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan,
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This study investigates the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), the digital economy (DE), and bank stability across 33 Asian economies from 2010 to 2022. Using Z-score (ZS) and Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) as measures of stability, the analysis employs Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Generalized Least Squares (GLS), and Panel-Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) models. The findings show that DFI negatively impacts ZS and increases NPLs, indicating higher risks associated with financial inclusion. Conversely, DE positively affects ZS, enhancing bank stability, although its effect on NPLs is minimal. These results highlight the double-edged nature of DFI and the stabilizing role of DE in the banking sector. Policymakers must balance efforts to promote DFI with measures to manage associated risks, such as improving credit assessment tools and strengthening digital infrastructure. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of digital financial transformation and its implications for banking risk in developing economies.
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spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:258222025-09-04T08:15:18Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/ Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan, Wu, Mengyun Kashif, Umair Rasool, Yasir Sohu, Jan Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad This study investigates the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), the digital economy (DE), and bank stability across 33 Asian economies from 2010 to 2022. Using Z-score (ZS) and Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) as measures of stability, the analysis employs Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Generalized Least Squares (GLS), and Panel-Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) models. The findings show that DFI negatively impacts ZS and increases NPLs, indicating higher risks associated with financial inclusion. Conversely, DE positively affects ZS, enhancing bank stability, although its effect on NPLs is minimal. These results highlight the double-edged nature of DFI and the stabilizing role of DE in the banking sector. Policymakers must balance efforts to promote DFI with measures to manage associated risks, such as improving credit assessment tools and strengthening digital infrastructure. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of digital financial transformation and its implications for banking risk in developing economies. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/1/SME%2018.pdf Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan, and Wu, Mengyun and Kashif, Umair and Rasool, Yasir and Sohu, Jan Muhammad and Akhtar, Muhammad (2025) Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies. Sains Malaysiana, 54 (6). pp. 1641-1656. ISSN 0126-6039 https://www.ukm.my/jsm/english_journals/vol54num6_2025/contentsVol54num6_2025.html
spellingShingle Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan,
Wu, Mengyun
Kashif, Umair
Rasool, Yasir
Sohu, Jan Muhammad
Akhtar, Muhammad
Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title_full Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title_fullStr Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title_full_unstemmed Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title_short Digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in Asian economies
title_sort digital finance and banking stability: balancing inclusion and risk in asian economies
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25822/1/SME%2018.pdf