Sains Malaysiana 54(6)(2025): 1641-1656

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5406-18

 

Digital Finance and Banking Stability: Balancing Inclusion and Risk in Asian Economies

(Kewangan Digital dan Kestabilan Perbankan: Mengimbangi Rangkuman dan Risiko dalam Ekonomi Asia)

 

MUHAMMAD IATZAZ UL HASSAN1,2, MENGYUN WU3,*, UMAIR KASHIF2, YASIR RASOOL4, JAN MUHAMMAD SOHU5 & MUHAMMAD AKHTAR4

 

1Quanzhou University of Information Engineering, China

2School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, 301, Xuefu, Road Zhenjiang, China

3School of Accounting, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, China

4School of Management, Jiangsu University, China

5Department of Business Administration, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, Pakistan

 

Diserahkan: 23 Januari 2025/Diterima: 29 April 2025

 

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Asian economies; banking sector risk management; business strategies; digital economy; digital financial inclusion

 

Abstrak

Penyelidikan ini mengkaji hubungan antara rangkuman kewangan digital (DFI), ekonomi digital (DE) dan kestabilan bank merentas 33 ekonomi Asia dari 2010 hingga 2022. Menggunakan skor-Z (ZS) dan Pinjaman Tidak Berbayar (NPL) sebagai ukuran kestabilan, analisis menggunakan model Kaedah Umum Detik (GMM), Kuasa Dua Terkecil (GLS) dan Ralat Piawai Panel-Diperbetulkan. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa DFI memberi kesan negatif kepada ZS dan meningkatkan NPL, menunjukkan risiko yang lebih tinggi yang berkaitan dengan rangkuman kewangan. Sebaliknya, DE memberi kesan positif kepada ZS, meningkatkan kestabilan bank, walaupun kesannya terhadap NPL adalah minimum. Keputusan ini menyerlahkan sifat dwi-mata DFI dan peranan penstabilan DE dalam sektor perbankan. Pembuat dasar mesti mengimbangi usaha untuk mempromosikan DFI dengan langkah mengurus risiko yang berkaitan, seperti menambah baik alat penilaian kredit dan mengukuhkan infrastruktur digital. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pemahaman dinamik transformasi kewangan digital dan implikasinya terhadap risiko perbankan dalam ekonomi membangun.

Kata kunci: Ekonomi Asia; ekonomi digital; pengurusan risiko sektor perbankan; rangkuman kewangan digital; strategi perniagaan

 

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: 20230018@lixin.edu.cn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

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