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Being unbanked

1.4 billion people around the world can’t get a bank account, and two-thirds of them are in low and middle income countries. We investigate how tech firms are trying to help.

How easy is it to open a bank account in your country?

Around the world, 1.4 billion people can’t get a bank account, and two-thirds of them are in low and middle income countries.

People from migrant communities also struggle to access formal banking services.

We hear from 19 year-old Josue Calderon. Originally from El Salvador, he arrived in the United States when he was 16. He tells Sam Fenwick about the challenges of only being able to use cash when he first arrived in the US.

Sam also speaks to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service listeners about their experiences of opening a bank account.

(Picture: The hand of a woman about to take money out of her purse. Credit: Getty Images)

Produced and presented by Sam Fenwick
Additional production by Barbara George

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Thu 4 Jan 2024 08:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Thu 4 Jan 2024 08:32GMT

Podcast