Conference Participation

Lightning Round I: Studies in Inequality from Social, Health, Spatial & Financial Perspectives

Paper: Bridging the Gap: Fintech as a Policy Lever for Equitable Economic Access in Developing 

and U.S. Markets

Abstract: Traditional financial systems have long left marginalized communities behind through limited credit access, absent local banking, and harmful lending practices. This presentation examines how fintech tools like mobile banking, alternative credit scoring, and decentralized finance are changing that in both U.S. and developing economy contexts. The focus is on policy: how regulators can intentionally use these technologies as equity tools rather than leaving outcomes to the market. It also addresses what cross-sector partnerships between academia, government, and industry are needed to make these changes last.

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