The British Academy for Training and Development provides this course in “Financial Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion” which provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, strategies, and tools that support financial consumer protection and inclusion. Through practical examples and global case studies, participants will explore the link between financial well-being, regulation, market conduct, and inclusive finance.

Who should attend?

·       Financial regulators and central bank staff

·       Policymakers and government officials

·       Microfinance and banking professionals

·       NGO and civil society representatives in financial inclusion

·       Consumer protection advocates

·       Academics and students in economics, law, and public policy

·       Fintech and digital finance service providers

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

·       Explain key concepts of financial consumer protection and inclusion.

·       Identify the main regulatory frameworks and principles guiding FCP and FI.

·       Evaluate financial products and services from a consumer protection perspective.

·       Recognize the challenges facing underserved populations in accessing finance.

·       Develop strategies for responsible financial innovation and digital inclusion.

·       Assess consumer risks and recommend appropriate redress mechanisms.

·       Design national or institutional financial inclusion action plans.

·       Monitor, evaluate, and improve financial consumer protection systems.

Foundations of Financial Consumer Protection and Inclusion

o   Definitions and core principles

o   The business case for consumer protection

o   The inclusion-protection nexus

o   Overview of global initiatives (G20, World Bank, OECD)

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

o   International best practices (G20, OECD, Basel)

o   Role of central banks and regulators

o   Market conduct regulation vs prudential regulation

o   Laws protecting vulnerable consumers

Consumer Rights and Market Conduct

o   Consumer rights (choice, information, redress)

o   Common misconduct (mis-selling, overcharging)

o   Financial literacy and informed decision-making

o   Responsibilities of financial service providers

Inclusive Financial Systems and Access

o   Barriers to financial inclusion (geographic, gender, income)

o   Financial infrastructure and ID systems

o   National financial inclusion strategies

o   Social and economic impact of financial inclusion

Financial Products and Risk Disclosure

o   Common products (loans, savings, insurance, payments)

o   Fair pricing and disclosure requirements

o   Suitability and affordability assessments

o   Evaluating product safety and transparency

Technology, Innovation, and Digital Inclusion

o   Role of fintech in advancing inclusion

o   Mobile money and digital wallets

o   Risks in digital financial services

o   Data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital identity

Grievance Redress and Dispute Resolution

o   Complaint mechanisms: internal and external

o   Financial Ombudsman schemes

o   Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) tools

o   Accessibility and effectiveness of redress systems

Consumer Empowerment and Education

o   National strategies for financial literacy

o   Tools for behavioral change and informed choices

o   Targeted education for youth, women, and MSMEs

o   Role of civil society and consumer advocacy groups

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Policy Design

o   Measuring inclusion and protection (Findex, IMF indicators)

o   Developing key performance indicators (KPIs)

o   Impact assessment of inclusion policies

o   Designing policies based on evidence and feedback