Academic literature on the topic 'Digitalization in the banking sector'

The article is aimed at identifying global trends in using modern information technologies in the banking sector, which were formed under the influence of digitalization of the economy. Digitalization is one of the main trends in global economy. Digital transformation has become relevant for business in various areas of economic activity, and the banking sector is not any different. The introduction of a bank card is considered to be the initial stage of the banking sector digitalization. At the present stage of development, banks have a wide range of tools to digitalize their activities, from office operations to customer service, to credit portfolio management, and to risk management. Today, the world's leading banks of various ownership forms can create digital currencies. The most widespread digital technologies in the banking sector are: mobile technologies, "big" data, blockchain, "cloud" technologies, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things. The application of the outlined technologies allows banks to optimize work processes, reduce operating costs, provide high service rate and convenience for customers, and also generate innovations and bring new banking products on the market. Digitalization makes it possible to track the customer base in real time, to form personalized sets of services for consumers, to restructure revenues and manage the bank’s credit risks. The authors conclude that digitalization is a non-alternative way for a modern bank to develop. Digitalization, introduction of information technologies, and the creation of innovative products are the factors determining a bank's competitiveness in the modern market.

“Digital” is the new popular expression in all sectors. With other sector, banking is additionally all around the world moving towards digitalization. Banks all things considered and over all areas are making immense investments in digital activities so as to keep up a competitive edge and convey the greatest to its customers. Selection of digitalization is significant for the banking sector. By grasping digitalization, banks can provide upgraded customer services. This provides accommodation to customers and aides in sparing time. Digitalization has transformed manual processes, transactions and exercises into digital services. Over all verticals, buyer needs have been met in entirely imaginative manners, upsetting existing enterprise esteem chains. Digitalization reduces human blunder and in this manner constructs customer unwaveringness. Today, individuals have nonstop access to banks due to online banking. Managing a lot of cash has additionally become simpler. Digitalization has additionally profited customers by encouraging cashless transactions. Customers need not store cash any longer and can make transactions at wherever and time. A few commercial banks began moving towards digital customer services to stay competitive and relevant in the race. Banks have profited in a few different ways by receiving more current innovations. E-banking has brought about reducing costs definitely and has created revenue through different channels. Commercial Banks in India have moved towards innovation by method for Bank Mechanization and Automation with the prologue to MICR based check processing, Electronic Funds transfer, Inter-availability among bank Branches and implementation of ATM (Automated Teller Machine) Channel have brought about the accommodation of Anytime banking. Solid activities are taken by the Reserve Bank of India for reinforces the Payment and Settlement systems in the banks. Indian government, banks, fintech companies have been advancing and changing the manner in which India spends its money. Simultaneously digital revolution additionally raises new challenges to the solidness and the uprightness of the financial system and the protection of buyers. Hence, the present study has been done on the digital revolution in the Indian Banking sector and the study based on the secondary sources of data.

In the article innovations in banking and foreign experience of digitalization studies. Catalyst of banking activity main factors of development of banking innovations considered as. The study allows us to set the boundaries of the digital banking model, determine the specific features of its activities and banking services to deepen the understanding of the subjects of the banking system of modern features of the development of the banking industry allows. Presented materials identification of the level of development of banking services for orientation and theoretical basis, it may be the digitalization of banking processes in terms of the impact of their activities on the transformation credit organizations and banking systems of countries around the world aimed at improving efficiency promotes coordination.

The article is devoted to the current problems of digitalization in the banking sector including ensuring of economic security in connection with introduction of digital currencies by central banks. Emphasized is special role of credit and financial organizations in development of digital banking technologies. Economic security risks of the banking sector arising in the process of introducing digital financial services are noted. The article gives an assessment of the level of development of digital transformation processes of the domestic credit and banking sector.

The presented study examines the digital banking model in the context of globalization.Aim. The study aims to analyze the nature and current state of digital banking and to determine perspective directions for its development in Azerbaijan.Tasks. The authors examine the major trends in the development of digital banking, determine its classification relative to the Russian digital banking market, and identify perspective directions for its development in Azerbaijan.Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to examine in various aspects the models of development, its trends, characteristic features, and perspective directions in Azerbaijan. Results. The progress of both Internet banking and mobile banking is closely associated with e-commerce. Out of 30 banks operating in Azerbaijan, 27 use Internet banking and 25 use mobile banking. At this point, 25% of current account transactions in Azerbaijani banks are conducted via electronic payments. According to the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index, Azerbaijan ranks 68th among 144 countries in terms of e-commerce development. Therefore, the most important strategic priorities for the country include improving the variety, quality, and services in the field of digital payments by consolidating the institutional and legal framework of these services, increasing the infrastructure capacity, and facilitating mass use. Expanding the scope of application of digital payments in the context of transparent economic transactions would reduce the costs associated with cash and operating losses of banks and institutions, which would in turn open up new opportunities for modern financial services, thus enhancing economic growth.Conclusions. Development of digital banking is a path toward economic transparency, shrinking of the underground economy, and an increase in tax revenues, the number of jobs, and GDP. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) is taking systemic measures aimed at expanding the digital transformation of the banking service and payment system. The implementation and development of innovative banking products should be reflected in the strategy of every bank. Digitalization could become one of the forces driving the development of the baking system and increase the level of trust between depositors and banks, making this sector more transparent. However, there is one major obstacle: a lack of understanding that business should be urgently transformed using digital technology.

Mestrado em Finanças
Digitalization is one of the most interesting and important topics nowadays in the banking industry. The objective of this internship report is to understand the importance of the Challenges for the banking sector and see the start of the digitalization on the example of the Commerzbank AG. This internship report starts with the description of activities developed during the internship at Commerzbank AG Branch Luxembourg. Going over to a Literature Review which deals with Regulation of the banking sector, current banking business models and further Challenges in the Banking industry. Most interesting in the current Challenges for the banking industry are covered by investing the topics of FinTechs & digital revolution, low interest rate environment & banks profitability and the Overcapacity in the banking sector. Next, applying the topics from the Literature review on Commerzbank AG, by explaining what is the solution and strategy for the current challenges. Finally, an outlook for Commerzbank AG and personal impression from the internship will be narrated.
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Abstract Background: The financial sector is under constant development and the massive digitalization has changed the banking sector. The banking industry is nowadays characterized by self-service solutions and customers can solve their problems from everywhere and at any moment. The banking industry is highly competitive since all banks offer homogenous products and services that easily can be duplicated. Therefore it is of major importance for the banks to distinguish themselves from the other banks, offering the same products and services. The only way to distinguish oneself in today’s competitive environment is by either price or quality.  Hence customer satisfaction, which leads to customer loyalty, can be seen as a potential tool to gain a strategic advantage in the highly competitive environment.   Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to examine marketing strategies for bank companies work in reaching corporate customer loyalty concerning digitalization, decision-making and service quality towards their corporate customers in the modern banking industry.   Method: This thesis builds on primary sources in the form of semi-structured interviews. Three key persons carefully selected within SEB have been chosen to get an insight of how the bank works towards shaping long-term relationships and loyal customers. Respondents were chosen after their competence concerning corporate customer loyalty.   Conclusion: The banking sector was examined and it showed to be highly homogenous and the products and services offered are basically the same. In that, three important conclusions were highlighted. First, there is a need for banks to distinguish oneself through high service quality, which will result in customer loyalty. The importance of being easy, credible and secure in order to keep existing customers and acquire new ones was fundamental. However being predictable and transparent in their reasoning is a necessity to shape a loyal clientele. Second, providing high service quality and reducing the gap between the customer expectations and delivered service will enhance the customer loyalty and also the bank’s profitability. Significant since it is cheaper to keep loyal customers than to acquire new ones. Third, as digitalization has changed the banking landscape, the future customers will consider themselves as loyal, but they will be loyal with more actors at the same time. This is due to the fact that competitors will only be a click away and that the digitalization will make it easier for customer to increase their probability by switching bank, as they will be offered more different available alternatives.
Abstrakt   Sammanfattning: Den finansiella sektorn är under konstant utveckling och den massiva digitaliseringen har ändrat den mycket de senaste åren. Banksektorn kännetecknas numera av självbetjäning där kunderna kan lösa sina problem var som helst och när som helst. Bankindustrin är en väldigt konkurrensutsatt marknad eftersom alla produkter och service är homogen och kan lätt kopieras. Därför är det extremt viktigt för banker att utmärka sig från sina konkurrenter, som erbjuder samma produkter och service. Det enda sättet att utmärka sig från andra banker i dagens konkurrensutsatta sektor är genom pris eller kvalitet. Därför kan kundnöjdhet, som leder till lojala kunder, ses som ett verktyg för att få en strategisk fördel i den konkurrensintensiva omgivningen.   Syfte: Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka marknadsstrategier i universalbankers arbete mot att uppnå kundlojalitet, beträffande digitalisering, beslutstagande och servicekvalitet mot deras företagskunder i den moderna bankindustrin.   Metod: Denna uppsats bygger på primära källor i form av semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Tre nyckelpersoner noga utvalda inom SEB har valts för att få en insikt i hur bankerna jobbar med att skapa långsiktiga relationer och lojala kunder. Respondenterna valdes utefter deras kunskap när det gäller lojalitet mot företagskunder.    Slutsats: Banksektorn undersöktes och den visade sig vara väldigt homogen och produkterna och servicen som erbjuds är likvärdig. Det gjordes tre viktiga slutsatser av detta. Först och främst så finns det ett behov för banker att urskilja sig själva genom hög servicekvalitet, vilket resulterar i kundnöjdhet.  Vikten av att vara enkel, trovärdig och säker för att behålla sina kunder och få nya är grundläggande. Även vikten av att vara förutsägbar och transparant i deras resonemang är en nödvändighet för att skapa en lojal kundkrets. Den andra slutsatsen som drogs var att förse kunderna med hög servicekvalitet för att reducera gapet mellan kundens förväntningar och den levererade servicen som i sin tur kommer att öka kundlojaliteten och även bankens lönsamhet. Detta är viktigt eftersom det är billigare att behålla lojala kunder än att skaffa sig nya. Den tredje slutsatsen som drogs var att eftersom digitaliseringen har ändrat banksektorn så kommer framtidens kunder se sig själva som lojala, men de kommer vara lojala med fler aktörer samtidigt. Detta är eftersom konkurrenter bara kommer att vara ett klick bort och digitaliseringen kommer göra det lättare för kunderna att öka deras lönsamhet genom att byta bank, eftersom de kommer bli erbjudna fler alternativ.

Digitaliseringen inom banksektorn har under de senaste åren utvecklats konstant. De stora förändringar som har skett inom banksektorn har lett till att konsumenterna idag kan utföra sina banktransaktioner vilken tid som helst på dygnet, utan att behöva besöka ett bankkontor. De digitala verktygen representerade huvudsakligen av Internetbanken, Telefonbanken, Mobilt BankID och Swish har underlättat för konsumenterna att hantera sina ärenden på ett smidigt och enkelt sätt, vilket har lämnat sina spår på den marknaden som bankerna verkar i. En stor del av bankkontoren i Stockholms län avvecklas då den fysiska kontakten minskar. Storbankerna SEB, Swedbank, Handelsbanken samt Nordea får nu en mycket stor utmaning att skapa kundlojalitet med konsumenterna då kundkontakten försvinner. Detta gör det även svårare för storbankerna att knyta kontakt med nya konsumenter. Syftet med denna studie är att belysa hur en utökad digitalisering av tjänster påverkar kundlojalitet till bankerna på den svenska marknaden. Uppsatsen ger en översikt av valda marknadsförings teorier och relevanta begrepp avseende bankens digitalisering och dess påverkan på kundlojaliteten. Därefter presenteras val av metod och motivet bakom valet. I den empiriska delen presenteras undersökningsdata med tillhörande analys av de insamlade data. Studien avslutas med en sammanfattad diskussion kring resultat och därefter redovisas studiens slutsats.
Digitalization in the banking sector has evolved steadily in recent years. The major changesthat have taken place in the banking sector have led consumers to carry out their bank affairs atany time of the day without having to visit a bank office. The digital tools represented mainlyby the Internet Bank, Telephone Bank, Mobile BankID and Swish, have made it easier forconsumers to handle their banking transactions in a smooth and easy way, which has left theirmark on the market in which banks operate. A large part of the bank offices in StockholmCounty are ceased as physical contact is reduced. The big banks SEB, Swedbank,Handelsbanken and Nordea have a very big challenge now to create customer loyalty withconsumers as the customer contact disappears. This makes it even harder for major banks toconnect with new consumers. The purpose of this study is to illustrate how an increased digitalization of services affectscustomer loyalty to the banks in the Swedish market. The essay provides an overview ofselected marketing theories and relevant concepts regarding the bank's digitization and itsimpact on customer loyalty. Thereafter, the choice of method and the motivation behind theselection are presented. In the empirical part, survey data are presented with the accompanyinganalysis of the collected data. The study concludes with a summary discussion of results andafterwards the conclusion is presented.

Title: The major banks digital customer relationships - a qualitative study of the impact of  digitalization on customer relationships in the banking sector.  Author: Emelie Fernholm and Emma Finnhult.  Keywords: Swedish banks, digitalization in the banking sector, digital customer relationships.  Aim: The aim of this study is to describe how banking clerks experience the impact of digitalization on customer relationships. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate whether the older generation has been affected harder by increased digitalization in the banking sector comparison with the younger generation and whether video chats is a successful complement to other digital channels to include more senses in customer conversation.  Theoretical reference frame: The theoretical frame of reference consists of the subject areas digitalization, digitalization in the banking sector, generations, customer relationships, customer loyalty and asymmetric information flows. The theory further presents several models. These models describe the impact of digitalization on the business, various relationship programs to create a good relationship with the customer and an alternative database for evaluating customer relationships. The theory chapter ends with an “understanding model” that connects the entire theoretical frame of reference.  Method: This study is based on a qualitative research method. Eight bank clerks have been interviewed from Sweden's major banks in a small municipality, a medium-sized municipality and a large municipality. The answers have been analyzed with the help of an intra- and interval analysis.  Conclusion: The theoretical frame of reference and the empirical material have finally resulted in four conclusions. The study shows that bank clerks customer relationships have been affected more positive than negative as a result of increased digitalization, that long-term customer relations have not become less important in Sweden's major banks as a result of increased digitalization, the problem that the older generation is affected by digitalization is explained much worse in the theoretical frame of reference compared to what bank clerks believe and video chats is a good complement to other digital channels to include more senses in the customer conversation.

Bakgrund: Banksektorn befinner sig i en allt mer komplex och föränderlig miljö på grund av digitaliseringen och dess påverkan på samhället. Till följd av den snabbföränderliga marknaden ställs det krav på hur bankerna internt organiserar sin verksamhet för att fortsatt vara konkurrenskraftiga. De mindre formella styrmedlen har därav fått en mer central roll då de är mer flexibla och lättare kan anpassas utifrån den snabbrörliga omgivningen. För att uppnå en flexibilitet som gör att bankerna kan följa med i förändringen krävs därför en förståelse för de informella styrmedlens anpassning och användning i samband med den digitala förändringen. Syfte: Studien syftar till att bidra med en ökad förståelse för hur de informella styrmedlen kan användas och anpassas för att möta förändringsprocesser såsom digitalisering. Metod: Studien är en kvalitativ tvärsnittsstudie där fyra banker studerats. Empirin består av sju semistrukturerade intervjuer med medarbetare på svenska banker. Vidare utgår studien från ett hermeneutistiskt perspektiv med en abduktiv ansats. Slutsats: Studien visar att bankerna använder sig av de informella styrmedlen kommunikation, kompetensutveckling och organisationskultur för att möta den digitala förändringen. Samtliga styrmedel har påverkats och anpassats på olika sätt för att möta digitaliseringen. Kommunikationen har blivit mer frekvent och lättillgänglig, kompetensutvecklingen sker mer digitalt och slutligen har företagskulturen behövt anamma en mer tillitsbaserad och öppen kultur. För att bankerna ska kunna möta den digitala förändringen på marknaden påvisar studien vikten av att kommunikation, kompetensutveckling och organisationskulturen används för att skapa ett lärandeklimat som främjar förändring. Slutligen måste de informella styrmedlen samspela för att skapa rätt förutsättningar för bankerna att möta den digitala utvecklingen och därav är ledarens roll av betydelse för ett integrerat användande av styrmedlen.
Background: The banking sector is acting in an increasingly complex and changing environment due to digitalization. Because of the rapidly changing market, requirements have been set for how the banks internally organize their operations in order to remain competitive. Informal control systems have therefore become more central as they are more flexible and more easily to adapt to the fast-moving environment. In order to achieve a flexibility that allows the banks to stay competitive, an understanding of the adaptation and use of the informal control systems in connection with the digital change is required. Aim: The study aims to contribute to an increased understanding of how the informal control systems can be used and adapted to meet change such as digitalization. Methodology: The study uses a qualitative cross-sectional study design where four banks have been studied. The empirical data consists of seven semi structured interviews with employees of Swedish banks. Furthermore, the study is based on a hermeneutic philosophical standpoint with an abductive approach. Conclusion: The study shows that the banks use communication, competence development and organizational culture to meet the digital change. The informal control systems have been influenced and adapted in different ways to meet the digitalization. Communication has become more frequent and easily accessible, the competence development is more digital, and the organizational culture has had to adopt a more trustbased and open culture. In order for the banks to be able to meet the digital change, the study shows the importance of using communication, competence development and organizational culture to create a learning climate that promotes change. Finally, the informal control systems must interact with each other in order to create the right conditions for the banks to meet the digital development. Hence the role of the leader is important to make sure that the control systems are used in an integrated way

Den pågående digitaliseringen kan ses som en av de mest väsentliga omvandlingarna av det moderna samhället, vilket har påverkat stora delar av näringslivet och människors vardag. Digitaliseringen har bidragit till omfattande förändringar i hur organisationer bedriver sin verksamhet och en av de främsta utmaningarna anses vara relaterade till utformningen av affärsmodeller. En bransch som formats av digitaliseringen är banksektorn, där utvecklingen har accelererat de tio senaste åren. Den svenska banksektorn har genomgått en omvandling som kännetecknats av en övergång från hierarkiska och byråkratiska strukturer till att följa principer om öppenhet och flexibilitet. De fyra storbankerna har länge dominerat den svenska banksektorn men utmanas av digitala aktörer i allt större utsträckning. Föreliggande studie syftade till att beskriva och analysera svenska stor- och nischbankers syn på förhållandet mellan digitaliseringen och affärsmodeller, vilket även innefattade att identifiera drivkrafter till förändringar av bankernas affärsmodeller. Tidsramen för studien avgränsades till de tio senaste åren, det vill säga, mellan år 2009 och 2018. Studien tillämpade en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi och en fallstudie genomfördes. Studieobjekten utgjordes av storbankerna Handelsbanken, Nordea, SEB och Swedbank samt de digitala nischbankerna Avanza och Nordnet. Datainsamlingen genomfördes med hjälp av en metodtriangulering, vilket inkluderade elva semistrukturerade intervjuer och årsredovisningar. Vidare genomfördes analysen tematiskt med hjälp av en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Studiens resultat visade överlag på att samtliga banker hade genomgått stora förändringar i sina affärsmodeller, där det förekom både likheter och skillnader mellan stor- och nischbankerna. Drivkrafterna för ändring av bankernas affärsmodeller till följd av digitaliseringen var emellertid samma oavsett stor- eller nischbank. Bankernas affärsmodeller hade förändrats med avseende på kundinteraktioner, resurser, integration med externa partners samt intäktsströmmar och kostnadsstruktur. Avslutningsvis identifierades teknologisk utveckling, företagsstrategier och imitation, förändrade kundbeteenden, förändrade regelverk och nya aktörer som centrala drivkrafter för ändring av bankernas affärsmodeller till följd av digitaliseringen.
Digitalization has been one of the most transformative changes to our modern society. This shift has affected almost all aspects of daily life and extensively shaped how organizations operate. One of the most challenging aspects within digitalization is related to business models. The banking sector is a key example of an industry that has been continually shaped by digitalization. In the past decade, this development has rapidly accelerated and as a result, there is a need for banks to review their business models. The Swedish banking sector has been characterized by hierarchical and bureaucratic structures to follow principles of openness and flexibility. Four big banks have long dominated the Swedish banking sector; however, they are increasingly being challenged by digital players. This study aimed to describe and analyze how Swedish banks perceived the relationship between digitalization and business models, which includes identifying the driving forces behind the changes within banking business models. The study's timeframe was delimited to the last ten years, that is, from 2009 through 2018. A qualitative research strategy was applied in which a case study was conducted including four Swedish big banks (Handelsbanken, Nordea, SEB, and Swedbank) and two digital niche banks (Avanza and Nordnet). Data collection was carried out using a method triangulation, which included eleven semi-structured interviews combined with annual reports. The study was analyzed through a thematic qualitative content analysis. Overall, the study's results showed that digitalization has changed the business models of big and niche banks, both similarly and differently. Although, the driving forces behind the changes within the banking business models were similar regardless type of bank. Changes in the business models were primarily based on customer interaction, resources, integration of external partners, revenue streams and cost structure. Lastly, technological development, corporate strategy and imitation, changed customer behaviour, changed regulations and new market participants were identified as keydrivers for changing the banks’ business models as a result of digitalization.

Research problemThe world is currently undergoing one of the most substantial crises of the past century, causing disruption both socially and economically. The effect on the Swedish inhabitants has been impactful, especially for elders, who are crippled in the ability to complete necessary tasks including private banking. Many elderlies are struggling with online banking and similar fintech services, so when the rest of the population resort to digital means of conducting bank errands, what are banks doing to smoothen the transition for elders? Research purpose The research purpose is to explore how commercial banks are bridging the digital divide between information technology and the senior customers and further how the immediate crisis complicates this. The thesis will explore the practical efforts toward smoothening the transition between an increasingly more digitalized bank sector and the older generations. Additionally, to provide insight to how the covid-19 pandemic influences commercial banking and what trends are following. Theoretical framework The theoretical framework has been modeled around five concepts relating to digitalization: Digital divide, the bell doctrine, E-banking, The profitability of traditional vs. modern banking and E-CRM. The theoretical framework is presented in full extent in its own section. Methodology A qualitative method is applied with emphasis on narrative inquiries collected through semiconstructed interviews. Empirical findings The findings are presented as thematic extracts from the interviews, anchored in the theoretical framework, consisting of primary data from five participants from four separate banks in the Umeå region, Sweden. Conclusion The local banks have been very successful in providing their non-digital customers with their services by being flexible and offering a broad range of channels through which the customer can interact with the bank. For the most part, the banks themselves remain largely unaffected by the crisis. Naturally, there are a few customers who still resist, or do not possess the ability to utilize the digital tools that has become the primary way banking matters are conducted at this time. Additionally, it is possible that the outcome of the crisis will have resulted in an increasingly higher rate of adaptation of digital banking, hence making the traditional business model more difficult to operate post-crisis.

Zusammenfassung: Diese Arbeit liefert eine institutionenökonomische Sicht auf den chinesischen Bankensektor des Jahres 2005. Im theoretischen Teil werden etablierte makroprudentielle Indikatoren zur Prüfung der Bankenstabilität in einen Rahmen aus informellen und formalen marktregulierenden und marktstabilisierenden Institutionen integriert. Die sich anschließende positive institutionelle Analyse zielt auf die Identifizierung von Risiken für die Stabilität des chinesischen Bankensektors ab, welche sich aus diesem institutionellen Gefüge ergeben. Abstract
Abstract: This paper gives an institutional perspective on the Chinese banking sector at the end of 2005. For the theoretical part, this paper uses established macroprudential indicators for banking sector stability and integrates these into a set of formal and informal market-regulating and market-stabilising institutions. The following positive institutional analysis aims at identifying risks for the stability of the Chinese banking sector emanating from this institutional framework.

Банковский сектор занимает лидирующие позиции по диджитализации в условиях активной цифровизации всех отраслей экономики. В статье рассмотрены особенности развития банковских цифровых технологий, ключевые тренды и вызовы банковского сектора в условиях цифровизации экономики. The banking sector is a leader in digitalization in the context of active digitalization of all sectors of the economy. The article discusses the features of banking technology development, key trends and challenges of the banking sector in the context of digitalization of the economy.

В статье рассмотрены основные аспекты происходящей эволюции банковской системы в условиях цифровизации экономики. Сделан вывод о наличии противоречивых тенденций в развитии банковского рынка, усиление процессов монополизации банковского сектора не способствует укреплению конкурентных отношений, что негативным образом отражается на качестве предоставляемых услуг потребителям. The article considers the main aspects of the ongoing evolution of the banking system in the context of digitalization of the economy. The conclusion is made that there are contradictory trends in the development of the banking market, and the strengthening of the processes of monopolization of the banking sector does not contribute to strengthening competitive relations, which negatively affects the quality of services provided to consumers.

Скачок в развитии технологий ознаменовал эпоху цифровой трансфор-мации всех секторов и отраслей экономики. Все больше компании начали осваивать цифровизацию как новый метод конкурентной борьбы за долю на рынке товаров и услуг. The leap in technology development marked the era of digital transformation of all sectors and industries of the economy. More and more companies have begun to adopt digitalization as a new method of competing for market share in goods and services.

The article deals with current problems of legal regulation of investment relations in the agricultural sector of the national economy, including leasing of agricultural machinery, agricultural territories with a special regime of business activity, as well as issues of regulation of digitalization of the agroindustrial complex.

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are organizations that provide small loans to borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history and therefore do not have access to traditional commercial banking. Blockchain technology could be used to create a more holistic view of the financial position of a potential borrower, which could result in better lending decisions. This study explores how blockchain technology has the potential to assist Microfinance Institutions in the water and sanitation sector through a pilot project developed in Peru. The improvements seen in the existing microfinance ecosystem during the implementation of the blockchain platform can be sorted into two main groups: improved institutional performance, and data ownership for the individuals.

t.The development of global agricultural production and food trade in recent decades implies a digital transformation and the transition to a new technological order, which is an essential factor for sustainable development. Digitalization of agriculture and the food sector is carried out on the basis of IT 2 platforms, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. Fragmented and unclear legal mechanisms, slow updating of legal regulation hinder the introduction of digital solutions. A modern regulatory framework based on digital strategies should strengthen the confidence of farmers in "smart agriculture". In Russia, the legal mechanism of strategic planning covers the development of the national platform "Digital Agriculture". Digital strategies also include updating basic legislation.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.