The Needs for Financial Literacy in the Fintech Era: Italian Experiences

Abstract

The issue of financial literacy has been increasingly examined in Italy. It derived from the focus on overindebtedness and the threats posed by loan sharks. As paradoxical as it may seem, the overindebtedness risk is particularly high among the unbanked — households and micro/small businesses—because of their difficulties in having access to formal bank credit. Overindebtedness, usury, and the absence of connections with banks are all symptoms of a difficulty in relating appropriately to the banking system linked in part to inadequate levels of financial literacy. In the same way, the low propensity to insure has probably to do with a low understanding of the insurance process. This makes the unbanked/uninsured households and small enterprises, particularly vulnerable to risk. This paper aims to analyze the current situation of financial literacy in Italy, taking into account the vulnerability of some segments of the population and the inadequacies on the supply side. Surveys over time have shown a low level of financial literacy in Italy compared with advanced economies. A number of initiatives have been taken to attempt to improve financial literacy, especially among the young and more vulnerable. This chapter aims at presenting these initiatives and making a preliminary evaluation of them.