Open banking has the potential to improve financial inclusion by providing new ways to demonstrate creditworthiness through alternative data.
Lenders can access real-time financial data to assess credit risk more accurately, enabling faster loan approvals and fairer rates for consumers.
The regulatory environment for open banking varies by region, with Europe's PSD2 directive leading the way.
Startups focusing on using alternative data sources to offer credit and financial services to underserved populations have growth potential and positive social impact.