January 1st, 2011

Financial consumer protection is about ensuring a fair exchange between providers and consumers of financial services. A deliberate policy framework is necessary to counterbalance the inherent disadvantage of financial service consumers vis-à-vis the power, information, and resources of their providers. Without a clear policy framework, retail consumers typically find it difficult or costly to obtain sufficient information or adequately understand the financial services or products that they purchase. Well informed and empowered consumers not only protect their own interests, they also provide an important source of market discipline to their financial service providers. They encourage financial institutions to compete on the basis of useful products and services. A comprehensive consumer protection framework can therefore improve efficiency of financial intermediation, build trust in financial systems, and reduce risks to financial stability.

CITATION

Flaming, M., Owino, A., McKee, K., Jentzsch., di Castri, S., Maina, B., Ochieng, M., Collins, D., & Ahern, B. (2011). Consumer protection diagnostic study – Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: FSD Kenya.

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