Key Points:
Low card adoption in rural areas: Many Romanians in rural areas still prefer cash over using bank cards. This is due to factors such as a lack of access to bank branches and ATMs, limited awareness of the benefits of using cards, and concerns about security.
Financial inclusion gap: The overall level of financial inclusion in Romania has improved in recent years, but there is still a significant gap between urban and rural areas. This highlights the need for targeted efforts to promote financial literacy and access to financial services in rural communities.
BNR recommendations: The National Bank of Romania (BNR) recommends increasing the level of financial inclusion in rural areas, particularly by expanding access to bank branches, ATMs, and POS terminals. Additionally, BNR emphasizes the importance of financial education to raise awareness of the benefits and risks of using bank cards and other financial products.
Additional Notes:
The article provides data on the number of bank branches, ATMs, and POS terminals in Romania, as well as the percentage of the population with bank accounts.
The article highlights the challenges of providing financial services in rural areas, such as the high cost of infrastructure and the low population density.
The article suggests that government policies and private sector initiatives can play a role in bridging the financial inclusion gap.
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