Meeting the Needs of Low-Income Consumers

The Level One Project remains focused on enabling financial inclusion by meeting the needs of low-income users—both individuals and merchants—as well as the DFSPs that serve them.

These goals guide the Level One Project thinking, including the origination of the Level One Project Design Principles—a set of principles to guide countries, regions, or commercial organizations working to create real-time retail payments systems that are designed to meet the needs of low-income consumers.

Accessible

Users can easily acquire and use DFS services.

Reliable

Users’ money and information are secure and available for use; systems help deter usage for money laundering and terrorist financing.

Valuable

Increase the value proposition for low-income consumers  to use DFS rather than cash or other traditional services.

Affordable

End users are willing and able to pay for the cost of preferred product and receive value in excess of cost.

Profitable

DFSPs that support low income consumers earn sustainable margins through product and service innovations.

Next Topic in this Section: Level One Design Principles