@article{oai:nagoya.repo.nii.ac.jp:00025999, author = {TORIUMI, Naoko}, issue = {3}, journal = {国際開発研究フォーラム, Forum of International Development Studies}, month = {Mar}, note = {The purpose of this paper is to examine a hypothesis that runs contrary to the existing literatures -- that “proximity” to financial institutions is not necessarily a crucial determinant which affects the utilization of formal financial services by rural people. The author has selected the case of the newly established branch office of Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd. (OISL) of Ghana, which has smoothly extended its financial services to rural areas since its inception. The quantitative analysis confirms the hypothesis by showing that neither lenders nor users regard “proximity” to be a significant determinant of the provision and utilization of loans. They instead regard the following determinants as being significant. Firstly, the financial condition of users is a significant determinant, regardless of their “proximity” to financial institutions. Secondly, OISL’s ability to efficiently provide financial services and products that meet the demands of people whose needs are not being met by existing formal and informal financial services. Thirdly, the lender’s transformational work has encouraged people to at least open accounts, as many of the interviewees mentioned. Fourthly, “proximity” needs to be understood as the users’ “accessibility” to primary roads, rather than their “direct physical distance” from the branch. Although this study is based on the limited area of rural Ghana, both OISL’s approach to rural people and the perception of financial service provision have some implications for other FFIs.}, pages = {1--23}, title = {Does People’s “Proximity to Financial Institutions” Have an Impact on the Utilization of Financial Service in Rural Areas? A Case Study of a New Branch Office of Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd. of Ghana Has Been Selected to Explore the Question}, volume = {48}, year = {2018} }