Bank stakeholders, such as creditors, investors, regulators, and other bank stakeholders, expect continuous performance improvement. To achieve this goal, bank managers can use information technology (IT) as a strategic resource to improve their bank’s capabilities and accordingly gain competitive advantage. In this study, the profitability and efficiency of commercial banks in Jordan are compared to investment in information technology (IT). Return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), and net interest margin (NIM) are used to measure bank profitability while controlling for bank size and financial leverage. Cost efficiency is measured using the cost efficiency ratio. The study sample consists of 13 commercial banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange between 2010 and 2021. To determine the relationship between the variables, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, the panel least squares approach, and fixed effects multiple regression models are used. The findings show that banks, on average, spend 0.61 percent of their total assets on information technology (hardware and software). Additionally, banks that invest in IT are predicted to perform better over time, as evidenced by their increased profitability and efficiency. Small banks have more IT investment as a percentage of assets than larger banks. In comparison to highly leveraged banks, less leveraged banks typically have a greater IT investment to asset ratio (0.69%). The findings show that profitable banks (measured by ROE) invest more than 1.1% of their total assets in IT. Meanwhile, highly efficient banks also invest more in IT (0.65%) compared to less efficient banks. AcknowledgmentWe are indebted to the Middle East University (MEU) - Jordan ) for the financial support needed for this article.

The integration of digital financial technology has revolutionized the global financial system, driving financial inclusion as an important pillar of sustainable economic development. This study examines the multidimensional effects of Digital Financial Technology and Financial Inclusion on Economic Development in middle- and high-income countries. The study employs various indicators of financial inclusion and technology, namely access to the internet, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), bank branches, and the number of depositors examined using panel regression analysis covering 20 middle-income countries and 22 high-income countries from 2010 to 2021.The regression analysis results show that ATMs, internet access, bank branches, and the number of depositors all have a positive correlation with the Index of Human Development, which was used to measure economic development. This supports the idea that wider use of technology and increased financial inclusion can lead to higher levels of human development. Conversely, the study highlights a negative correlation between inflation rates (as a control variable) and Human Development Index (HDI) emphasizing the significance of maintaining price stability for sustained economic progress.The study concludes that digital financial technology and financial inclusion positively impact the economic development of countries and the disparity between middle- and high-income countries. So, the middle-income countries should prioritize the development of financial technology and policies to promote financial inclusion. AcknowledgmentThe Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies at Philadelphia University and Middle East University support this paper.

This paper examines the bidirectional relationship between sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the MENA region, using unbalanced panel data regression during the period from 1999 to 2018. The simultaneous equation model (SEM) is used based on the 2SLS regression considering endogeneity problem between sustainability and outreach. Two main systems are developed based on SEM; the first relates sustainability with breadth of outreach, while the second includes sustainability and depth of outreach. Results state that sustainability and outreach are complementary objectives, and the direction of their relationship is from outreach to sustainability. This finding is tested and supported using various robustness checks, namely: excluding firms with few data, using other methods to estimate 2SLS regression model, and examining the impact of sustainability on outreach based on their indices developed based on the TOPSIS method. The study concludes with some suggestions for future research in this field.

This paper examines the impact of financial inclusion and financial technology (FinTech) on women’s empowerment using panel data from 85 countries over four years, employing a comprehensive model that accounts for diverse income levels. The explanatory variables include FinTech and financial inclusion indicators, while the control variables encompass growth, inflation, education, and population growth. Key findings suggest that financial inclusion, through savings or mobile money accounts, has a significant impact on women’s empowerment in high-income economies. In upper-middle-class economies, education, inflation, and owning a bank account serve as crucial factors in women’s empowerment. Conversely, in lower-middle-income economies, education has a positive influence on empowerment, while financial inclusion through savings or mobile money exhibits a negative impact. The study highlights the significance of enhancing women’s financial literacy to improve access to financial services backed by contemporary FinTech and promote active economic participation. It emphasizes the need for crucial context-specific tactics to achieve successful gender equality and inclusive economic development. Its originality lies in its comprehensive analysis across income levels, uncovering complex relationships between FinTech, financial inclusion, and women’s empowerment.