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Financial well-being is becoming more prominent in policy, research, and the financial sector. However, there is a lack of understanding of its meaning, and the vast majority of financial well-being research employs quantitative methods whereas recent literature reviews advocate for qualitative studies into the meaning of financial well-being and its associations with age. We contribute to that by conducting exploratory qualitative research into the phenomenon of perceived financial well-being and its components. It is based on three studies each of which used in-depth semi-structured interviews (N = 47). The first key finding is that youth perceive financial well-being to be comprised of three components: keeping the current lifestyle and making ends meet; achieving desired lifestyle; and achieving financial freedom. In contrast, older groups distinguish only two: keeping and achieving the lifestyle in the present and in the future. The second finding is that the definition of financial freedom differs across age groups. Young people aspire to become financially independent, while middle-aged individuals prioritize supporting their children, and older people are afraid of becoming a financial burden. Third, regardless of age, many do not plan, save or invest for securing their financial well-being. We conclude by proposing implications for increasing financial well-being in different age groups, and suggesting paths for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive Summary: The study examines the role of economic freedom in the relationship between financial inclusion and stability in sub‐Saharan African economies. By employing the System General Method of Moment and data from 39 sub‐Saharan African countries between 2004 and 2017, the study examines whether economic freedom (i.e., financial and business freedom) conditions the effect of financial inclusion on stability. Results from the study show evidence of a positive impact of financial inclusion on financial stability in sub‐Saharan African economies. Again, the results depict that financial inclusion could better enhance financial stability in economies with a high level of economic freedom (i.e., financial and business freedom). The results suggest that policymakers should allow financial institutions to operate with the level of freedom required to provide services at the lowest possible price. Further, it is recommended that policymakers should ensure that administrative requirements are minimal, bureaucracy costs are lesser, and licensing regulations for startups and expansion of existing firms are friendly. With this, associated increases in business and financial freedom would have promising implications for the relationship between financial inclusion and stability. Managerial Implications of the Study: This research is very vital for firms in both the financial and nonfinancial. Specifically, managers of firms in the financial sector can embrace the level of financial freedom that would be allowed by the government, to come up with new and inclusive financial products, while putting in measures not to endanger the stability of the financial sector. Managers in the business sector could also take advantage of the business freedom that would be allowed by the government to diversify business operations, increase profitability and avoid causing nonperforming loan problems to banks. Originality/Value: The study provides the first insight into how economic institutions condition the effect of financial inclusion on financial stability, which has not been previously studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the interrelation between bank concentration and stability is examined, focusing on the joint impact of capital regulation and financial openness. Using the data from the Global Financial Development Database provided by the World Bank and the Index of Financial Freedom from The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal, a sample of five countries in Central Asia was obtained, specifically during 1993-2017. The results show that the relationship between bank concentration and stability supports the concentration-stability hypothesis. Moreover, higher concentration and well-capitalized banks increase financial stability. However, the effect of bank concentration and financial freedom on stability is negative and significant. Capital regulation and supervision from authority control in the financial sector need to be strengthened to solve financial instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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