For banks and regulators, financial abuse is emerging as a critical frontier: one that intersects with regulatory responsibility, institutional trust, and inclusive economic participation. For banks, the cost of inaction is multifaceted, absorbing preventable loan defaults, risking reputational damage, incurring operational inefficiencies, and ultimately failing to protect customers and employees from financial harm. However, when action is taken, financial institutions can strengthen trust and the integrity of the financial system.
 
Drawing on lessons from International Finance Corporation’s ‘Empower Finance’ program in APAC addressing financial abuse, as well as frontline experiences, this session explores how the financial sector is, and can, play a transformative role in addressing financial abuse, through policy and practice. The discussion will examine how the sector can play to its strengths to move from awareness to action. 
 
What to Expect: 
·        Learn from global experts in financial abuse prevention on how financial institutions – and others - are responding to the challenge. 
·        Hear how banks in APAC are identifying their leverage points in preventing and responding to financial abuse. 
·        See how this work is helping to engage executives, staff, CSOs and the community in designing contextual responses to the challenge. 
·        Explore first-of-their-kind insights emerging from IFC’s work with financial institutions in APAC.