The WTS (Wireless Trading System) aims to assist in alleviating financial exclusion and help poverty reduction using text message on the mobile phone to access stock market facilities and other financial services.Access to financial services has been recognised as a key factor for economic growth and development especially in developing countries and emerging markets.In these locations, financial services are only used by a section of the population with access being a prohibiting factor for people in rural regions.The system leverages on the global success of money transfer remittances engaging migrant communities, internationally to purchase stocks and other financial products on behalf of the recipient in the developing country. The stocks are managed by the recipient in the developing country, through the use of the mobile phone receiving news alerts, information, stockbroker advice, services and making enquiries via text messaging.Sending funds through remittance assists the recipient with immediate financial challenges, this solution not only aids the recipient financially, also enables the recipient to be educated about the benefits of investment for long term financial sustainability.
This innovative concept takes remittances to the next level and has the following key advantages and benefits.
It is designed as a promising solution to help increase access to financial services using low-cost mobile technology, convenience and accessibility to serve customers in remote locations worldwide.
It provides financial institutions with a platform to introduce new products, cost effectively to the financially excluded which in turn lowers the access cost, which has hitherto served as a deterrent for the disadvantaged groups.
Through mobile technology it assists with poverty reduction through the empowerment of the local community with financial services from banking to insurance and financial investments.
It educates the local community on the use of financial products through text message, helps bridge the digital divide through the use of mobile technology and aims to provide self sufficiency. The challenges and opportunities of this project are indeed vast.
The project is led by a team of three professionals with over ten years of experience in financial services and mobile telecommunications..