Expanding Financial Inclusion for Seattle-Area Immigrants and Refugees

In 2018, a GRG research team partnered with the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department’s Digital Finance Services Research Group (DFSRG) to examine how refugees and immigrants integrate into Seattle financial systems. After completing regional case studies of financial systems in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Latin America the research team provided the client with data-based recommendations on the use patterns of particular demographics—complete with an assessment of the related challenges posed when implementing digital financial tools. The report includes observations and key findings based on interviews with organizations that serve immigrant populations and with the specific individuals who are integrating into local Seattle financial systems.