Financial engagement of coastal communities in using fundamental banking facilities.

Financial inclusion is recognized as a critical enabler for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially for marginalized communities. This study explores the financial engagement of coastal communities in Ernakulam district, Kerala, focusing on the extent of usage and access to basic banking facilities across gender and locality both urban and rural. With a stratified sample of 360 respondents, the research employs chi-square tests to assess associations between demographic variables and financial behaviour. Findings reveal that 98.33% of the coastal population surveyed holds a bank account, largely influenced by government-initiated direct benefit transfers and social security schemes. No significant difference is observed in account ownership across locality or gender. Both urban and rural respondents regularly use banking services, primarily on a monthly basis, for receiving pensions, benefit transfers, and loan transactions. In terms of emergency funding, respondents tend to rely on informal sources like friends and relatives, although urban residents show greater inclination toward formal banking and NBFCs. The study underscores the degree of financial inclusion in coastal Kerala highlighting their social and behavioural influences on financial decision-making.