Understanding Millennials’ Financial Behavior: The Role of Fintech Adoption, Financial Literacy, and the Mediating Effect of Financial Attitudes in a Crisis-Affected Emerging Economy

This study investigates how financial literacy, FinTech adoption, and financial attitudes shape economic decision-making among millennials in Lebanon, a crisis-affected emerging economy. The study examines whether enhancing financial literacy can strengthen economic resilience through improved financial behavior, with financial attitudes acting as a mediator. Guided by Behavioral Finance Theory, the study employs a quantitative approach using data from 390 Lebanese millennials collected via a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was applied to test direct and mediating effects. Both financial literacy and FinTech adoption were found to significantly influence millennials’ financial behavior, with financial literacy emerging as the stronger predictor. The findings also revealed that financial attitude significantly mediates the link between literacy and behavior, suggesting that financial knowledge alone is insufficient without attitudinal reinforcement. This study fills a critical empirical gap in the MENA region by offering evidence from a highly under-researched, crisis-affected emerging market. It introduces an integrated model combining technological, cognitive, and attitudinal dimensions of financial behavior. The study offers practical implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and international development actors seeking to strengthen financial inclusion and household stability in similar turbulent contexts.