Increased financial literacy and inclusion indexes versus the number of unlicensed financial institutions in Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to provide and find an alternative solution to achieving literacy indexes and financial inclusion that exceeded the target in 2019. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a normative research type. Secondary data becomes the primary data and uses the method of qualitative data analysis. Findings The results showed that public literacy and financial institutions’ inclusion were dependent on public trust in financial institutions. The Financial Services Authorities’ (FSA) arrangement’s weakness lies in the limited scope of the FSA’s authority in carrying out legal actions against unlicensed financial institutions and the low critical power of the community in choosing a credible financial institution. Research limitations/implications Based on the research findings, results are expected to have implications for the concept of FSA’s authority. Practical implications Based on the research findings, results are expected to have implications for expanding the FSA’s authority to conduct oversight of financial institutions so that the high literacy and financial inclusion of the public can achieve public welfare. Social implications The research implication for the community is that the results of this study find weaknesses in the financial literacy and inclusion policies to find the causes of the problems and find solutions to these problems. The practical research implications are for policymakers; research results can be used as a basis for determining solutions to problems in regulations. The results of this study can also have implications for the development of a boy of knowledge in the field of business economic law, especially economic law. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no researches that have similarities with this paper.