Análisis de la falta de inclusión financiera y su relación con los préstamos ilegales en los emprendedores del sector popular y solidario cantón Quito, año 2025

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the factors that influence levels of financial inclusion and their relationship with the use of illicit loans among entrepreneurs in the popular and solidarity sectors in the canton of Quito. A mixed-method approach and a non-experimental descriptivecorrelational design were used. Through surveys administered to 168 entrepreneurs from the Ipiales del Sur shopping center, they identified several barriers such as lack of credit history, bank bureaucracy, lack of knowledge of financial products, and fear of rejection. The study also allowed to characterize illicit loans as a financing alternative that, while quick, is associated with financial and emotional risks, usurious interest rates, and conditions such as abusive payment terms. The results show that financial exclusion induces the use of informal loans, creating a vicious cycle that limits the economic growth of the entrepreneurial sector. This research highlights the urgency of creating inclusive public policies, improving financial education specifically in popular sectors, and promoting accessible financial instruments.