CBSI begins a national survey to assess access, usage and quality of financial services and products in Solomon Islands.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), in collaboration with Tebbutt Research, will conduct its second Financial Services National Demand Side Survey (DSS) from September to October 2026.

The 2026 survey will cover a nationally representative sample of approximately 992 adults, randomly selected from households across Solomon Islands, including urban, rural and maritime communities.

The survey aims to help CBSI, the Government and other key stakeholders better understand the needs, preferences and behaviours of Solomon Islanders in relation to financial services and products.

The survey will also provide updated information on the access, usage, quality and satisfaction of financial services and products currently available in Solomon Islands from the perspective of consumers.

In addition, the survey will assess customer readiness and whether there is an appetite for climate-related financial products and services in the future.

The findings will provide an evidence base for policy development, help identify gaps in the provision of financial services and products, and inform responses to emerging trends. The results will also support the development of more tailored and appropriate financial products and services and contribute to the monitoring, evaluation and advancement of financial inclusion across the country.

The survey will also help evaluate progress under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 3, which was implemented by CBSI from 2021 to 2025.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Dr Luke Forau, said one of the key objectives of the 2026 National Demand Side Survey is to inform the review and development of financial inclusion targets and action plans.

He said these findings will contribute to the formulation of the next Financial Inclusion Strategy for Solomon Islands.

The first Demand Side Survey was conducted by CBSI in 2015 with support from the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program, now the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion.

The 2026 National Demand Side Survey is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) and Tebbutt Research providing technical support to CBSI.

Tebbutt Research enumerators will undertake the fieldwork and collect the survey data across the country.

The findings of the 2026 National Demand Side Survey are expected to be released by the end of 2026.

SOURCE// CBSI PRESS RELEASE