The Development of Payment Services as an Example of Disintermediation in the Financial System

Abstract

The reasons for disintermediation in the financial systems can be found on both sides of supply and demand. This progressing phenomenon is a result of numerous changes in the post-crisis financial sector landscape. In this article, the authors analyse the underlying causes of the shift away from formal financial institutions in the area of financial services as well as present the Polish payment services market as an example of banks’ receding role in the traditional intermediation between market players.