This title describes the state of access to financial services in South Africa in 2004, ten years after the democratic transition. It analyses key developments and innovations that have broadened access to financial services since 1994. It documents trends for public policy makers and financial institutions alike. And it suggests policy directions for the next decade of freedom. It also succinctly presents the state of play to the informed but non-expert reader. The objective is to inform and influence the debate, following the signing of the Financial Sector Charter in 2003, in part by creating a common authoritative reference source which records what has been tried, and benchmarks the starting position in 2004. There has been no published comprehensive overview of the financial sector - for example, financial services did not feature in government's recently released 10 year review - although the sector is clearly moving to centre stage. As an authoritative 10-year review, it will be a reference source on developments in the financial sector. And, by synthesising a large body of recent research, it will provide a guide to the future. The target audience includes policy-makers, regulators, bankers, development professionals, donors and the World Bank. While the title is aimed at South African readers, it will also be accessible and of interest to an international audience which has followed developments here.