This report presents an investigation into how social norms impact rural women’s and youth’s ability to access and use formal financial products and services in Malawi. It confirms the importance of considering social norms when designing interventions to improve women’s and youth’s economic empowerment. It also offers concrete recommendations for the development of such interventions and programming. The report is intended for development actors, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, including the Rome-based Agencies, as well as financial service providers and policy makers in Malawi.