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on Microfinance |
| By: | Gabriela Calderón; Jesse M.Cunha ;; Giacomo De Giorgi |
| Abstract: | This paper explores whether the poor performance of many micro-enterprises can be explained by a lack of basic business skills. We randomized the offer of a free, 48-hour business skills course to female entrepreneurs in rural Mexico. We find that those assigned to treatment earn higher profits, have larger revenues, serve a greater number of clients, are more likely to use formal accounting techniques, and more likely to be registered with the government. Economically significant indirect treatment effects on those entrepreneurs randomized out of the program, yet living in treatment villages are observed. We present a simple model that helps interpret our results, and consistent with the theoretical predictions, we find that entrepreneurs with lower baseline profits are the most likely to quit their business post-treatment, and that the positive impacts of the treatment are increasing in entrepreneurial quality. |
| Keywords: | Business literacy, economic development, micro-enterprise |
| JEL: | I25 O12 O14 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdm:wpaper:2013-24&r=mfd |
| By: | Alejandra Campero; Karen Kaiser |
| Abstract: | In this paper we study the determinants of use of formal and informal credit sources. Given that awareness is a necessary step towards use of credit, in order to control for the possible selection bias we decompose the decision to use credit as a two stage decision process in which first, households form their choice set by deciding which type of institutions they want to consider as possible lenders (awareness), and then choose among them (use). Additionally, we allow for correlation between being aware of a specific source of credit and using it. We find evidence that supports the hypothesis that the formal and informal credit markets in Mexico attend different segments of the population. However, our results also show that informal lending sources' characteristics are valued per-se by consumers in certain situations, such as emergencies. |
| Keywords: | Credit demand, consideration set, informal credit, formal credit, Mexico |
| JEL: | D1 D14 G2 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdm:wpaper:2013-07&r=mfd |
| By: | Ximena Pena; Carmen Hoyo; David Tuesta |
| Abstract: | Even though 97% of the population in Mexico has at least one access point into the financial system, only 38% has some sort of saving or credit product in a formal financial institution. These figures show the insufficient use of the formal financial system and highlight the importance of analysing the determinant factors for financial inclusion in Mexico in more depth. This paper explores the factors determining financial inclusion in Mexico from the demand side, based on information from the 2012 National Financial Inclusion Survey (ENIF in the Spanish acronym). In order to identify the relevant factors, we have built financial inclusion indicators using the multiple correspondences method of analysis, taking into account whether people have credit and savings products, whether jointly (Aggregate Indicator) or individually (Savings Indicator and Credit Indicator). Using a non-linear regression analysis we endeavour to explain the factors influencing financial inclusion, bearing in mind not only whether people are banked, but also the possession of a set of formal financial products. In addition, we carry out the same analysis for the sub-group in the informal labour market, the sector of the population which generally suffers most financial exclusion. The results obtained for a range of financial inclusion indicators, both for the total population and for workers in informal sectors, show the need for making detailed analyses in order to encourage more participation in the formal financial system, by designing specific public policies for each population group depending on their socio-economic circumstances and geographical location. |
| Keywords: | Financial Inclusion, Personal finance, Financial institutions |
| JEL: | G21 G23 G28 O16 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bbv:wpaper:1415&r=mfd |
| By: | Felipe Kast; Dina Pomeranz |
| Abstract: | Poverty is often characterized not only by low and unstable income, but also by heavy debt burdens. We find that reducing barriers to saving through access to free savings accounts decreases participants' short-term debt by about 20%. In addition, participants who experience an economic shock have less need to reduce consumption, and subjective well-being improves significantly. Precautionary savings and credit therefore act as substitutes in providing self-insurance, and participants prefer borrowing less when a free formal savings account is available. Take-up patterns suggest that requests by others for participants to share their resources may be a key obstacle to saving. |
| JEL: | D14 D91 G22 O16 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20239&r=mfd |
| By: | Asongu, Simplice |
| Abstract: | The contribution of this paper to complement theoretical and qualitative mobile penetration literature with empirical evidence is twofold: firstly, we assess the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and; secondly, the instrumentality of financial development dynamics in this nexus. Main findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect of ‘mobile phone penetration’ and ‘mobile banking’, with a higher income-equalizing effect in the latter than in the former. Poverty alleviation channels explaining this difference in inequality mitigating propensity are discussed. The empirical evidence is based on 52 African countries and deviates from mainstream country-specific and microeconomic survey-based approaches. |
| Keywords: | Banking; Mobile Phones; Shadow Economy; Financial Development; Africa |
| JEL: | E00 G20 L96 O17 O33 |
| Date: | 2013–09–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:56800&r=mfd |
| By: | Ximena Pena; Carmen Hoyo; David Tuesta |
| Abstract: | A pesar de que el 97% de la poblacion en Mexico cuenta con al menos un punto de acceso al sistema financiero, solo el 38% tiene algun producto de ahorro o de cedito en instituciones financieras formales. Dichos resultados evidencian la falta de uso del sistema financiero formal y resaltan la importancia de analizar con mayor profundidad cuales son los factores determinantes de la inclusion financiera en Mexico. El presente trabajo explora los factores que determinan la inclusion financiera en Mexico desde el lado de la demanda, con base en la informacion de la Encuesta Nacional de Inclusion Financiera 2012 (ENIF). Para identificar los factores relevantes, se construyen indicadores de inclusion financiera mediante el metodo de analisis de correspondencias multiples, tomando en cuenta la tenencia de productos de crrdito y de ahorro, tanto de manera conjunta (Indicador Agregado) como de forma individual (Indicador de Ahorro e Indicador de Credito). De tal forma, a traves de un analisis de regresion no lineal se pretende explicar los factores que influyen en la inclusion financiera, considerando no solamente la bancarizacion, sino la tenencia conjunta de productos financieros formales. Adicionalmente, se realiza el mismo analisis para el subgrupo de poblacion que pertenece al mercado laboral informal, sector de la poblacion que generalmente sufre mas exclusion financiera. Los resultados obtenidos para los diferentes tipos de indicadores de inclusión financiera , tanto en la poblacion total como en los trabajadores informales, muestran la necesidad de realizar analisis detallados para fomentar una mayor participacion en el sistema financiero formal, disenando politicas publicas especificas para cada grupo de poblacion acorde con sus caracteristicas socioeconomicas y de ubicacion geografica. |
| Keywords: | Inclusion financiera, Instituciones financieras, Finanzas personales |
| JEL: | G21 G23 G28 O16 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bbv:wpaper:1414&r=mfd |