Authors:

  • Dina D. Pomeranz

Excerpt

Saving More to Borrow Less: Experimental Evidence from Access to Formal Savings Accounts in Chile. Dina Pomeranz, June 12, 2014, Paper. "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..." Link verified October 6, 2014