Liability structure in small-scale finance : evidence from a natural experimen, Vol. 1 of 1

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Liability structure in small-scale finance : evidence from a natural experimen

Author:	Carpena, Fenella; Cole, Shawn; Shapiro, Jeremy; Zia, Bilal;	Collection Title:	Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5427
Country:	World;	Date Stored:	2010/09/20
Document Date:	2010/09/01	Document Type:	Policy Research Working Paper
Language:	English	Major Sector:	Health and other social services
Rel. Proj ID:	1W-Finance Literacy & Investment Choice As A Means To Female Empow -- -- P111634;	Region:	The World Region
Report Number:	WPS5427	Sub Sectors:	Other social services
SubTopics:	Bankruptcy and Resolution of Financial Distress; Access to Finance; Debt Markets; Microfinance; Deposit Insurance	TF No/Name:	TF092122-GENDER
Volume No:	1 of 1

Summary: Microfinance, the provision of small individual and business loans, has witnessed dramatic growth, reaching over 150 million borrowers worldwide. Much of its success has been attributed to overcoming the challenges of information asymmetries in uncollateralized lending. Yet, very little is known about the optimal contract structure of such loans -- there is substantial variation across lenders, even within a particular setting. This paper exploits a plausibly exogenous change in the liability structure offered by a microfinance program in India, which shifted from individual to group liability lending. The analysis finds compelling evidence that contract structure matters: for the same borrower, required monthly loan installments are 6 percent less likely to be missed under the group liability setting, relative to individual liability. In addition, compulsory savings deposits are 19 percent less likely to be missed under group liability contracts.


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