The DCO is excited to fund its first set of research studies! Five pilot grants were awarded to support early-stage, exploratory research related to digital credit and consumer protection in emerging markets. These pilot studies, with the vision of becoming full-scale evaluations, will feed into the greater DCO evidence base. Early results will be available in late Fall 2017.
The studies address the following research questions:
1. What are the short - and long term - impacts (both positive and negative) of digital credit on consumers in emerging markets?
2. How can digital credit products best reach consumers who are left out of the formal credit market?
3. How can digital credit algorithms, regulations, and other consumer protection measures be designed to minimize default, over- indebtedness, leakage, fraud and other risks to consumers and providers?
Here are brief summaries of the five pilot studies:
The studies address the following research questions:
1. What are the short - and long term - impacts (both positive and negative) of digital credit on consumers in emerging markets?
2. How can digital credit products best reach consumers who are left out of the formal credit market?
3. How can digital credit algorithms, regulations, and other consumer protection measures be designed to minimize default, over- indebtedness, leakage, fraud and other risks to consumers and providers?
Here are brief summaries of the five pilot studies:
Mobile Payments and Inclusive Credit: A Silver Lining in India's "Cash Crisis"? |
Consumer Protection Oversights in the Chinese Social Credit System |
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CEGA Affiliates: Ethan Ligon, Aprajit Mahajan, Ketki Sheth
Country: India Implementing Partner: Catalyst Project Summary: The recent "cash crisis" in India has spurred adoption of a new set of mobile payment technologies (IndiaStack). This project will explore how credit markets enabled by the IndiaStack technology can best serve those consumers and merchants who presently don't have access to formal financial markets. |
CEGA Affiliate: Joshua Blumenstock
Researchers: Shazeda Ahmed, Jael Makagon, and Deirdre Mulligan Country: China Implementing Partner: In progress Project Summary: In this qualitative pilot study, unbanked users of China's social credit system will be interviewed in order to understand their perceptions of the privacy, security, and other consumer protection risks they face in using such loosely regulated financial services. |
Access to Digital Credits and Its Spillover Effects in China
CEGA Affiliate: Elisabeth Sadoulet
Researchers: Zenan Wang, Tao Sherry Kong, and Bingkai Chen Country: China Implementing Partner: Institute of Social Science Survey, Peking University Project Summary: This study will estimate both the impacts of receiving digital credits on loan-recipients and its spillovers on households who did not apply for the loans. Additionally, experiments will be designed to further understand why credit constrained non-applicants opt out for loans. |
Gender-Differentiated Credit Algorithms Using Machine Learning
CEGA Affiliate: Paul Gertler
Researcher: Sean Higgins Country: Dominican Republic Implementing Partner: Asociación La Nacional de Ahorro y Préstamos Project Summary: Low-income women disproportionately lack access to credit often because they lack credit histories, property rights, and formal earnings. This study will help to understand whether gender-differentiated digital credit scoring algorithms using machine learning techniques with call detail records and bill payment histories can increase women's access to formal credit while minimizing default, over-indebtedness, and other risks. |
Nano-Loans and CDR-based Credit Scores:
A Gateway to Financial Inclusion for the
Unbanked?
CEGA Affiliate: Travis Lybbert
Researcher: Oscar Barriga Cabanillas
Country: Caribbean region
Implementing Partner: In progress
Project Summary: This study will explore possibilities for a
rigorous evaluation of a new loan product that will utilize
credit scores based on call detail records. Research will
focus on the impact of this new loan product as a potential
gateway to liquidity and broader financial services.
Researcher: Oscar Barriga Cabanillas
Country: Caribbean region
Implementing Partner: In progress
Project Summary: This study will explore possibilities for a
rigorous evaluation of a new loan product that will utilize
credit scores based on call detail records. Research will
focus on the impact of this new loan product as a potential
gateway to liquidity and broader financial services.
