Learning and Microlending

53 Pages Posted: 18 Dec 2008

See all articles by Mikhail Drugov

Mikhail Drugov

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); New Economic School (NES)

Rocco Macchiavello

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Medicine; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Date Written: October 2008

Abstract

For many self-employed poor in the developing world, entrepreneurship involves experimenting with new technologies and learning about oneself. This paper explores the (positive and normative) implications of learning for the practice of lending to the poor. The optimal lending contract rationalizes several common aspects of microlending schemes, such as "mandatory saving requirements", "progressive lending" and "group funds". Joint liability contracts are, however, not necessarily optimal. Among the poorest borrowers the model predicts excessively high retention rates, the contemporaneous holding of borrowing and savings at unfavorable interest rates as well as the failure to undertake profitable and easily available investment opportunities, such as accepting larger loans to scale-up business. Further testable predictions can be used to interpret and guide the design of controlled field experiments to evaluate microlending schemes.

Keywords: Credit Constraints, Group Lending, Microlending Schemes, Savings, Scaling-Up, Self-Discovery

JEL Classification: D14, O14, O16

Suggested Citation

Drugov, Mikhail and Macchiavello, Rocco, Learning and Microlending (October 2008). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP7011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1311135

Mikhail Drugov (Contact Author)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

New Economic School (NES) ( email )

100A Novaya Street
Moscow, Skolkovo 143026
Russia

Rocco Macchiavello

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Medicine ( email )

New Road
Oxford, OX1 1NF
United Kingdom

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

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