Long-Run Price Elasticities of Demand for Credit: Evidence from a Countrywide Field Experiment in Mexico
55 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2013
There are 4 versions of this paper
Long-Run Price Elasticities of Demand for Credit: Evidence from a Countrywide Field Experiment in Mexico
Long-Run Price Elasticities of Demand for Credit: Evidence from a Countrywide Field Experiment in Mexico
Long-Run Price Elasticities of Demand for Credit: Evidence from a Countrywide Field Experiment in Mexico
Date Written: June 2013
Abstract
The long-run price elasticity of demand for credit is a key parameter for intertemporal modeling, policy levers, and lending practice. We use randomized interest rates, offered across 80 regions by Mexicos largest microlender, to identify a 29-month dollars-borrowed elasticity of -1.9. This elasticity increases from -1.1 in year one to -2.9 in year three. The number of borrowers is also elastic. Credit bureau data does not show evidence of crowd-out. Competitors do not respond by reducing rates, perhaps because Compartamos profits are unchanged. The results are consistent with multiple equilibria in loan pricing.
Keywords: interest rate elasticities, interest rate policy, interest rates, microcredit
JEL Classification: E43, G21, O11, O12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation