Peer-Reviewed Publications
Privacy Regulation and Quality-Enhancing Innovation (with Yassine Lefouili and Leonardo Madio), Forthcoming, Journal of Industrial Economics
Abstract: We analyze how a privacy regulation taking the form of a cap on information disclosure affects quality-enhancing innovation incentives by a monopolist--who derives revenues soles from disclosing user data to third parties--and consumer surplus. If the share of privacy-concerned users is sufficiently small, privacy regulation has a negative effect on innovation and may harm users. However, if the share of privacy-concerned users is sufficiently large, privacy regulation has a positive effect on innovation. In this case, there is no trade-off between privacy and innovation, and users always benefit from privacy regulation.
Which Types of Unbanked Households Are More (or Less) Likely to Open a Bank Account? (With Fumiko Hayashi and Aditi Routh), Forthcoming, Journal of Economics and Business
Abstract: Promoting bank account ownership is important because having a bank account is the foundation for households’ financial well-being. Unbanked households differ in their likelihood of opening a bank account, and understanding the factors associated with these differences can help policymakers and industry stakeholders to tailor financial inclusion strategies. This study examines which factors are associated with unbanked households that are more (or less) likely to open a bank account. We use data from the FDIC National Surveys of Unbanked and Underbanked Households and assess the likelihoods of opening a bank account for different groups of unbanked households divided based on their prior banking status and interest in having a bank account. Unbanked households that previously had a bank account and are interested in having a bank account are more likely to open an account. These households tend to be unemployed, more educated, and native born, to have access to digital technologies, to use alternative financial services, and to be unbanked because of unfavorable bank account features. In contrast, households that never had a bank account and are uninterested in a bank account are less likely to open an account. These households tend to be not in the labor force, less educated, of a racial minority, and foreign born, to lack access to digital technologies, and to rely heavily on cash. Moreover, they tend to distrust banks. Advancing financial inclusion for this group will require strategies to increase their trust in the financial services industry.
Abstract: We analyze how a privacy regulation taking the form of a cap on information disclosure affects quality-enhancing innovation incentives by a monopolist--who derives revenues soles from disclosing user data to third parties--and consumer surplus. If the share of privacy-concerned users is sufficiently small, privacy regulation has a negative effect on innovation and may harm users. However, if the share of privacy-concerned users is sufficiently large, privacy regulation has a positive effect on innovation. In this case, there is no trade-off between privacy and innovation, and users always benefit from privacy regulation.
Which Types of Unbanked Households Are More (or Less) Likely to Open a Bank Account? (With Fumiko Hayashi and Aditi Routh), Forthcoming, Journal of Economics and Business
Abstract: Promoting bank account ownership is important because having a bank account is the foundation for households’ financial well-being. Unbanked households differ in their likelihood of opening a bank account, and understanding the factors associated with these differences can help policymakers and industry stakeholders to tailor financial inclusion strategies. This study examines which factors are associated with unbanked households that are more (or less) likely to open a bank account. We use data from the FDIC National Surveys of Unbanked and Underbanked Households and assess the likelihoods of opening a bank account for different groups of unbanked households divided based on their prior banking status and interest in having a bank account. Unbanked households that previously had a bank account and are interested in having a bank account are more likely to open an account. These households tend to be unemployed, more educated, and native born, to have access to digital technologies, to use alternative financial services, and to be unbanked because of unfavorable bank account features. In contrast, households that never had a bank account and are uninterested in a bank account are less likely to open an account. These households tend to be not in the labor force, less educated, of a racial minority, and foreign born, to lack access to digital technologies, and to rely heavily on cash. Moreover, they tend to distrust banks. Advancing financial inclusion for this group will require strategies to increase their trust in the financial services industry.