Search our database of 1,200+ summaries of randomized evaluations conducted by our affiliates in 99 countries. To browse key policy recommendations from a subset of these evaluations, visit the Policy Publications tab above.

Displaying 57-64 of 323
Man with glasses and dark hair looks at computer screen while speaking into headset building relationship with bank client

Relationship Banking in India

Antoinette Schoar
Researchers evaluated whether the intensity of personalized interaction between borrowers and loan officers in India influenced borrowers’ repayment behavior. They found that clients with personal relationship managers at the bank had better repayment behavior but were not more satisfied with their...
Woman with colorful headscarf looks at mobile phone in Andhra Pradesh

Train the Trainer: Promoting Savings by Training Banking Business Correspondent Agents in Andhra Pradesh

Shawn Cole
Laura Litvine
Santadarshan Sadhu
Researchers are testing the relative effect on knowledge and savings behaviors of training customers through business correspondent agents and giving customers financial information directly, using an innovative mobile-based information platform.
Skilled workers in South Africa using microfinance loan to operate carpentry business

Interest Rates, Loan Maturity and Demand for Microfinance Loans in South Africa

Dean Karlan
Jonathan Zinman
Researchers tested the assumption of price inelastic demand using a randomized evaluation in South Africa. The results suggest that the demand curves were downward sloping, and steeper for price increases relative to the lender’s standard rates. Researchers also found that loan size was far more...
Students in a classroom raising their hands in Uganda

School Fee Loans to Increase Students' Educational Outcomes in Uganda

Paul Gertler
Brett Green
Catherine Wolfram
Researchers are evaluating the impact of a digital school fee loan, with and without a direct repayment incentive, on repayment rates, households’ well-being, and students’ educational outcomes.
J-PAL logo

Evaluating an Exporting Scheme in Tunisia

Giacomo De Giorgi
Aminur Rahman
Eric Verhoogen
To promote export diversification, the Tunisian government is implementing a $22 million export matching-grant scheme, TASDIR+. TASDIR+ aims to increase exports and promote export diversification toward higher value-added exports and new markets. This study is using a randomized controlled trial to...
Young black man sitting on a couch and making payments with his card on his laptop

Estimating the Impact on the Lender's Bottom Line and Borrowers' Household Welfare of Expanding the Supply of Consumer Credit to the Working Poor in South Africa

Dean Karlan
Jonathan Zinman
Researchers evaluated how microcredit clients in South Africa responded to changes in loan terms. They found that clients adapted both their demand and compliance based on loan terms, and were particularly sensitive to above-average interest rates.
Two women and two men talking near a crowded market place

Identifying Information Asymmetries in a Consumer Credit Market in South Africa

Dean Karlan
Jonathan Zinman
Researchers sought to understand different types of information asymmetries and how they relate to loan default rates in South Africa. Borrowers given high interest rates had a greater incentive to default as it was more costly to repay the loan, but there was little evidence that borrowers...
Woman in yellow dress doing labor harvesting tea in Malawi

Deferring Wages and Labor Supply in Malawi

Lasse Brune
Jason Kerwin
Researchers partnered with a tea company in Malawi to study the effects of a savings product that allowed workers to defer payment of a part of their wages. The deferred wages program was generally popular and increased savings; in the longer run, it helped workers improve their houses.