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Microfinance and dynamic incentives

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  • Shapiro, D.A.

Abstract

Dynamic incentives, where incentives to repay are generated by granting access to future loans, are one of the methodologies used by microfinance institutions (MFIs). In this paper, I present a model of dynamic incentives where lenders are uncertain over how much borrowers value future loans. Loan terms are determined endogenously, and loans become more favorable as the probability of default becomes lower. I show that in all equilibria but one all borrowers, including the most patient ones, eventually default. I then consider an extension where borrowers can take loans from several lenders, double-dipping. Qualitatively, properties of equilibria with and without double-dipping are similar. In absolute terms, when borrowers are credit-constrained double-dipping equilibrium loans have to be more favorable to outweigh increased gains from default.

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  • Shapiro, D.A., 2015. "Microfinance and dynamic incentives," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 73-84.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:115:y:2015:i:c:p:73-84
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2015.03.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara Biancini & David Ettinger & Baptiste Venet, 2021. "When Pro-Poor Microcredit Institutions Favor Richer Borrowers - A Moral Hazard Story," CESifo Working Paper Series 8893, CESifo.
    2. Ding, Zhao & Jiang, Yuansheng, 2020. "Experience, learning behavior, and rural households’ preferences for microfinance," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304308, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Singh, Nirvikar, 2018. "Financial Inclusion: Concepts, Issues and Policies for India," Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt98p5m37s, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz.
    4. Sara Biancini & David Ettinger & Baptiste Venet, 2017. "Mission Drift in Microcredit and Microfinance Institution Incentives," Economics Working Paper Archive (University of Rennes & University of Caen) 2017-02, Center for Research in Economics and Management (CREM), University of Rennes, University of Caen and CNRS.
    5. Richard A. Gallenstein & Jon Einar Flatnes & John P. Dougherty & Abdoul G. Sam & Khushbu Mishra, 2021. "The impact of index‐insured loans on credit market participation and risk‐taking," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(1), pages 141-156, January.
    6. Dasgupta, Dyotona & Mookherjee, Dilip, 2023. "A theory of progressive lending," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 211-227.
    7. Shiqu Zhou, 2020. "Dynamic incentives in microfinance with commitment‐type borrower," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(3), pages 1199-1210, August.
    8. Jon Einar Flatnes, 2021. "Information Sharing and Rationing in Credit Markets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(3), pages 944-960, May.
    9. Francesco Cecchi & Tinka Koster & Robert Lensink, 2021. "Liquidity defaults and progressive lending in microfinance: A lab‐in‐the field experiment in Bolivia," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 2013-2030, November.
    10. Hubert Tchakoute Tchuigoua, 2021. "Proximity‐based screening tools and credit rationing: Lessons from a Cameroonian greenfield microfinance institution," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(3), pages 506-517, September.
    11. Nahla Dhib & Arvind Ashta, 2020. "How far can we go? Determining the optimal loan size in progressive lending," Working Papers hal-03001840, HAL.
    12. Dyotona Dasgupta & Prabal Roy Chowdhury, 2020. "Simultaneous Borrowing and Saving in Microfinance," Discussion Papers 20-09, Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi.
    13. Lucas Lopes Ferreira de Souza & Francesca Bassi & Ana Augusta Ferreira de Freitas, 2021. "Longitudinal analysis of microfinance borrowers in Brazil: A dynamic market segmentation," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 1063-1083, August.
    14. Fujimoto, Junichi & Lee, Junsang, 2020. "Optimal self-financing microfinance contracts when borrowers have risk aversion and limited commitment," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 60-79.
    15. Sara Biancini & David Ettinger & Baptiste Venet, 2024. "When pro‐poor microcredit institutions favour richer borrowers: A moral hazard story," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(1), pages 225-242, February.
    16. Sara Biancini & David Ettinger & Baptiste Venet, 2019. "Mission Drift in Microcredit: A Contract Theory Approach," Working Papers hal-02304352, HAL.

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