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A theory of interactions between MFIs and informal lenders

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  • Mookherjee, D.
  • Motta, A.

Abstract

We provide a theoretical analysis of effects of entry of a microfinance institution (MFI) into an informal credit market which is segmented, whereby informal lenders derive some market power owing to privileged information concerning borrower-specific default risks. Relative to informal lenders, the MFI has a cost advantage and an informational disadvantage regarding borrower risk. Borrowers differ along another dimension: landholding, which is observable to all lenders. MFI entry is shown to induce selection effects (across risk and landownership dimensions) in shifts of borrowers from informal lenders to the MFI, which could raise informal interest rates, as observed in many LDCs. The model is consistent with evidence from Bangladesh and West Bengal, in contrast to hypotheses based on cream-skimming, scale-diseconomy-inducing, collusion-facilitating or crowding-in effects of MFIs on informal credit. The model implies that MFI entry is Pareto improving for borrowers, irrespective of effects on informal interest rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Mookherjee, D. & Motta, A., 2016. "A theory of interactions between MFIs and informal lenders," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 191-200.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:121:y:2016:i:c:p:191-200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2014.11.009
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    Cited by:

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    2. Suesse, Marvin & Wolf, Nikolaus, 2020. "Rural transformation, inequality, and the origins of microfinance," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    3. Rosaria Distefano, 2024. "Occupational choice and entrepreneurship: From necessity to opportunity," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 225-247, March.
    4. Pilar López-Sánchez & Elena Urquía-Grande & Cristina Campo & Andrés L. Cancer, 2022. "Delving into the Determinants of Default Risk in Savings Groups: Empirical Evidence from Ecuador," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(6), pages 2625-2650, December.
    5. Demont, Timothée, 2016. "Microfinance spillovers: A model of competition in informal credit markets with an application to Indian villages," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 21-41.
    6. Hoffmann, Vivian & Rao, Vijayendra & Surendra, Vaishnavi & Datta, Upamanyu, 2021. "Relief from usury: Impact of a self-help group lending program in rural India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    7. Abhirupa Das & Uday Bhanu Sinha, 2022. "Microfinance institution and moneylenders in a segmented rural credit market," Working papers 324, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
    8. Giulia Bettin & Claudia Pigini & Alberto Zazzaro, 2020. "Financial Inclusion and Poverty Transitions: An Empirical Analysis for Italy," CSEF Working Papers 577, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    9. Zhao Ding & Awudu Abdulai, 2020. "An Analysis of the Factors Influencing Choice of Microcredit Sources and Impact of Participation on Household Income," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 505-525, May.
    10. Fan Wang, 2022. "An Empirical Equilibrium Model of Formal and Informal Credit Markets in Developing Countries," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 46, pages 224-243, October.
    11. Capera Romero, Laura, 2020. "Essays on competition, regulation and innovation in the banking industry," Other publications TiSEM 5185bee5-c023-4219-90db-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    12. Bardsley, Peter & Meager, Rachael, 2019. "Competing lending platforms, endogenous reputation, and fragility in microcredit markets," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 107-126.
    13. Khan Jahirul Islam, 2023. "Strategic default, multiple installments, and the role of informal moneylender in microcredit contract," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 19(2), pages 204-220, June.
    14. Marthe Uwamariya & Claudia Loebbecke & Stefan Cremer, 2019. "Mobile Banking Impacting the Performance of Microfinance Institutions: A Case Study from Rwanda," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-18, December.

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