Journal article

Can mobile-linked bank accounts bolster savings? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Sri Lanka

Abstract:: We introduce a new mobile money interface that permits Sri Lankans to deposit mobile airtime balances directly into a formal bank account. Randomizing access and prices, we find a small increase in savings deposits with the partner institution and formal banks more generally, but no change in overall savings. When the deposit transaction costs are completely removed, only 26% use the mobile deposit service and only 7% use it frequently. Our results imply that deposit transaction costs are not a significant barrier to increasing savings, limiting the potential gains of mobile-linked savings products for financial inclusion.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

de Mel, S., McIntosh, C., Sheth, K., & Woodruff, C. (2022). Can mobile-linked bank accounts bolster savings? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Sri Lanka. Review of Economics and Statistics, 104(2), 306–320.

MLA Style

de Mel, S., et al. “Can Mobile-Linked Bank Accounts Bolster Savings? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Sri Lanka.” Review of Economics and Statistics, vol. 104, no. 2, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, 2022, pp. 306–20.

Chicago Style

Mel, S de, C McIntosh, K Sheth, and C Woodruff. 2022. “Can Mobile-Linked Bank Accounts Bolster Savings? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Sri Lanka.” Review of Economics and Statistics 104 (2): 306–20.
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Files:: deMel_et_al_2022_Can_mobile_linked.pdf

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Publisher copy:: 10.1162/rest_a_00956

Authors

+ de Mel, S More by this author

Role:: Author

+ McIntosh, C More by this author

Role:: Author

+ Sheth, K More by this author

Role:: Author

+ Woodruff, C More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: SSD
Department:: International Development
Role:: Author

Publisher:: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press
Journal:: Review of Economics and Statistics More from this journal
Volume:: 104
Issue:: 2
Pages:: 306–320
Publication date:: 2022-01-03
Acceptance date:: 2020-05-26
DOI:: 10.1162/rest_a_00956
EISSN:: 1530-9142
ISSN:: 0034-6535

Language:: English
Keywords:: savings

mobile money

financial services

FFR
Pubs id:: 1114482
Local pid:: pubs:1114482
Deposit date:: 2020-06-24

Terms of use

Copyright holder:: President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Copyright date:: 2020
Rights statement:: © 2020 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Licence:: Terms and Conditions of Use for Oxford University Research Archive

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