nep-fle New Economics Papers
on Financial Literacy and Education
Issue of 2021‒06‒14
six papers chosen by



  1. Gender Inclusive Intermediary Education, Financial Stability and Female Employment in the Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa By Simplice A. Asongu; Yann Nounamo; Henri Njangang; Sosson Tadadjeu
  2. The Effect of Self-Control and Financial Literacy on Impulse Borrowing: Experimental Evidence By Antonia Grohmann; Jana Hamdan
  3. Financial Literacy in Western Europe By Luc Arrondel; Marlene Haupt; María Mancebón; Gianni Nicolini; Manuel Wälti; Jasmira Wiersma
  4. Paying Too Much? Price Dispersion in the US Mortgage Market By Bhutta, Neil; Fuster, Andreas; Hizmo, Aurel
  5. Gender Differences in Financial Advice By Tabea Bucher-Koenen; Andreas Hackethal; Johannes Koenen; Christine Laudenbach
  6. Sustainable finance, current and future implications for banks and monetary policy: assessing COVID impacts By Ojo/Roedl, Marianne

  1. By: Simplice A. Asongu (Yaounde, Cameroon); Yann Nounamo (University of Douala, Cameroon); Henri Njangang (University of Dschang , Cameroon); Sosson Tadadjeu (University of Dschang , Cameroon)
    Abstract: The study examines how financial stability modulates the effect of inclusive intermediary education on female employment in the industry for the period 2008-2018 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The empirical evidence is based on Tobit, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Quantile regressions. There are positive interactive or conditional effects between inclusive intermediary education and financial stability in the Tobit, OLS and bottom quantiles estimations. A net positive (negative) effect is apparent in the 10th quantitle (median) of female employment in the industry distribution. Implications are discussed.
    Keywords: inclusive education; financial sustainability, gender economic inclusion
    JEL: E23 F21 F30 L96 O55
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:abh:wpaper:21/009&r=
  2. By: Antonia Grohmann; Jana Hamdan
    Abstract: This paper examines the effect of reduced self-control on impulsive borrowing in a laboratory experiment. We manipulate self-control using an ego depletion task and show that it is effective. Following the ego depletion task, participants can anonymously buy hot drinks on credit. We find no significant average effects, but find that treated individuals that have low financial literacy are more likely to borrow impulsively. We complement our experimental analysis with survey evidence that suggests that people with low self-control have more problems with the repayment of consumer debt. This relationship is, in line with the experimental results, weaker for individuals with high financial literacy.
    Keywords: Debt, consumption, borrowing, self-control, ego depletion
    JEL: D14 G51 C91
    Date: 2021
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1950&r=
  3. By: Luc Arrondel (PSE - Paris School of Economics - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - ENS Paris - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS Paris - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Marlene Haupt (University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten); María Mancebón (University of Zaragoza - Universidad de Zaragoza [Zaragoza]); Gianni Nicolini (University of Rome "Tor Vergeta" - University of Rome "Tor Vergeta"); Manuel Wälti (Swiss National Bank - Swiss National Bank); Jasmira Wiersma (University of Groningen [Groningen])
    Abstract: If the idea of familiarizing individuals with savings is an old one, it is especially since the early 2000s that the economist's modern concept of financial literacy has been the object of particular attention. The literature, essentially empirical, has developed considerably since then. It is during this period that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) launched its Financial Literacy Programme. The objective of this chapter was to describe financial literacy and financial education programs in Western Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. A first observation concerns financial literacy: to varying degrees, the residents of these countries are far from financially literate. A second observation concerns the heterogeneity of financial literacy. In all countries, financial literacy depends on age, education, and gender (higher among men, older people, and graduates). Some determinants appear to be more specific to the culture of each country (for example, political opinion in France, political past history in Germany (West vs. East), or language area in Switzerland). Finally, it appears that financial education programs have been in Western Europe since the mid-2000s, probably offered more systematically in centralized countries.
    Date: 2020–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:psewpa:halshs-03243830&r=
  4. By: Bhutta, Neil; Fuster, Andreas; Hizmo, Aurel
    Abstract: We document wide dispersion in the mortgage rates that households pay on identical loans, and show that borrowers' financial sophistication is an important determinant of the rates obtained. We estimate a gap between the 10th and 90th percentile mortgage rate that borrowers with the same characteristics obtain for identical loans, in the same market, on the same day, of 54 basis points--equivalent to about $6,500 in upfront costs (points) for the average loan. Time-invariant lender attributes explain little of this rate dispersion, and considerable dispersion remains even within loan officer. Comparing the rates borrowers obtain to the real-time distribution of rates that lenders could offer for the same loan and borrower type, we find that borrowers who are likely to be the least financially savvy tend to substantially overpay relative to the rates available in the market. In the time series, the average overpayment decreases when overall market interest rates rise, suggesting that a rising level of borrowing costs encourages more search and negotiation. Furthermore, new survey data provide direct evidence that fiancial knowledge and shopping both affect the mortgage rates borrowers get, and that shopping activity increases with the level of market rates.
    Keywords: financial literacy; household finance; mortgage market; price dispersion
    JEL: E43 G21 G51 G53
    Date: 2020–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:14924&r=
  5. By: Tabea Bucher-Koenen (ZEW-Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research and Mannheim University); Andreas Hackethal (Goethe University Frankfurt and SAFE); Johannes Koenen (ARCEcon); Christine Laudenbach (University of Bonn)
    Abstract: We show that financial advisors recommend more costly products to female clients, based on minutes from about 27,000 real-world advisory meetings and client portfolio data. Funds recom-mended to women have higher expense ratios controlling for risk, and women less often receive rebates on upfront fees for any given fund. We develop a model relating these findings to client stereotyping, and empirically verify an additional prediction: Women (but not men) with higher financial aptitude reject recommendations more frequently. Women state a preference for delegat-ing financial decisions, but appear unaware of associated higher costs. Evidence of stereotyping is stronger for male advisors.
    Keywords: credence goods, financial aptitude, consumer protection, financial literacy, discrimination
    JEL: G2 E2 D8
    Date: 2021–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:095&r=
  6. By: Ojo/Roedl, Marianne
    Abstract: The implications of COVID developments for monetary policy will certainly extend beyond the increased use of digital platforms and payments. The current environment is also focused on smart green techniques and green initiatives aimed at promoting a transition to a net zero based carbon emissions economy. During the onset of the pandemic, it was initially thought that carbon emissions would fall drastically – given the impact of the pandemic, not only on the airlines industry, but also as a result of “Stay at Home” measures imposed by jurisdictions, which even made it illegal to drive to certain places, where purposes for doing so were unjustified. However, the pandemic has also witnessed unprecedented levels in digital subscriptions, online sales and marketing – also fueled through digital payments and the use of digital platforms and distributed ledger technologies in facilitating cashless payments – cash, namely bank notes and coins, also being considered to be a medium of COVID transmission. Coupled with attributes such speed, convenience and ease, the need for financial inclusion has also become an objective in facilitating the era of innovative digital means of payments. As well as considering the current implications of measures that have been instigated to address the impacts of the pandemic, drawing from past and current lessons from selected jurisdictions, this paper also considers why the transition to a net zero carbon economy may prove more challenging than may first appear. However, jurisdictional differences and historical developments will play a part in determining how sustainable certain implemented policies and measures are – as well as in facilitating a transition to normality.
    Keywords: EU Green Deal; sustainable finance, interest rates; inflation; pandemic asset purchase program (PEPP); APP asset purchase program; longer term financing operations; transition risks; financial stability; CBDCs
    JEL: E5 G21 G28 G3 G38 K2
    Date: 2021–06–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:108119&r=

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