Financial literacy and shrouded credit card rewards

Credit card companies charge an interchange fee for each transaction, and almost half of this fee is returned to consumers in the form of a reward or perk program. Among credit card users who do not use cards for borrowing (convenience users), rewards are a means to negotiate the implicit price of the interchange fee. Any consumer whose time cost is less than the value of rebates should rationally choose a reward card. Half of convenience users do not own a reward card. We hypothesize that credit card companies segment customers by marketing non-salient credit card characteristics to appeal to naïve consumers while offering lower-price cards (net the rebate) to compete for more sophisticated consumers as suggested in Gabaix and Laibson (2006). Consumer sophistication is measured using a 20-question financial literacy instrument in a large national data set. When household characteristics such as education, income and wealth are controlled in a multivariate analysis, respondents in the highest financial literacy quintile were twice as likely to own a rewards card. The relation between literacy and reward cards provides evidence that credit card rebates resemble other markets where hidden product attributes create a welfare transfer from naïve to sophisticated consumers.     

The impact of wealth on financial mistakes: Evidence from credit card non-payment

Recent research finds that poorer individuals make financial mistakes when the decisions are difficult and rare. We examine who makes financial mistakes involving decisions that are easier and more frequent – specifically, the inadvertent failure to pay monthly credit card balances when sufficient funds are available. On the one hand poorer individuals may make such mistakes because of lower levels of financial literacy. Alternatively, richer individuals may make such mistakes because of the relatively lower costs to them of such mistakes. We examine this question using confidential individual credit card statement data, with over a million data points. Our results show that poorer individuals are more likely to make these mistakes, even after controlling for education.     

Financial literacy and financial resilience: Evidence from around the world

We measure financial literacy using questions assessing basic knowledge of four fundamental concepts in financial decision making: knowledge of interest rates, interest compounding, inflation, and risk diversification. Worldwide, just one in three adults are financially literate—that is, they know at least three out of the four financial concepts. Women, poor adults, and lower educated respondents are more likely to suffer from gaps in financial knowledge. This is true not only in developing countries but also in countries with well-developed financial markets. Relatively low financial literacy levels exacerbate consumer and financial market risks as increasingly complex financial instruments enter the market. Credit products, many of which carry high interest rates and complex terms and conditions, are becoming more readily available. Yet only around half of adults in major emerging countries who use a credit card or borrow from a financial institution are financially literate. We discuss policies to protect borrowers against risks and encourage account holders to save.     

The Importance of Adverse Selection in the Credit Card Market: Evidence from Randomized Trials of Credit Card Solicitations

Analyzing unique data from multiple large‐scale randomized marketing trials of preapproved credit card solicitations by a large financial institution, we find that consumers responding to the lender's inferior solicitation offers have poorer credit quality attributes. This finding supports the argument that riskier type borrowers are liquidity or credit constrained and, thus, have higher reservation loan interest rates. We also find a more severe deterioration ex post in the credit quality of the booked accounts of inferior offer types relative to superior offers. After controlling for a cardholder's observable risk attributes, demographic characteristics, and adverse economic shocks, we find that cardholders who responded to the inferior credit card offers are significantly more likely to default ex post. Our results provide evidence on the importance of adverse selection effects in the credit card market.     

金融知识与小微企业创新意识、创新活力——基于中国小微企业调查(CMES)的实证研究

根据人力资本理论的解释,金融知识体现了小微企业主对经济金融相关信息的认知与决策、以及使用正规金融工具与服务的能力,因此将作用于小微企业的创新意识与创新活力。实证结果发现,金融知识显著提升了小微企业的创新意识,表现为更重视创新的必要性与员工的创新能力,也有效改善了创新活力。这对相关政府部门与金融机构进一步普及金融知识与开展面向小微企业主的培训,提供了积极的数据支持。进一步分析表明,金融知识通过市场认知机制与信贷约束机制分别作用于创新意识与创新活力。在市场化高、非国有经济发展好、金融市场化高的地区,小微企业的创新活力强而创新意识不强,金融知识的作用主要在于提升创新意识,即提升市场认知机制发挥作用;而在市场化低、非国有经济发展差、金融市场化低的地区,小微企业的创新意识强而创新活力不强,金融知识的作用主要在于提升创新活力,即缓解需求抑制型信贷约束的机制发挥作用。     

The implications of the FTC's clear and conspicuous standards for the communication of credit card information to young consumers

College students are an important target market for credit card companies and are substantial users of this form of credit, even though they may not have the appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions regarding credit cards. Specific to financial services marketing, the focus of this study is to ascertain whether college-age students recall and understand disclosed information in credit card commercials. This study analyzes the effectiveness of three disclosure standards advocated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which are intended to ensure that consumers (such as college students) are appropriately informed. Specifically, this study focuses on: (1) modality, (2) audience consideration and (3) distraction level present during the disclosure presentation. Tests of the impact of these standards on consumer recall and comprehension of disclosed information have been mixed and the extant research has failed to test all of the standards in combination. An important contribution that this research makes is the reconciliation of differences found in previous research, while revealing the effects that implementing multiple FTC standards has on college students’ recall and comprehension, perceptions of recall and comprehension, and attitudes and behavioral intentions.     

The implications of the FTC's clear and conspicuous standards for the communication of credit card information to young consumers

College students are an important target market for credit card companies and are substantial users of this form of credit, even though they may not have the appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions regarding credit cards. Specific to financial services marketing, the focus of this study is to ascertain whether college-age students recall and understand disclosed information in credit card commercials. This study analyzes the effectiveness of three disclosure standards advocated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which are intended to ensure that consumers (such as college students) are appropriately informed. Specifically, this study focuses on: (1) modality, (2) audience consideration and (3) distraction level present during the disclosure presentation. Tests of the impact of these standards on consumer recall and comprehension of disclosed information have been mixed and the extant research has failed to test all of the standards in combination. An important contribution that this research makes is the reconciliation of differences found in previous research, while revealing the effects that implementing multiple FTC standards has on college students’ recall and comprehension, perceptions of recall and comprehension, and attitudes and behavioral intentions.     

Financial literacy and consumer credit portfolios

We use survey data from a sample of UK households to analyse the relationship between financial literacy and consumer credit portfolios. We show that individuals who borrow on consumer credit exhibit worse financial literacy than those who do not. Borrowers with poor financial literacy hold higher shares of high cost credit (such as home collected credit, mail order catalogue debt and payday loans) than those with higher literacy. We also show that individuals with poor financial literacy are more likely to lack confidence when interpreting credit terms, and to exhibit confusion over financial concepts. They are also less likely to engage in behaviour which might help them to improve their awareness of the credit market.     

Adverse selection,search costs and sticky credit card rates

Several scholars of financial economics observed that during the 1980s, market interest rates declined continuously with little or no impact on credit card rates. Recently, Meyercord (1994), Sinkey and Nash (1993), and Sullivan and Worden (1995) recorded significant changes in the credit card market indicating an increased level competition. This study represents an attempt to determine the sensitivity of credit card rates to the costs of funds in the U.S. economy. The evidence from the Johansen Cointegration test confirms that credit card rates and cost of funds posses a long-run equilibrium relationship with one another. Furthermore, the results of the error correction models are indicative of a sluggish rate at which credit card interest rates adjust to the costs of funds. Between 1982 and 1994, credit card rates adjust to changes in the cost of funds at about 15 percent per quarter. These results represent anecdotal evidence for the validity of adverse selection, search and switch costs explanation that have been discussed in the financial contracting literature.     

Understanding credit card payment behavior among college students

College students remain a lucrative target market for credit card companies even after the advent of the Credit Card Act of 2009. Unfortunately, many students are not prepared to use credit responsibly or make payments in a timely manner. Numerous studies reveal risky student credit behaviors, lack of credit knowledge or irresponsible management of credit. However, there remains a need for more information on college students’ payment behaviors. This paper aims to explain credit card payment behavior among college students by segmenting college students into payment behavior groupings. Using an online survey, students provided their credit card payment activity and demographic characteristics. The results of this study shed light on different credit card payment behaviors by segmenting college students into four behavioral segments based on useful characteristics. Clear distinctions exist between segments who behave in responsible ways versus those who do not practice responsible behaviors. These segmentation results add to the understanding of Lyons (2004; Journal of Consumer Affairs 38 (1): 56–80) who determined a means of identifying Financially at Risk students (FAR) with payment behavior. Given potentially dangerous effects of targeted credit card marketing to college students, findings about payment behavior of college students will help policymakers, credit card companies and college administrators.     

Financial literacy and its consequences: Evidence from Russia during the financial crisis

The ability of consumers to make informed financial decisions improves their ability to develop sound personal finance. This paper uses a panel data set from Russia, an economy in which household debt has grown at an astounding rate, to examine the importance of financial literacy and its effects on behavior. The paper studies both the financial and real consequences of financial illiteracy. Even though consumer borrowing increased very rapidly in Russia, only 41% of respondents demonstrate an understanding of interest compounding and only 46% can answer a simple question about inflation. Financial literacy is positively related to participation in financial markets and negatively related to the use of informal sources of borrowing. Moreover, individuals with higher financial literacy are significantly less likely to report experiencing a negative income shock during 2009 and have greater availability of unspent income and higher spending capacity. The relationship between financial literacy and availability of unspent income is higher in 2009, suggesting that financial literacy may better equip individuals to deal with macroeconomic shocks.     

后金融危机时代中国信用卡产业的发展

信用卡资产证券化对美国信用卡危机的爆发起到了推波助澜的作用。与美国相比,我国信用卡产业总体运行状况良好,并未受到国际金融危机的严重冲击,市场拓展速度不断加快,风险控制要求更高,外包经营需求显现。但由于多种不稳定因素依然存在,产业发展之路并不平坦。各银行在后金融危机时代的信用卡业务发展中,要平衡市场拓展与风险管理之间的关系,在转型中谋发展,适时调整经营策略,注重产品与业务创新,密切加强与有关部门的交流与合作,从各个环节实施更为严格的风险管理措施,借助后台业务外包加速产业价值链整合,促进国内信用卡产业健康发展。     

Teaching financial literacy in a co-curricular service-learning model

The current economic environment has brought to light the financial literacy epidemic in this country. A lack of personal financial education has contributed to the increase in consumer credit debt, a trend evident for many college students who often have significant credit card debt. One way to combat this problem is through financial literacy education. This paper describes a service-learning project implemented through a Beta Alpha Psi chapter, which fulfills the educational objectives of the accounting curriculum and addresses an educational need. The project provides reciprocity of learning between members of Beta Alpha Psi and their audience, college underclassmen. The results indicate that the project is successful in educating both presenters and audience members on basic financial knowledge as well as developing technical and communication skills of Beta Alpha Psi members. The project outline presented in this paper provides a framework for others to use.     

消费金融创新与监管:欧美经验、教训与启示

本文针对消费金融市场金融服务和产品不断创新化和复杂化的趋势以及消费者金融素养参差不齐的现状,从消费者、金融机构和监管部门三个角度分析目前消费金融市场的问题,综述近年来欧美颁布的重要消费金融监管政策和计划,涵盖信用卡借贷、抵押贷款再融资、贷款合同条款再协商、消费者保护等领域,详细阐述其实施的经济效果,以期为中国未来政策的制定提供有效参考。从发达国家消费金融监管的经验教训来看,应重视信息呈现方式的经济效果,完善披露制度,制定政策时需考虑同目标不同政策组合的合理性与可行性。     

Consumption response to temporary price shock: Evidence from Singapore's annual sale event

Exploiting debit card and credit card transactions of a large, representative sample of consumers from a leading bank in Singapore, we examine the consumption response to an anticipated, transitory price shock generated by the nation-wide annual sale event. Consumers significantly increase their spending during the sale event. More importantly, we find inter-temporal substitution where consumers spend less immediately before the event, and cross-categorical substitution behavior where consumers decrease spending in items unaffected by the sale event. However, consumers exhibit little substitution behavior when they use credit cards or when they are liquidity constrained, highlighting the importance of heterogeneity in assessing the aggregate impact of such stimulus programs.     

Marriage between credit cards and the Internet: Buying is just a click away!

This paper examines whether Internet access positively affects credit card balances. To that end, we compare the 2010 and 2013 Surveys of Consumer Finances, analyze the consistency of the results over time, and provide the rationale for any resulting differences. Using the censored techniques, our results indicate that Internet access has a positive effect on credit card balances, which suggests that consumers with Internet access are prone to higher balances compared to those without. The probability of carrying positive balances was larger in 2010 compared to 2013. Overall, the results suggest that, while the financial crisis might have contributed to higher balances in 2010, the economic recovery afterward seems to have eased the burden of credit card debt.     

信用卡转换成本研究综述

早在上世纪80年代,经济学家开始研究存在转换成本的市场竞争问题。目前,有关转换成本的研究主要集中在电信、银行存款及信用卡等市场领域。研究信用卡转换成本对银行业发展、信用卡产业的发展等具有重要现实意义。本文基于转换成本一般研究基础之上,从转换成本的内涵与类型、对消费者的影响及研究方法等方面对学术界有关信用卡转换成本的研究进行了梳理和概括,以期为今后的信用卡转换成本的深入研究提供参考。     

Credit CARD Act of 2009: What did banks do?

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 was intended to prevent practices in the credit card industry that lawmakers viewed as deceptive and abusive. Among other changes, the Act restricted issuers’ account closure policies, eliminated certain fees, and made it more difficult for issuers to change terms on credit card plans. Critics of the Act argued that because of the long lag between approval and implementation of the law, issuing banks would be able to take preemptive actions that might disadvantage cardholders before the law could take effect. Using credit bureau data as well as individual data from a survey of U.S. consumers, we test whether banks closed consumers’ credit card accounts or otherwise restricted access to credit just before the enactment of the CARD Act. Because the period prior to the enactment of the CARD Act coincided with the financial crisis and recession, causality in this case is particularly difficult to establish. We find evidence that a higher fraction of credit card accounts were closed following the Federal Reserve Board’s adoption of its credit card rules, but not between May 2009, when the CARD Act was signed, and when most of its provisions became law in February 2010. However, we do find evidence that banks deteriorated terms of credit card plans at a higher rate during this period, especially lowered the credit limits. Among the survey respondents whose bank accounts were closed during that period, account holders were much more likely to close their own credit card accounts than to have them closed by their card issuers.     

信用卡、风险应对与城镇家庭股市参与

信用卡市场的发展有利于家庭平滑消费,但是否会影响家庭的投资决策尚缺少事实检验。基于中国家庭金融调查(CHFS)2011和2013年的调查数据,本文首次检验了信用卡对城镇家庭股市投资的影响。研究发现:(1)控制家庭财富、融资渠道、社会资本等特征,持有信用卡在边际上促进了家庭的股市参与率,股市投资额取决于信用额度。(2)中国信用卡市场的发展,并未像流动性约束理论预测的可以平滑消费,反而刺激了家庭风险性资产的配置,最终提高了储蓄率。原因在于,中国家庭更多地将信用卡作为应对未来短期突发性风险的金融工具,从而在当期将更多资产配置在风险资产上,以实现资本积累。使用信用卡数目、信用额度等多种衡量方式,并采用工具变量法(IV)和面板数据固定效应模型等解决内生性问题后,该结论稳健。该研究有助于理解信用卡在中国家庭投资决策的作用,并为流动性约束或有限股市参与假说提供中国经验。     

金融市场开放背景下信用卡业务发展态势研究

信用卡业务是现代商业银行的重点业务,在国内金融市场全面开放后,我国银行业如何迎接这一挑战将在一定程度上影响着自身的竞争能力.本文从分析国内银行卡业务的发展现状出发,详细阐述了信用卡业务竞争激烈的原因、外资银行在信用卡业务上具有的优势,以及国内商业银行在信用卡业务上面临的挑战.在此基础上,提出了国内商业银行应从5个方面改进信用卡业务的经营管理,具体包括更新经营理念、完善相关制度体系、培养专业人才、健全营销机制和提升服务品质.