RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Effect of Promoting Savings on Informal Risk Sharing
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 963
OP 998
DO 10.3368/jhr.55.3.0917-9077R2
VO 55
IS 3
A1 Dizon, Felipe
A1 Gong, Erick
A1 Jones, Kelly
YR 2020
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/55/3/963.abstract
AB An increase in savings can lead to substitution away from informal risk-sharing arrangements (IRSAs), which can reduce the capacity to manage risk. We conduct a field experiment that promoted mobile bank savings among vulnerable women in Kenya. The savings promotion increased mobile bank savings and reduced risk sharing. However, we show that reduced risk sharing did not reduce the capacity to manage risk. Promoting savings directly improved the ability of women to cope with negative shocks and had no adverse spillover effects on the untreated.