Financial literacy externalities

Authors Haliassos, Karabulut, Jansson
Journal Review of Financial Studies
Year 2020
Type Published Paper
Abstract This paper uses unique administrative data and a quasi-field experiment of exogenous allocation to apartments in Sweden to estimate medium- and longer-run effects on financial behavior from exposure to financially literate neighbors. It contributes evidence of causal impact of financial literacy and points to a social multiplier of effective programs to enhance it. Exposure promotes saving in private retirement accounts and stockholding, especially when neighbors have economics or business education, but only for educated or male-headed households. Findings point to relevant knowledge transfer through social interactions rather than to labor market or other channels linked to local economic conditions.
URL https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhz076
Tags Archival Empirical  |   Financing- and Investment Decisions (Individual)