As access to increasingly sophisticated financial services expands, the gap between access and the financial capability of individuals - the ability to take healthy financial decisions - widens. Bridging this gap requires improving knowledge and information around financial services and improving the tools used for decision making.
The conference included presentations by leading development economists, as well as panel discussions with key practitioners and policymakers. The conference was held on May 31 - June 1, 2013 and organized by Innovations for Poverty Action under the Citi IPA Financial Capability Research Fund, with support from the Citi Foundation and in collaboration with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (JPAL) and Universidad del Pacífico.
OPENING KEYNOTE
Is Entrepreneurship Among the Poor a Way to Growth?
Abhijit Banerjee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology & J-PAL
SESSION I:
FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING
The Impact of a Financial Education Program in Schools - Brazil
Bilal Zia, World Bank
Financial Literacy Training to Promote Savings and the Responsible Credit Card Use - Mexico
Gabriel Lara-Ibarra, World Bank
Comments: Andrea Stiles, Aval Consulting
SESSION II:
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
Keeping it Simple: Financial Education using Rules of Thumbs - Dominican Republic
Aishwarya Lakshmi Ratan, Yale University and Innovations for Poverty Action
Effectiveness of Credit Disclosure - Mexico
Xavier Giné, World Bank
Comments: Jorge Rubio, Citi Microfinance
PANEL:
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION
Ana Pantelic, Fundación Capital
Graham Macmillan, Citi Foundation
Mercedes de Canalda, Banco ADOPEM
Moderator: Beniamino Savonitto, Innovations for Poverty Action
SESSION III:
PRODUCT DESIGN - ADDRESSING COMMITMENT FAILURES
Control and Pricing of Remittances - El Salvador
Claudia Martinez Alvear, Universidad de Chile
Commitment Savings
Dean Karlan, Yale University and Innovations for Poverty Action
Comments: Pablo de la Flor, Banco BCP
PANEL:
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR COMMITMENT PRODUCTS
Alfonso Nuñez Ortiz, Caja Nuestra Gente
Margaret McConnell, Harvard University
Nobuyuki Otsuka, Inter-American Development Bank
Moderator: Martín Valdivia, Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Financial Capability in Peru
Carolina Trivelli, Minister of Development and Social Inclusion
Introduction: Monica Perales, Citi Peru
PANEL:
EVIDENCE FROM COMPARTAMOS BANCO'S CRÉDITO MUJER - MEXICO
Dean Karlan, Yale University and Innovations for Poverty Action
Mónica French, Compartamos Banco
Abhijit Banerjee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and J-PAL
Moderator: Adam Kemmis-Betty, Innovations for Poverty Action
comments (Abhjit Banerjee) -
video
SESSION IV:
PRODUCT DESIGN - ADDRESSING ATTENTION FAILURES
Improving a Conditional Cash Transfer Program - Colombia
Beniamino Savonitto, Innovations for Poverty Action
Reminders to Save
Margaret McConnell, Harvard University
Comments: Hector Mancera Reynoso, Bansefi
PANEL:
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR REMINDERS AND DEFAULT DEPOSITS
Amanda Rico, Ecofuturo
Johanna Yancari, Instituto de Estudios Peruanos
Xavier Giné, World Bank
Moderator: Matthew Bird, Universidad del Pacifíco
CLOSING REMARKS
Product Innovations
Dean Karlan, Yale University and Innovations for Poverty Action
Citi IPA Financial Capability Matchmaking Program
The matchmaking event paired pre-selected researchers and practitioners with compatible interests in testing and evaluating products, services, and other interventions designed to improve beneficiaries’ abilities to make informed decisions about the use and management of their money. Researchers and practitioners met with potential matches to exchange ideas, develop a common pitch for a joint research project, and apply for research preparation grants.
Prior to the event, on May 28-29, selected Spanish-speaking participants in the matchmaking program were given the opportunity to attend the workshop "Taller sobre Impacto y Evaluación de Productos en Capacidad Financiera", on randomized evaluations to improve financial capability. The agenda can be found here and materials from the training can be found here.
Key statistics from the program:
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107 applications to participate in the matchmaking program. We received applications from 57 practitioners and 50 researchers.
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28 selected participants were invited to participate in the matchamaking program: 15 practitioners and 13 researchers.
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13 applications received.
This event is organized in collaboration with:
City
Lima
Country
Peru
