Is Technology-Enhanced Credit Counseling as Effective as In-Person Delivery?

Networks Financial Institute: Working Paper Series: 2012-WP-05

31 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2012

See all articles by John Barron

John Barron

Purdue University - Department of Economics

Michael E. Staten

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: June 21, 2012

Abstract

This paper compares outcomes for borrowers who received face-to-face credit counseling with similarly situated consumers who opted for counseling via the telephone or internet. Counseling outcomes are measured using consumer credit report attributes one or more years following the original counseling. The primary analysis utilizes data from a sample of 26,000 consumers who received credit counseling either in-person or via the telephone during 2003. A second sample of 12,000 clients counseled in 2005 and 2006 was provided by one of the agencies to examine internet delivery. Technology-assisted delivery was found to generate outcomes no worse – and at some margins better – than face-to-face delivery of counseling services.

Suggested Citation

Barron, John M. and Staten, Michael E., Is Technology-Enhanced Credit Counseling as Effective as In-Person Delivery? (June 21, 2012). Networks Financial Institute: Working Paper Series: 2012-WP-05, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2088917 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2088917

John M. Barron (Contact Author)

Purdue University - Department of Economics ( email )

West Lafayette, IN 47907-1310
United States
765-494-4451 (Phone)
765-494-9658 (Fax)

Michael E. Staten

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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