Financial Literacy Externalities

Forthcoming, Review of Financial Studies

Posted: 20 May 2019

See all articles by Michael Haliassos

Michael Haliassos

Goethe University Frankfurt - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration; CEPR; NETSPAR; Goethe University Frankfurt - Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability (IMFS)

Thomas Jansson

Sveriges Riksbank - Research Division

Yigitcan Karabulut

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management; CEPR

Multiple version iconThere are 4 versions of this paper

Date Written: April 19, 2019

Abstract

This paper uses unique administrative data and a quasi-field experiment of exogenous allocation 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 exposure and of a social multiplier of financial knowledge, but also of unfavorable distributional aspects of externalities. Exposure promotes saving in private retirement accounts and stockholding, especially when neighbors have economics or business education, but only for educated households and when interaction possibilities are substantial. Findings point to transfer of knowledge rather than mere imitation or effects through labor, education, or mobility channels.

Keywords: household finance, financial literacy, social interactions, refugees

JEL Classification: G11, E21, D14, F22, I28

Suggested Citation

Haliassos, Michael and Jansson, Thomas and Karabulut, Yigitcan, Financial Literacy Externalities (April 19, 2019). Forthcoming, Review of Financial Studies, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3376036

Michael Haliassos (Contact Author)

Goethe University Frankfurt - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration ( email )

Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 3
PF H32
Frankfurt am Main, D-60323
Germany

CEPR

London
United Kingdom

NETSPAR ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Goethe University Frankfurt - Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability (IMFS) ( email )

Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1
Frankfurt, 60323
Germany

Thomas Jansson

Sveriges Riksbank - Research Division ( email )

S-103 37 Stockholm
Sweden

Yigitcan Karabulut

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management ( email )

Adickesallee 32-34
Frankfurt am Main, 60322
Germany

CEPR ( email )

London
United Kingdom

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