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Too much trade: the hidden problem of adverse selection

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  • De Meza, David
  • Reito, Francesco
  • Reyniers, Diane J.

Abstract

Adverse selection famously leads to the crowding out of socially beneficial trades. We show that even more trades may be simultaneously crowded in. The reason is that, in the absence of complete unravelling, “lemons” fetch more under adverse selection. It is demonstrated how these “bad” trades occur in insurance, credit and used-car markets, and some policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • De Meza, David & Reito, Francesco & Reyniers, Diane J., 2021. "Too much trade: the hidden problem of adverse selection," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 112574, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:112574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Distefano, Rosaria, 2022. "The social cost of playing by the rules in the credit market," MPRA Paper 115326, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Chih-Hsiung Chang, 2022. "Information Asymmetry and Card Debt Crisis in Taiwan," Bulletin of Applied Economics, Risk Market Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 123-145.
    3. Yann Braouezec & John Cagnol, 2023. "Theoretical Foundations of Community Rating by a Private Monopolist Insurer: Framework, Regulation, and Numerical Analysis," Papers 2309.15269, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2023.
    4. Liran Einav & Amy Finkelstein, 2023. "Empirical analyses of selection and welfare in insurance markets: a self-indulgent survey," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 48(2), pages 167-191, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    adverse selection; insurance; credit; used cars;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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