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Natural disasters and financial technology adoption

Author

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  • Barros, Fernando
  • Delalibera, Bruno R.
  • Neto, Valdemar Pinho
  • Rangel, Victor

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of natural disasters on the adoption of PIX payments in Brazilian municipalities. Using data from multiple sources, including the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development of Brazil, the Central Bank of Brazil, and the Monthly Banking Statistics by Municipality database, we employ the Differences-in-Differences method to measure the effect of disasters on PIX adoption. Our findings reveal a significant and positive impact of natural disasters on the utilization of PIX among households. Additionally, we observe that the intensity of the disasters influences PIX adoption, with more severe disasters exerting a greater impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Barros, Fernando & Delalibera, Bruno R. & Neto, Valdemar Pinho & Rangel, Victor, 2025. "Natural disasters and financial technology adoption," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0165176524005767
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2024.112092
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Disasters; Technology adoption; Electronic payments; Financial flows;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes

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