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Social connections and bank deposits

Author

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  • Flynn, Sean
  • Wang, Jing

Abstract

We show that household social connections transmit shocks that influence bank deposits. We find that counties experience an increase in bank deposits when they are more socially connected to counties affected by natural disasters. This effect is not driven by physical proximity, large disasters that attract significant media coverage, or other cross-county channels, including multimarket bank branch networks, population migration, or economic connections. Banks that collect deposits in highly socially-connected counties experience high deposit volatility, but geographic diversification reduces the volatility associated with depositor social connectedness.

Suggested Citation

  • Flynn, Sean & Wang, Jing, 2025. "Social connections and bank deposits," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s0378426625001268
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2025.107506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anyfantaki, Sofia & Martynova, Natalya & Avramidis, Panagiotis, 2026. "Do banks respond to their friends’ markets? Social spillovers in deposit pricing," Working Paper Series 3178, European Central Bank.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General

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