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Savings, Credit, and Insurance: Household Demand for Formal Financial Services in Rural Ghana

Author

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  • Mirko Bendig
  • Lena Giesbert
  • Susan Steiner

Abstract

This paper argues that the study of the demand for financial services in developing countries leaves out part of the story if it looks at only one of the three elements of the so-called finance trinity—that is, savings products, loans and insurance—as is largely done in the literature. In contrast to previous research, this study assumes that households’ choices for any of these services are strongly interconnected. Therefore, the paper simultaneously estimates the determinants of household demand for savings, loans and insurance by applying a multivariate probit model to household survey data from rural Ghana. On the one hand, the estimation results confirm the common finding that poorer households are less likely to participate in the formal financial sector than better-off households. On the other hand, there is empirical evidence that the use of savings products, loans and insurance depends not only on the socioeconomic status of households, but also on various other factors, such as households’ risk assessment and past exposure to shocks. In addition, trust in the providing institution and its products appear to play a key role.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirko Bendig & Lena Giesbert & Susan Steiner, 2009. "Savings, Credit, and Insurance: Household Demand for Formal Financial Services in Rural Ghana," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 7609, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    • Handle: RePEc:bwp:bwppap:7609
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    7. Arun, Thankom Gopinath & Bendig, Mirko, 2010. "Risk Management among the Poor: The Case of Microfinancial Services," IZA Discussion Papers 5174, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Gyimah-Brempong, Kwabena & Olomola, Aderibigbe, 2014. "Loan demand and rationing among small-scale farmers in Nigeria," IFPRI discussion papers 1403, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    9. Tuan, Truong Anh & Nam, Pham Khanh & Loan, Le Thanh, 2022. "The impact of health insurance on households’ financial choices: Evidence from Vietnam," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 264-276.
    10. Victoria Wanjiku Wokabi & Olanrewaju Isola Fatoki, 2019. "Determinants of Financial Inclusion In East Africa," International Journal of Business and Management, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 7(1), pages 125-143, May.
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    12. Bendig, Mirko & Arun, Thankom Gopinath, 2011. "Enrolment in Micro Life and Health Insurance: Evidences from Sri Lanka," IZA Discussion Papers 5427, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    15. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata & Shri Dewi Applanaidu & Sallahuddin Hassan, 2016. "Determinants of Demand for Credit: A Conceptual Review," Asian Journal of Economics and Empirical Research, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 3(1), pages 6-10.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • R22 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Other Demand

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