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Psychometrics as a Tool to Improve Screening and Access to Credit

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  • Arráiz, Irani
  • Bruhn, Miriam
  • Stucchi, Rodolfo

Abstract

This paper studies the use of psychometric tests, designed by the Entrepreneurial Finance Lab (EFL), as a tool to screen out high credit risk and potentially increase access to credit for small business owners in Peru. We use administrative data covering the period from June 2011 to April 2014 to compare debt accrual and repayment behavior patterns across entrepreneurs who were offered a loan based on the traditional credit-scoring method versus the EFL tool. We find that the psychometric test can lower the risk of the loan portfolio when used as a secondary screening mechanism for already banked entrepreneurs---i.e., those with a credit history. For unbanked entrepreneurs---i.e., those without a credit history---using the EFL tool can increase access to credit without increasing portfolio risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Arráiz, Irani & Bruhn, Miriam & Stucchi, Rodolfo, 2015. "Psychometrics as a Tool to Improve Screening and Access to Credit," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 7266, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:7266
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.18235/0000199
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asymmetric information; Psychometric tests; Access to credit; Credit risk;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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