Publication:
Are Psychometric Tools a Viable Screening Method for Small and Medium-Size Enterprise Lending? Evidence from Peru

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Date
2017-12
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Published
2017-12
Author(s)
Arraiz, Irani
Ruiz Ortega, Claudia
Stucchi, Rodolfo
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Abstract
This study collaborated with the Entrepreneurial Finance Lab and a large bank in Peru to use psychometrics for small and medium-size enterprise lending. Applicants used a psychometric tool and those who achieved a score higher than a threshold were offered a loan. Using a regression discontinuity design and credit bureau data, the study finds that the tool increased small and medium-size enterprise loan use by up to 59 percentage points for applicants without a credit history, without leading to worse repayment behavior. This increase in borrowing resulted primarily from financial institutions other than the partner bank. For applicants with a credit history, the tool did not increase small and medium-size enterprise loan use.
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Citation
Arraiz, Irani; Ruiz Ortega, Claudia; Stucchi, Rodolfo; Bruhn, Miriam. 2017. Are Psychometric Tools a Viable Screening Method for Small and Medium-Size Enterprise Lending? Evidence from Peru. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 8276. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/29012 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
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