The Impact of Remittances on Financial Inclusion in Veracruz, Mexico

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Thesis
Title The Impact of Remittances on Financial Inclusion in Veracruz, Mexico
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of a survey conducted among two hundred and sixty households spread in twelve municipalities of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The objective of the study is to assess the impact of remittances on the use of formal financial services of remittances receivers households. Specifically, the indicators used in this analysis are the ownership of a saving account, the frequency of deposit and the obtainment of loans in a time frame of one year. The survey lasted about two months. The sample analysed is a stratified random sample among the three geographical areas of Veracruz, which offers an explanatory power valid for the whole state. The estimation methods used are OLS, Probit, Ordered Probit and afterwards, in order to address the endogeneity of remittances, 2SLS and IV Ordered Probit are applied. The results show a positive impact of remittances on the use of saving services, both on the ownership of saving account and on the frequency of deposit. No impact is found on the obtainment of loans. After the instrumentation the positive impact holds respect to the ownership of a saving account but vanishes respect to the frequency of deposit. The instrument variable used in this study (Acquaintance) is new to the literature and produces interesting findings. Since that receiving remittances appears to be beneficial in increasing the use of financial services; it would be ideal fostering this dynamic in order to support the remittance receivers in make a wise use of them. Especially, considering also the fact that, in the sample used for this analysis, almost the 60% of household that receive remittances are directly saving part of them.

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