In this PLoS ONE article, Allen, Carbo, Chakravorti, Rodriguez, and Ardic use random forest estimation to identify 14 key predictors out of 190 variables with the largest predictive power for MSMR adoption and usage of digital payments. Using conditional inference trees, we study the importance of sequencing and interactions of...
In this keynote presentation, Chakravorti discusses how FinTech and big tech firms are increasing competition in the payments space. Entry into payments, often allows these non-bank providers the ability to offer loans to underserved consumers and small merchants. In the rest of the talk, Chakravorti discusses the effectiveness of certain...
The adoption of electronic payments and their frequent use is thought of as a first step for broader financial use for traditionally unbanked individuals and merchants. The purpose of this report is to analyze the design, implementation, and efficacy of many incentives implemented by different types of stakeholders around the...
A core function of any banking system is the provision of payments. However, a greater number of non-banks are becoming part of the payments landscape. Payments can be made via fiat or crypto currencies, bank credit or deposits, or funds transfers on the books of non-bank payment providers. Most of...
Carbó, Chakravorti, and Rodriguez study the impact of lowering interchange fees on consumer and merchant adoption and usage along with bank revenues during a ten-year period in Spain using bank-level data. Using cutting-edge econometric techniques, they are able to test two-sided market model predictions about payment card pricing policies. They...
Bob Chakravorti discusses surcharging and honor-all-cards rules for payment cards. Generally, merchants charge the same price regardless of the type of payment instrument used to make purchases. In many jurisdictions, merchants are not allowed to add a surcharge for payment card transactions because of legal (some states in the U.S...
While payment card usage has increased dramatically, the stock of outstanding currency has not declined as rapidly. Amromin and Chakravorti analyze changes in cash demand for 13 advanced economies from 1988 to 2003 by separating cash into three denomination categories to disentangle its store of wealth and payment functions. Defining...