A selection of current research from the Consumer Finance Initiative
We'd be happy to connect you with any of the researchers below. Please address any inquiries to aschoar@mit.edu
A Dynamic Theory of Lending Standards
Fishman, Michael J., Jonathan A. Parker, and Ludwig Straub. The Review of Financial Studies. Forthcoming (Spring 2024)
This paper examines the practice of increased due diligence by banks in their evaluation of prospective borrowers, and the subsequent effect on the credit market.
Are Cryptos Different? Evidence from Retail Trading
Kogan, Shimon, Igor Makarov, Marina Niessner and Antoinette Schoar, Journal of Financial Economics, Forthcoming (Spring 2024)
This paper examines the factors that cause retail investors to select cryptocurrencies over more traditional investment opportunities such as stocks or gold, and the resulting rapid growth of the crypto market over the last decade.
Demand-side and Supply-side Constraints in the Market for Financial Advice
Reuter, Jonathan and Antoinette Schoar. Annual Review of Financial Economics. Forthcoming (Spring 2024)
This paper explores less-frequently considered factors that contribute to a lack, or low quality of, financial advice for consumers. Reuter et al. propose that changes to regulation and new developments in financial technology could increase the number of households seeking, and benefiting from, financial advice.
Who Benefits from Retirement Saving Incentives in the U.S.? Evidence on Racial Gaps in Retirement Wealth Accumulation
Choukhmane, Taha, Jorge Colmenares, Cormac O'Dea, Jonathan Rothbaum, and Lawrence D.W. Schmidt. MIT Sloan Working Paper 6592-2. November 2023
This paper examines and proposes solutions to address the disproportionate distribution and lifetime effect of defined contribution retirement savings across racial groups in the United States.
In the news: Marketplace, June 2024, Wall Street Journal, May 2024
Presented at the 2024 FDIC Consumer Research Symposium
Retail Financial Innovation and Stock Market Dynamics: The Case of Target Date Funds
Parker, Jonathan A., Antoinette Schoar, and Yang Sun. Journal of Finance Vol. 78, No. 5 (2023)
Parker et al. analyze the accelerated adoption of Target Date Funds and their impact on retail investor behavior, as well as their potential impact on stock market stability.
An IV Hazard Model of Loan Default with an Application to Subprime Mortgage Cohorts
Palmer, Christopher John (NBER Working Paper #32000, Revise and resubmit, Journal of Finance), Working Paper December 2023
This study develops econometric tools to disentangle the effects of lending standards and collateral prices on loan default. Using this methodology and subprime MBS data, the study shows that declining home prices explain much of the so-called vintage effects in subprime mortgage default.
How Do Consumers Finance Increased Retirement Savings?
Choukhmane, Taha and Christopher John Palmer, Working Paper. November 2023
In this study, institutional financial data in the United Kingdom indicates that increased employee retirement contributions may not translate into increased wealth accumulation when an increase in savings contributions is not matched by a decrease in spending by individuals.
Silicon Valley Bank and the Changing Structure of Banking
Parker, Jonathan A. TechREG Chronicle, Competition Policy International, August 2023.
Parker analyzes a series of bank failures in early 2023 and the subsequent policy response. The paper examines new developments in banking and technology and their potential impact on the status quo.
The Last Mile of Monetary Policy: Inattention, Reminders, and the Refinancing Channel
Byrne, Shane, Kenneth Devine, Michael King and Yvonne McCarthy and Christopher Palmer, NBER Working Paper No. w31043. May 2023
Partnering with the Central Bank of Ireland, Byrne et al. examine an experiment designed to increase the practice of loan refinancing among inattentive mortgage holders. The adoption of behaviorally informed financial communications, and regulatory efforts to support them, would have a positive impact on borrowers.
Anatomy of a Run: The Terra Luna Crash
Liu, Jiageng, Igor Makarov, and Antoinette Schoar, MIT Sloan Working Paper 6847-23. April 2023
Liu et al. examine the Terra Luna cryptocurrency crash of May 2022 and determine the environmental and individual factors that contributed to the collapse and to the degrees of loss across the investor pool.
To be presented at The Western Finance Association Conference, June 2024