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Questions and Answers
What was the percentage increase in business assets as a result of the grace period?
What was the percentage increase in business assets as a result of the grace period?
How did the introduction of the flexible loan contract affect the likelihood of treated Dabi clients leaving BRAC?
How did the introduction of the flexible loan contract affect the likelihood of treated Dabi clients leaving BRAC?
What does ITT stand for in the context of the estimates presented?
What does ITT stand for in the context of the estimates presented?
What was the total number of eligible borrowers sampled from BRAC branches?
What was the total number of eligible borrowers sampled from BRAC branches?
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What percentage of the SME sample consisted of current BRAC clients?
What percentage of the SME sample consisted of current BRAC clients?
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Which types of sectors were targeted for the census of SMEs?
Which types of sectors were targeted for the census of SMEs?
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How many firms were successfully surveyed at baseline in the SME sample?
How many firms were successfully surveyed at baseline in the SME sample?
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What was one of the explicit flexibilities introduced in the flexible contract evaluated?
What was one of the explicit flexibilities introduced in the flexible contract evaluated?
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How many firms were identified in total through the census of SMEs?
How many firms were identified in total through the census of SMEs?
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Which branches were represented as treatment and control in the study?
Which branches were represented as treatment and control in the study?
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What general characteristic qualified the SMEs for comparison with potential BRAC borrowers?
What general characteristic qualified the SMEs for comparison with potential BRAC borrowers?
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What was the significant change in the aggregate index for the eligible Dabi clients?
What was the significant change in the aggregate index for the eligible Dabi clients?
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Which family of outcomes was positively affected for Dabi clients?
Which family of outcomes was positively affected for Dabi clients?
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What percentage of eligible Dabi clients reported having a business at baseline?
What percentage of eligible Dabi clients reported having a business at baseline?
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What happens to entrepreneurs with assets below the threshold $Ã(φ)$?
What happens to entrepreneurs with assets below the threshold $Ã(φ)$?
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What does the flexible contract allow entrepreneurs to do in the second period?
What does the flexible contract allow entrepreneurs to do in the second period?
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What primarily drove the treatment effects on business outcomes for Dabi clients?
What primarily drove the treatment effects on business outcomes for Dabi clients?
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What is the significance of the asset threshold $Ã(φ)$?
What is the significance of the asset threshold $Ã(φ)$?
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What was the significance level of the increase in the aggregate index for Dabi clients?
What was the significance level of the increase in the aggregate index for Dabi clients?
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How do the treatment effects of Dabi borrowers compare to those of Progoti borrowers?
How do the treatment effects of Dabi borrowers compare to those of Progoti borrowers?
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Under the flexible contract, what project type is encouraged by the availability of repayment vouchers?
Under the flexible contract, what project type is encouraged by the availability of repayment vouchers?
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What condition must be satisfied in the final period for repayment under the flexible contract?
What condition must be satisfied in the final period for repayment under the flexible contract?
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What specific aspects were examined to understand the impact of treatment on business ownership?
What specific aspects were examined to understand the impact of treatment on business ownership?
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What type of projects do entrepreneurs with assets $A ≥ Ã(φ)$ tend to invest in?
What type of projects do entrepreneurs with assets $A ≥ Ã(φ)$ tend to invest in?
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How were the estimates of monetary business outcomes assessed for sensitivity?
How were the estimates of monetary business outcomes assessed for sensitivity?
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What is the role of the repayment voucher in relation to the illiquid project?
What is the role of the repayment voucher in relation to the illiquid project?
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What is the equilibrium interest rate ensuring zero profit?
What is the equilibrium interest rate ensuring zero profit?
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What was the impact of the treatment on the likelihood of eligible Dabi clients owning a business?
What was the impact of the treatment on the likelihood of eligible Dabi clients owning a business?
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How much did treated Dabi borrowers invest in their business assets compared to the mean in the control group?
How much did treated Dabi borrowers invest in their business assets compared to the mean in the control group?
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What does the ITT estimate on annual business profits indicate?
What does the ITT estimate on annual business profits indicate?
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What was the annual revenue increase for eligible Dabi clients in the treatment group?
What was the annual revenue increase for eligible Dabi clients in the treatment group?
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What was the effect of treatment on the monthly profits during the month preceding the survey for Dabi businesses?
What was the effect of treatment on the monthly profits during the month preceding the survey for Dabi businesses?
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What was the main finding regarding the sales volatility of Dabi businesses in the treatment group?
What was the main finding regarding the sales volatility of Dabi businesses in the treatment group?
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What was a significant conclusion drawn about the credit market outcomes for eligible Progoti clients?
What was a significant conclusion drawn about the credit market outcomes for eligible Progoti clients?
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How did costs change for eligible clients who received treatment?
How did costs change for eligible clients who received treatment?
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What is the impact of flexibility in choosing monthly payments in consumer mortgage products?
What is the impact of flexibility in choosing monthly payments in consumer mortgage products?
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A risk-neutral entrepreneur prefers the safer liquid project over the riskier illiquid project.
A risk-neutral entrepreneur prefers the safer liquid project over the riskier illiquid project.
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What does the discount factor (β) represent in the utility function of the entrepreneur?
What does the discount factor (β) represent in the utility function of the entrepreneur?
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If asset illiquidity results from economy-wide shocks, it __________ the firms' debt capacity.
If asset illiquidity results from economy-wide shocks, it __________ the firms' debt capacity.
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Match the following project types with their characteristics:
Match the following project types with their characteristics:
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What is the probability of receiving the return γ or 0 in the illiquid project?
What is the probability of receiving the return γ or 0 in the illiquid project?
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In a three-period economy, the entrepreneur receives income y in every period.
In a three-period economy, the entrepreneur receives income y in every period.
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What happens to an entrepreneur if their assets are below the threshold $Ã(φ)$?
What happens to an entrepreneur if their assets are below the threshold $Ã(φ)$?
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What happens to the level of risk aversion in the borrower pool when repayment flexibility attracts clients who find existing investment technologies risky?
What happens to the level of risk aversion in the borrower pool when repayment flexibility attracts clients who find existing investment technologies risky?
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Repayment flexibility has no impact on the risk taking of borrowers.
Repayment flexibility has no impact on the risk taking of borrowers.
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What type of project is associated with less risk-averse individuals interested in business expansion?
What type of project is associated with less risk-averse individuals interested in business expansion?
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In the context of repayment flexibility, it appeals to borrowers who find the large illiquid project too risky and the large liquid project too _______.
In the context of repayment flexibility, it appeals to borrowers who find the large illiquid project too risky and the large liquid project too _______.
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Which group of entrepreneurs is most likely to select the flexible contract?
Which group of entrepreneurs is most likely to select the flexible contract?
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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The effects of repayment flexibility on borrower risk levels are clearly defined and consistent.
The effects of repayment flexibility on borrower risk levels are clearly defined and consistent.
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What is one mechanism through which vouchers provide support in borrowing?
What is one mechanism through which vouchers provide support in borrowing?
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What was the percentage increase in business assets for treated Dabi borrowers?
What was the percentage increase in business assets for treated Dabi borrowers?
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The treatment group of eligible Dabi clients had lower revenues in comparison to the control group.
The treatment group of eligible Dabi clients had lower revenues in comparison to the control group.
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How much higher was the monthly profit for Dabi businesses in the treatment group compared to the control group?
How much higher was the monthly profit for Dabi businesses in the treatment group compared to the control group?
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The ITT estimate reveals that the treatment group had a sales volatility increase of _________.
The ITT estimate reveals that the treatment group had a sales volatility increase of _________.
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Match the following outcomes with their respective effects on treated Dabi clients:
Match the following outcomes with their respective effects on treated Dabi clients:
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Which of the following is true regarding the treatment's effect on eligible clients?
Which of the following is true regarding the treatment's effect on eligible clients?
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The findings demonstrate that repayment flexibility did not affect business outcomes for eligible Dabi clients.
The findings demonstrate that repayment flexibility did not affect business outcomes for eligible Dabi clients.
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What is the p-value indicating the significance of the increase in the aggregate index for Dabi clients?
What is the p-value indicating the significance of the increase in the aggregate index for Dabi clients?
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Which factor improves conditions for poorer and more able borrowers according to the given information?
Which factor improves conditions for poorer and more able borrowers according to the given information?
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Vouchers have no impact on outcomes when credit and insurance markets are complete.
Vouchers have no impact on outcomes when credit and insurance markets are complete.
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What characteristic do less risk-averse firm owners significantly exhibit according to the data?
What characteristic do less risk-averse firm owners significantly exhibit according to the data?
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Entrepreneurs who experience increased ___ from higher recurrent costs may demand more flexibility in repayment structures.
Entrepreneurs who experience increased ___ from higher recurrent costs may demand more flexibility in repayment structures.
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Match each element with its effect:
Match each element with its effect:
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What potential risk might present-biased borrowers face under the flexible loan?
What potential risk might present-biased borrowers face under the flexible loan?
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Higher recurrent costs can prevent riskier projects from being undertaken by small firms.
Higher recurrent costs can prevent riskier projects from being undertaken by small firms.
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What is one of the consequences of a large share of new borrowers having time-inconsistent preferences?
What is one of the consequences of a large share of new borrowers having time-inconsistent preferences?
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What type of loan is primarily meant for microenterprises with family workers in Bangladesh?
What type of loan is primarily meant for microenterprises with family workers in Bangladesh?
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BRAC's Dabi loans require collateral of equal value to the loan amount.
BRAC's Dabi loans require collateral of equal value to the loan amount.
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What is the average size of a Dabi loan provided by BRAC?
What is the average size of a Dabi loan provided by BRAC?
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The annual interest rate for both Dabi and Progoti loans is _____%.
The annual interest rate for both Dabi and Progoti loans is _____%.
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Match the loan types with their primary usage:
Match the loan types with their primary usage:
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How many Dabi borrowers does BRAC currently have in Bangladesh?
How many Dabi borrowers does BRAC currently have in Bangladesh?
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Repayment flexibility is always effective in increasing risk-taking among entrepreneurs.
Repayment flexibility is always effective in increasing risk-taking among entrepreneurs.
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What is the main characteristic shared by both Dabi and Progoti loan products?
What is the main characteristic shared by both Dabi and Progoti loan products?
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Study Notes
Entrepreneurial Investment and Risk
- Entrepreneurs repay loans in the second period unless planning to default in the third period.
- Equilibrium interest rate for zero profit is set at R = 1 + ρ.
- A threshold Ã(φ) exists; those with assets below this threshold do not invest, while those above borrow for safe projects.
- Poor entrepreneurs must borrow excessively if their assets (A) are below Ã, leading to less favorable outcomes due to high repayment obligations.
- Introduction of flexible contracts allows for delay in full loan payment to the final period.
Effects of Flexible Contracts
- Flexible contracts enable borrowers to reinvest proceeds even with low returns, avoiding liquidation risk for illiquid projects.
- Entrepreneurs with A ≥ Ã borrow for risky projects under flexible contracts.
- Payment deferral removes intermediate liquidation risks, prompting entrepreneurs to pursue higher expected value projects.
Data Collection and Methodology
- BRAC provided eligible clients lists; a sample of 2,717 borrowers was analyzed alongside a census of local microenterprises.
- The SME sample included 7,270 firms, with 3,504 surveyed at baseline to understand business characteristics.
Treatment Impact on Business Outcomes
- Treatment branches showed that eligible Dabi clients had a 3 percentage point greater likelihood of business ownership than controls.
- Significant increases in business assets (51%) were noted, totaling around $1,881 (PPP).
- Revenues rose by $28,153 (PPP annually), constituting an 86% increase compared to the control group.
- Treatment led to increased business costs along with larger investments in capital but did not impact labor inputs.
Profitability and Volatility
- Business profits for treated Dabi borrowers increased by 25%, though results were less precise statistically.
- Monthly profits also showed a 26% increase relative to controls.
- Revenue volatility for Dabi businesses surged by 106% when compared to control groups.
Summary of Findings
- Flexible contracts influenced business growth primarily for existing businesses, not new startups.
- Dabi clients showed statistically significant improvements in business revenues and profits, contrasting with the lack of significant outcomes for Progoti clients.
Client Retention and Default Rates
- Treated Dabi clients exhibited a 6.8 percentage point decrease in leaving BRAC, indicating improved retention.
- Impact on repayment behavior was assessed through BRAC’s administrative records, showing lower official default rates for treated clients.
Comparison to Other Studies
- Flexibility in repayment led to significant increases in business assets, profits, and household income, aligning with findings from similar studies on microfinance borrowers.
Repayment Flexibility in Consumer Mortgages
- Flexible monthly payment options can help to smooth consumption but may also heighten delinquency rates.
- Aggregate risk and asset illiquidity influence businesses' preferences for flexible credit contracts.
- Firms avoid liquidating assets to cover repayments during economic shocks by opting for flexible contracts.
Entrepreneurial Financial Models
- Entrepreneurs are modeled as risk-neutral with limited liability, operating in a three-period economy.
- They can choose between liquid short-term projects with uncertain returns or illiquid long-term investments.
- Expected returns from investments include variable probabilities and potential losses if liquidated early, emphasizing the complexity of financial decision-making.
Risk Aversion and Borrowing Behavior
- Risk-averse entrepreneurs may choose smaller, self-financed projects when seeking credit.
- Repayment flexibility can attract borrowers who perceive existing investment options as too risky or too safe, potentially altering the overall risk profile of the borrowing pool.
Theoretical Predictions of Loan Payments
- Flexible repayment terms may lead to increased risk-taking among borrowers, particularly when credit is rationed.
- Various market imperfections influence the effects of repayment flexibility on entrepreneurial risks and investments.
- In well-functioning markets with complete insurance, flexible contracts do not significantly impact outcomes.
Microfinance Context in Bangladesh
- BRAC, a leading microfinance provider, offers the "Dabi loan" for microenterprises and "Progoti loans" for small businesses, with significant borrower populations.
- Dabi loans average USD 275; Progoti loans average USD 2,200, both requiring collateral and have a fixed interest rate and repayment cycle.
Effects of Repayment Flexibility on Business Outcomes
- Eligible Dabi clients are more likely to own businesses and significantly increase investments in business assets, with a marked increase of 51% relative to the control group.
- Treatment led to a substantial rise in annual revenue (86%) and increased costs associated with higher business investments.
- The financial gains translated to a 25% increase in annual business profits, though estimates of statistical significance varied.
- Increased volatility in revenue was observed among treatment group businesses, suggesting greater variability in performance outcomes.
Summary of Outcomes
- Flexible repayment plans notably enhance business ownership rates and asset investment among borrowers.
- The findings underline the complexities of repayment strategies and their broader implications for risk-taking and financial health in the microenterprise sector.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the timing of repayment events in entrepreneurial finance. Analyze the conditions under which an entrepreneur fulfills their financial obligations and understand the implications for business operations. Test your knowledge on the critical stages affecting entrepreneurial success.