The U.S.–Mexico Remittance Corridor : Lessons on Shifting from Informal to Formal Transfer Systems

Examining the experience of the U.S.-Mexico remittances corridor over the last eight years, this title derives specific lessons that could be applicable to other remittance corridors when shifting from informal to formal systems. Lessons focuses on a few selected aspects of the remittance experience and breaks down the remittance process into three stages: the First Mile, when decisions are in the hands of the remittance sender; the Intermediary Stage, comprising the systems that facilitate the cross-border transfer of funds, and; the Last Mile, where the funds reach the hands of the remittance recipient. By analyzing the objectives, obstacles, incentives, and changes occurring at each of these stages in the U.S.-Mexico corridor, lessons are drawn for other remittance sending and receiving countries that seek to encourage formalization of the flows.