, weaker restrictions may be a more effective means of changing behavior. We test this using a school-based commitment savings … which savings are available for cash withdrawal but intended for educational expenses. The weaker commitment generates …Commitment devices offer an opportunity to restrict future choices. However, if severe restrictions deter participation …

Evidence on the effectiveness of financial education and formal savings account access is lacking, particularly for … shows the education plus account treatment increases bank savings relative to account-only. But survey-measured total … savings shows roughly equal increases across all treatment arms. Earned income also increases in all treatment arms. We find …

High transaction and contracting costs are often thought to create credit and savings market failures in developing … countries. The microfinance movement grew largely out of business process innovations and subsidies that reduced these costs. We … improved "technology" for managing informal, collaborative village-based savings groups. Such groups allow, in theory, for more …

, with those with lower prior savings saving differentially more than those with higher prior savings. …