<p>This is actually heavily studied question in development economics. Here are some common answers:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Lack of secure property rights in developing countries. More substantial loans require collateral, in many developing countries especially in rural areas people don’t have deeds of ownership for their houses or farms. Even when they have access to some deed the property rights might be not secure.</p></li>
<li><p>Lack of identification - this is related to the previous answer. In many developing countries it’s hard to prove that you are who you are. Again especially in rural areas people might not even have birth certificates. Hence, a bank who does not have local knowledge like loan shark might not get repaid because person just disappears. Hence the costs of private monitoring for classic bank are prohibitively expensive.</p></li>
<li><p>In some places it might still be physically very hard to reach the people or you can put it other way around people in many places can’t physically access banking services - due to lack of transport or internet.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Also I got these from the book Poor Economics by Banerjee and Duflo (recent Nobel prize winners) they go in their book into much greater detail of this issue, so I would recommend it and the papers cited therein for more info. Although the book deals with multiple issues so it’s not only about this - just mentioning it so you know what to expect if you plan to get it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T13:57:16.603Z
2019-11-22T13:57:16.603Z
1muflon1
<p>As in title, quite a simple question - however looking for some more arguments and points of view. Mainly talking about the poor in developing countries, however if some arguments are more "applicable" to the poorer part of the society in already developed countries - would love to read them as well. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T09:55:59.263Z
You mean aside from the higher risks that the loan to the poor would become NPLs?
Art
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T10:00:04.347Z
This is the first thing that comes up to ones mind. But aside bad debt?
bajun65537
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T10:05:12.413Z
If banks care to maximize profits, and let's say that the poor have the same chance of not paying back their loans, I don't see any reason banks would prefer the rich over the poor.
Art
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T10:37:55.243Z
Fixed costs? Writing the contract takes the same effort.
Giskard
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T10:46:15.337Z
I am thinking if contracts might be too difficult to understand for the less educated?  As the application process might be too complicated?
bajun65537
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T13:03:44.063Z
That would be an explanation of why the poors don't like taking loans from banks, not the other way around :)
Art
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-22T19:22:03.390Z
Which banks are you referring to? Banks in developed countries not loaning money to people/businesses in poor countries, or banks in poor countries not loaning out money?
ssn
<development-economics>
Why traditional banks tend not to provide finance to the poor?
bajun65537
# Why traditional banks tend not to provide finance to the poor?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-11-22)

As in title, quite a simple question - however looking for some more arguments and points of view. Mainly talking about the poor in developing countries, however if some arguments are more "applicable" to the poorer part of the society in already developed countries - would love to read them as well.

**Tags:** development-economics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You mean aside from the higher risks that the loan to the poor would become NPLs?  
> **username_0**: This is the first thing that comes up to ones mind. But aside bad debt?  
> **username_1**: If banks care to maximize profits, and let's say that the poor have the same chance of not paying back their loans, I don't see any reason banks would prefer the rich over the poor.  
> **username_2**: Fixed costs? Writing the contract takes the same effort.  
> **username_0**: I am thinking if contracts might be too difficult to understand for the less educated?  As the application process might be too complicated?  
> **username_1**: That would be an explanation of why the poors don't like taking loans from banks, not the other way around :)  
> **username_3**: Which banks are you referring to? Banks in developed countries not loaning money to people/businesses in poor countries, or banks in poor countries not loaning out money?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-11-22. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

This is actually heavily studied question in development economics. Here are some common answers:

1. Lack of secure property rights in developing countries. More substantial loans require collateral, in many developing countries especially in rural areas people don’t have deeds of ownership for their houses or farms. Even when they have access to some deed the property rights might be not secure.
2. Lack of identification - this is related to the previous answer. In many developing countries it’s hard to prove that you are who you are. Again especially in rural areas people might not even have birth certificates. Hence, a bank who does not have local knowledge like loan shark might not get repaid because person just disappears. Hence the costs of private monitoring for classic bank are prohibitively expensive.
3. In some places it might still be physically very hard to reach the people or you can put it other way around people in many places can’t physically access banking services - due to lack of transport or internet.

Also I got these from the book Poor Economics by Banerjee and Duflo (recent Nobel prize winners) they go in their book into much greater detail of this issue, so I would recommend it and the papers cited therein for more info. Although the book deals with multiple issues so it’s not only about this - just mentioning it so you know what to expect if you plan to get it.


---

