1. Informal Finance: Savings clubs, money guards, and loans from family members are just a few ways many Americans are creating their own DIY financial services. Planet Money
2. Impact Evaluations: David Evans' reflections on zero effect results in educational interventions are a nice reminder of the lessons we can learn from the microcredit impact evaluations. The World Bank - Development Impact
3. Retirement Savings: Is the case against expanding social security simply the result of a math error? The Los Angeles Times
4. Cash Transfers: A research study on EITC participation reports social programs may have higher take up rates if policymakers communicate information in a simple way with emphasis on the program benefits. What a radical concept! The Psych Report
5. Pawn Shops: Pawn shops are a source of credit for many unbanked Americans but research on item bids and loan terms reveals a complex shadow banking system for the poor. Priceonomics
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Editor’s Note: I’m going to assume that you are seeing plenty of AI content (news and papers, not AI slop, though I’m sure you’re getting plenty of that too) from other sources, so I’m trying to think hard about the marginal value that the faiV can provide. As far as I’ve gotten so far: a) make sure that directly AI-related content does not take up more than 2 of the 5 items, and b) try to focus specifically on the cybersecurity issue for financial inclusion. Beyond that, I’m open to feedback on the value you get from the faiV in relation to AI to help guide us in the future. On a different note, I’ll be making a brief cameo appearance at the e-MFP Inclusive Finance Conference to moderate the opening plenary. If you haven’t registered, do so and I hope to see you there! - Tim Ogden