Consumer Financial Literacy and the Impact of Online Banking on the Financial Behavior of Lower‐Income Bank Customers

Abstract

This article analyzes a demonstration program mounted by a major bank to understand whether access to information and communications technologies, combined with financial literacy training and training on how to use the Internet, can help low‐ and moderate‐income individuals in inner‐city neighborhoods be more effective financial actors. While quantitative analysis turns up few significant program effects, qualitative work implies that implementation issues likely compromised the effectiveness of the program. There was evidence of a potential link between information and communications technologies and financial literacy. Overall, urban low‐ and moderate‐income individuals are interested in becoming technologically and financially literate and an intensive intervention may enable these goals.