Rural Financial Market Performance: Implications of Low Delinquency Rates

Abstract

Abstract In contrast to most developing countries, nonrepayment of agricultural loans has not been a problem for the Costa Rican banking system. Delinquency rates have in fact been lower for agricultural than nonagricultural loans and lowest on loans to small farmers. This good performance is due largely to efficient techniques developed for gathering information about potential borrowers and incentives for borrowers to repay promptly to maintain access to bank loans which carry interest rates substantially below equilibrium. The pattern of low delinquency rates reflects the structure of low interest rates which causes farmers, especially small farmers, to be rationed most severely.