DP17297 Big techs, QR code payments and financial inclusion
Author(s): | Thorsten Beck, Leonardo Gambacorta, Yiping Huang, Zhenhua Li, Han Qiu |
Publication Date: | May 2022 |
Keyword(s): | Asymmetric information, banks, Big Data, big tech, credit markets, financial inclusion, QR code |
JEL(s): | D22, G31, R30 |
Programme Areas: | Financial Economics |
Link to this Page: | cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=17297 |
Using a unique dataset of around half a million Chinese firms that use a QR code-based mobile payment system, we find that (i) the creation of a digital payment footprint allows firms to access credit provided by the same big tech company; (ii) transaction data generated via QR code generate spillover effects on access to bank credit; and (iii) there are positive effects of access to big tech credit on sales, including during the Covid-19 shock. The findings suggest that access to innovative payment methods helps micro firms build up credit history, and that using big tech credit can ease access to bank credit.