Authors
Sumit Agarwal, Wenlan Qian, Xin Zou
Publication date
2021/5/1
Journal
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Volume
13
Issue
2
Pages
1-25
Publisher
American Economic Association
Description
Using a large, representative sample of credit and debit card transactions in Singapore, this paper studies the consumption response of individuals whose same-building neighbors experienced personal bankruptcy. The unique bankruptcy rules in Singapore suggest liquidity shocks drive personal bankruptcy decisions, leading to a substantial drop in consumption for the bankrupt. Peers’ monthly card consumption decreases by 3.4 percent over the 1-year postbankruptcy period. There exists no consumption decrease among individuals in immediately adjacent buildings nor for consumers with diminished postevent social ties with the bankrupt. The findings imply a significant social multiplier effect of 2.8 times the original consumption shock. (JEL E21, G51, K35)
Total citations
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Scholar articles
S Agarwal, W Qian, X Zou - American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 2021