The paper provides a realistic explanation for the persistently large loan costs in the informal and formal credit markets of South Asia. In the presence of the adverse selection problems that arise from information asymmetries and discrepancies in credit services, price competition in somewhat...

Despite evidence to the contrary from South Asia, one would expect international credit subsidies to stimulate a reduction in rural interest rates. Previous studies suggest that collusion among formal and informal lenders is responsible for preclusive interest rates and excessive economic rents....