Utilization of Formal and Informal Financial Services Among Immigrants in the United States
This study develops detailed profiles of formal and informal financial services use by low and moderate-income immigrants in the United States, in comparison to their low-income native counterparts. It also examines immigrants’ financial attitudes towards different types of financial services. The study findings indicate that low-income immigrants and natives had different patterns in terms of financial service utilization. Immigrants were more likely to use informal financial services to conduct different financial transactions such as receiving income, converting income checks, making payments, building savings, and obtaining loans. However, low-income immigrants and natives tended to use both formal and informal services, and the patterns of financial service use depended on different financial transactions. The most-liked financial service features of immigrants include convenience, cost-saving, security, and friendly environment and staff of financial service providers. Policy and practice implications for developing financial services that could better meet the needs of immigrants were discussed.
Citation:
Min Zhan, Steve Anderson, and Saijun Zhang (2011) ,"Utilization of Formal and Informal Financial Services Among Immigrants in the United States", in AP - Asia-Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 9, eds. Zhihong Yi, Jing Jian Xiao, and June Cotte and Linda Price, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 205-205.
Authors
Min Zhan, School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Steve Anderson, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, USA
Saijun Zhang, School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Volume
AP - Asia-Pacific Advances in Consumer Research Volume 9 | 2011
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