Authors Archives: Robin Varghese, Ph.D.

Summary of A Reexamination of Who Gains and Who Loses from Credit Card Payments

This report is a summary of A Reexamination of Who Wins and Who Loses from Credit Card Payments, which provides an in-depth analysis and reexamination of the theory explored by authors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in 2010 that credit cards and credit card rewards programs lead to a regressive transfer of merchant costs at the point of sale. It examines how sensitive the Boston Fed staff report findings are to variations in the underlying assumptions and modifications to the accounting framework used.

A Reexamination of Who Gains and Who Loses from Credit Card Payments

This report provides an in-depth analysis and reexamination of the theory explored by authors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in 2010 that credit cards and credit card rewards programs lead to a regressive transfer of merchant costs at the point of sale. It examines how sensitive the Boston Fed staff report findings are to variations in the underlying assumptions and modifications to the accounting framework used.

A New Pathway to Financial Inclusion

This study compares results with data from2005/2006 and 2009/2010 credit reports to assess the consumer credit impact of including fully reported alternative data in credit reports. The data was selected to capture the period during which unemployment and late payments spiked.

U.S. Consumer Credit Reports: Measuring Accuracy and Dispute Impacts

This report assesses the accuracy and quality of data collected and maintained by the three major nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs): Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The study enabled consumers to review their credit reports and credit scores from one or more of the three CRAs, to identify potential inaccuracies, and to file disputes as necessary through the consumer dispute resolution process governed by the FCRA, and to report on their satisfaction with the dispute outcome. The impact of the disputes is measured through credit score and credit risk tier changes.