Learning in the Credit Card Market

Sumit Agarwal (), John Driscoll (), Xavier Gabaix () and David Laibson ()

No 13822, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Agents with more experience make better choices. We measure learning dynamics using a panel with four million monthly credit card statements. We study add-on fees, specifically cash advance, late payment, and overlimit fees. New credit card accounts generate fee payments of $15 per month. Through negative feedback -- i.e. paying a fee -- consumers learn to avoid triggering future fees. Paying a fee last month reduces the likelihood of paying a fee in the current month by about 40%. Controlling for account fixed effects, monthly fee payments fall by 75% during the first three years of account life. We find that learning is not monotonic. Knowledge effectively depreciates about 10% per month, implying that learning displays a strong recency effect.

JEL-codes: D1 D40 D8 G20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-knm
Date: 2008-02
Note: AG AP LE
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Working Paper: Learning in the Credit Card Market (2008)
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