Informal lending and savings institutions exist around the world, and often include regular pickup of cash. Some banks have adopted similar services in order to expand access to banking services for the poor. Using a randomized control trial, we evaluate the impact of offering a deposit-collection service for micro-savers of a rural bank in the Philippines. In this service, a bank employee comes to the individual’s home once per month to pick up a savings deposit. The individual is charged a nominal fee
equal to the transport cost. Of 137 individuals offered the service in the treatment group, 38 agreed to sign-up. Those offered the service saved 188 pesos more (which equates to about a 25% increase in savings stock) and were slightly less likely to borrow from the
bank.
