The influence of the digital divide on peer-to-peer lending outcomes

This study investigates the impact of Digital Divide Index on peer-to-peer loans. The results reveal that a higher index score correlates with higher interest rates and reduced loan funding success and amounts. The research further distinguishes between the socioeconomic and infrastructure elements of the index, finding a more significant impact from socioeconomic factors on all lending metrics. These findings highlight the significant impact of socioeconomic conditions on financial opportunities in digital lending and emphasize the need for policies that go beyond enhancing digital access to address broader socioeconomic inequalities.