Why Don't Households Have a Checking Account?

Using the Surveys of Consumer Finance from 1989 to 2001, this study explores households' reasons for not having a checking account. Reasons have changed over time, shifting away from account features and toward human capital and institutional reasons. We also find that reasons for not having an account are related to income, race/ethnicity, marital status/gender, planning horizon, education, previous account experience, and credit history. We suggest potential responses for community educators, firms, and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]