The U S Mexico Remittance Corridor

The experience of Mexican nationals who send money home from the United States forms the basis for this study. The authors identify three stages of the remittance process: the First Mile, when decisions are in the hands of the remittance sender; the Intermediary Stage, comprising systems that facilitate the cross-border transfer of funds; and the Last Mile, where the funds reach the hands of the remittance recipient. This analysis, covering the last eight years, may provide guidance for other remittance sending and receiving countries that seek to encourage formalization of the flow.

The experience of Mexican nationals who send money home from the United States forms the basis for this study. The authors identify three stages of the remittance process: the First Mile, when decisions are in the hands of the remittance sender; the Intermediary Stage, comprising systems that facilitate the cross-border transfer of funds; and the Last Mile, where the funds reach the hands of the remittance recipient. This analysis, covering the last eight years, may provide guidance for other remittance sending and receiving countries that seek to encourage formalization of the flow.

Examining the experience of the Canada-Vietnam remittances corridor over the past several years, this title is a first step towards identifying the main features and pointing out some of the areas and issues that researchers and authorities should examine more closely.In contrast to the large size and advanced level of development of the U.S.-Mexico remittances corridor, examined in the first case study, the Canada-Vietnam corridor is small in absolute terms and still at a nascent stage of shifting from informal to formal systems.For purposes of discussion, 'The Canada-Vietnam Remittance Corridor' breaks down the remittance process into three stages: • the First Mile, when decisions are in the hands of the remittance sender; • the Intermediary Stage, comprising the systems that facilitate the cross-border transfer of funds, and; • the Last Mile, where the funds reach the hands of the remittance recipient. By analyzing the objectives, obstacles, incentives, and changes occurring at each of these stages in the Canada-Vietnam corridor, lessons are drawn for other remittance sending and receiving countries that seek to encourage formalization of the flows.

Examining the experience of the Canada-Vietnam remittances corridor over the past several years, this title is a first step towards identifying the main features and pointing out some of the areas and issues that researchers and authorities should examine more closely. In contrast to the large size and advanced level of development of the U.S.-Mexico remittances corridor, examined in the first case study, the Canada-Vietnam corridor is small in absolute terms and still at a nascent stage of shifting from informal to formal systems. For purposes of discussion, 'The Canada-Vietnam Remittance Corridor' breaks down the remittance process into three stages: - the First Mile, when decisions are in the hands of the remittance sender; - the Intermediary Stage, comprising the systems that facilitate the cross-border transfer of funds, and; - the Last Mile, where the funds reach the hands of the remittance recipient. By analyzing the objectives, obstacles, incentives, and changes occurring at each of these stages in the Canada-Vietnam corridor, lessons are drawn for other remittance sending and receiving countries that seek to encourage formalization of the flows.

Crossing anthropology with urban studies and architecture, this is the first book to explore how Mexican migrants are building houses and other structures in Mexico with the money they earn in the US. The author defines this as the development of "remittance space,” a phenomenon that is changing the landscapes and economies of villages and towns throughout Mexico--and, not incidentally, of several US cities as well, including LA and Chicago. While remittance building is not unique to Mexico, the remittance corridor from the US to our southern neighbor is the largest in the world: a flow of about 22 billion dollars in 2010 alone. Lopez has identified a correspondence between this monetary flow and the construction boom in rural Mexico. In fact, she proposes that a Mexican’s capacity to build in rural villages itself motivates migration and changes social and cultural life for migrants and their families. Through careful ethnographic and architectural analysis, Lopez brings migrant hometowns to life and positions them in larger critical debates about migration. The research was conducted on both sides of the border: Lopez worked and lived with migrants in Los Angeles and Chicago, and she pursued her subject throughout the south of Jalisco, not far from Guadalajara. This is a dangerous area: drug wars are raging, and it takes courage and care to spend time there, a matter covered in the book.

This paper provides an overview of remittances and migration between Honduras and the United States and analyzes the remittance regulatory and market environment, including financial inclusion strategies, transnational economic activities, and the impact of remittances on the Honduran economy. 'The U.S.-Honduras Remittance Corridor' makes policy recommendations to the authorities of Honduras and the United States, especially for regulatory reforms that promote the integrity and efficiency of money transfer businesses. We also recommend the development of financial infrastructures in rural areas for better distribution of remittances. Furthermore, we suggest that public policy should be more focused on building an environment for investment in the community and developing local businesses that export to Honduran communities abroad.

This study gives an overview of the intermediation of worker remittance flows from the United States to Guatemala. In contrast to other remittance corridors in the world, most transfers in this corridor are channeled in the United States through the formal sector, and distributed in Guatemala through the banking system. However, both senders and receivers have little access to financial products and services. This study argues that in a country characterized by high income inequality and low and concentrated access to credit, the large role played by domestic banks in distributing remittances seems promising in terms of creating a point of contact that could lead to cross-sales of other financial services. The report also argues that authorities have an important coordination and catalytic role to play, for increased efficiency in remittance intermediation, fostering competition, and ultimately highlighting the potential for greater access. The report concludes with specific avenues for further policy action in terms of transparency, regulatory environment, financial literacy and access, risk

Several economies in the Caribbean region, especially from the lower-income group, are highly dependent on remittances. Between 1991 and 2006, the combined flows of total remittances reaching the Caribbean have averaged almost 17 percent annual growth, surpassing US$6 billion in 2005 and overtaking the region’s total ODA and FDI inflows. In addition, remittances represent more than 20 percent of the domestic gross domestic product (GDP) in some Caribbean countries and have played a significant role in lessening both balance of payment deficits and the impact of natural disasters to which the region is particularly vulnerable. This study undertakes an analysis of the various dynamics underlying the Canada-Caribbean remittance corridor, including Caribbean migration issues and diaspora dynamics, remittance market landscapes, and regulatory frameworks. The study is intended to assist Canadian and Caribbean national authorities to sustain the continued growth and competitiveness of their remittance industries, while protecting them abuse by criminals. The study particularly emphasizes continued policy improvements in each country’s regulatory framework to improve financial sector development and to enhance poverty reduction.