In this article we analyze the impact of automatic bill payment (ABP) on household debt. We present a theoretical intertemporal consumption model that shows an inattention effect when individuals subscribe an ABP for their debts. This effect causes a higher level of indebtedness (beyond optimal) and, therefore, well-being loss. Furthermore, we empirically test this theory for Chile, an emerging economy. We estimate a Tobit-Probit conditional mixed process (CMP) model, using data from the Central Bank of Chile’s Household Financial Survey (HFS). The results confirm the existence of a positive and significant effect of the use of ABP on the financial burden of households.

在本文中，我们分析了自动账单支付（ABP）对家庭债务的影响。我们提出了一种理论上的跨期消费模型，该模型显示了当个人为债务认购ABP时的注意力不集中效应。这种影响导致较高的负债水平（超出最佳水平），因此造成幸福感损失。此外，我们对新兴经济体智利进行了实证检验。我们使用智利中央银行家庭金融调查（HFS）的数据估算了Tobit-Probit条件混合过程（CMP）模型。结果证实，使用ABP对家庭的经济负担具有积极而显着的影响。