Independent Research Proves EarnIn’s EWA Product Increases Income and Improves Financial Stability
- Jonathan H. Westover, PhD
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
First casual evidence from a study of over one million EarnIn Cash Out customers shows that workers who adopt EarnIn experience higher monthly earnings with no rise in overdraft or interest charges.
EarnIn, the leading earnings management company, today releases, The Impacts of Earned Wage Access: How Giving Workers More Control Over Pay Timing Can Increase Income and Boost Financial Stability, a landmark independent paper providing some of the first causal evidence on the effects of direct-to-consumer earned wage access (EWA) in the United States. The study finds that using EarnIn’s EWA product, Cash Out, increases workers' income by $334 or 11.5 percent per month, offering powerful new insights into how flexible access to earnings can improve financial stability for millions of Americans.
What the Research Shows
EWA increases workers’ income. The research finds that using EarnIn’s Cash Out product increases monthly earnings by $334, an 11.5% gain.
EWA is safe and does not increase harmful fees. After adopting EarnIn’s Cash Out product, users experience no rise in overdraft, interest, or other bank fees, demonstrating that Cash Out does not introduce new financial risks.
EWA supports healthy financial behavior by design. Users continue to access wages steadily, but there is no evidence of debt-like patterns or harmful borrowing.
EWA helps people cover essential expenses. Spending analysis shows that accessed wages go primarily toward rent, utilities, fuel, prescriptions, auto repair, and credit card payments. The study finds no increase in discretionary spending. Instead, EWA gives workers the liquidity they need to manage essentials and short-term cash flow.
“This research offers some of the first causal evidence that earned wage access improves financial wellbeing,” said Jonathan M. V. Davis, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Oregon and author of the study. “This establishes clearly that EWA is a safe and effective financial tool. It is a practical tool that can help stabilize finances at a time when many need it most and should be viewed not only as a tool that can increase earnings, but as an anti-poverty intervention as well.”
“This groundbreaking research analyzed data from over 1 million people in the US who are directly utilizing EarnIn’s Cash Out EWA product. By applying rigorous scientific methodologies, it shows that when workers can consistently access their pay, their incomes go up and they are better off financially,” said Ram Palaniappan, CEO and Founder of EarnIn. “It proves that giving workers safe access to the wages they’ve already earned can make a meaningful and measurable difference.”
Study analysis is based on comprehensive administrative data provided by EarnIn. The data—from over one million users—includes detailed information about EWA usage, monthly income, and other spending based on bank transactions. The research was conducted independently by Jonathan M.V. Davis, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Oregon.
About EarnIn: EarnIn offers an earnings management platform that helps people take control of their money and build momentum. With tools like on-demand pay, early paycheck access, credit-building, and real-time streaming pay (subject to a customer’s pay period max), EarnIn provides flexible ways to access and manage earnings - all without costly interest, hidden fees, or credit checks. EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our Bank partners. See EarnIn.com for details.
