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On the credibility of ethical banking

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  • Barigozzi, Francesca
  • Tedeschi, Piero

Abstract

Motivated entrepreneurs investing in ethical projects financed by ethical banks seems a virtuous albeit rather fragile outcome of the credit market. The credibility of ethical banking is in fact the result of a subtle balance of delicate ingredients supporting each other. To obtain the better credit deals that could be offered when (truly) motivated entrepreneurs and ethical lenders match, non-motivated entrepreneurs may easily pretend to be socially responsible by investing in ethical projects. In a model with moral-hazard (in the credit relationship) and adverse-selection (for the types of entrepreneurs, motivated or not), we show that the market for ethical projects thrives. Market segmentation occurs as a virtuous and unique equilibrium that features standard entrepreneurs and lenders trading in the market for standard projects only, while motivated entrepreneurs deal with ethical banks in the market for ethical projects. In line with the empirical evidence on ethical banking, the model predicts that ethical lenders require lower collateral than commercial banks.

Suggested Citation

  • Barigozzi, Francesca & Tedeschi, Piero, 2019. "On the credibility of ethical banking," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 381-402.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:166:y:2019:i:c:p:381-402
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.07.008
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    4. Deimante Teresiene & Daiva Budriene, 2021. "Business ethics and ethical investing: from historical, ethical approach to real investments," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 17(1), pages 212-221, March.
    5. Jasman Tuyon & Okey Peter Onyia & Aidi Ahmi & Chia-Hsing Huang, 2023. "Sustainable financial services: reflection and future perspectives," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(4), pages 664-690, December.
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    7. Md. Nur-E-Alam Siddique & Shifa Mohd Nor & Zizah Che Senik & Nor Asiah Omar, 2023. "Corporate Social Responsibility as the Pathway to Sustainable Banking: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
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    9. Dan-Costin Nitescu & Maria-Alexandra Cristea, 2020. "Environmental, Social and Governance Risks – New Challenges for the Banking Business Sustainability," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(55), pages 692-692, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social responsibilitys; Motivated entrepreneurs; Corporate finance; Moral hazard; Adverse selection; Informed principals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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