IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/jbfnac/v52y2025i4p1762-1783.html

Influence of Legal Environment and Banking System on Trade Credit in Private Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Víctor M. González

Abstract

Using a firm‐level database covering 52 countries during the period 2004–2021, I investigate how legal institutions and characteristics of banking systems affect the provision of trade credit for private firms. The results show that there is more reliance on trade credit versus short‐term bank financing in environments characterized by higher legal enforcement while protection of creditors’ rights has no effect on the relative use of trade credit. As for the influence of the structure of the banking system, the relative use of trade credit, compared to short‐term debt, increases with the weight of bank financing in the country and the existence of restrictions on banks owning and controlling nonfinancial firms. During the global financial crisis, the relative use of trade credit increased, compared to short‐term debt, while it decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Víctor M. González, 2025. "Influence of Legal Environment and Banking System on Trade Credit in Private Firms," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 1762-1783, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:52:y:2025:i:4:p:1762-1783
    DOI: 10.1111/jbfa.12862
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbfa.12862
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jbfa.12862?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lin, Tsung-Te & Chou, Jian-Hsin, 2015. "Trade credit and bank loan: Evidence from Chinese firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 17-29.
    2. Campello, Murillo & Graham, John R. & Harvey, Campbell R., 2010. "The real effects of financial constraints: Evidence from a financial crisis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(3), pages 470-487, September.
    3. Duchin, Ran & Ozbas, Oguzhan & Sensoy, Berk A., 2010. "Costly external finance, corporate investment, and the subprime mortgage credit crisis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(3), pages 418-435, September.
    4. João A. C. Santos, 2011. "Bank Corporate Loan Pricing Following the Subprime Crisis," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 24(6), pages 1916-1943.
    5. Stephen Knack & Philip Keefer, 1997. "Does Social Capital Have an Economic Payoff? A Cross-Country Investigation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(4), pages 1251-1288.
    6. Smith, Janet Kiholm, 1987. "Trade Credit and Informational Asymmetry," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 42(4), pages 863-872, September.
    7. Stulz, ReneM., 1988. "Managerial control of voting rights : Financing policies and the market for corporate control," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1-2), pages 25-54, January.
    8. Petersen, Mitchell A & Rajan, Raghuram G, 1997. "Trade Credit: Theories and Evidence," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 10(3), pages 661-691.
    9. Richard Pike & Nam Sang Cheng & Karen Cravens & Dawne Lamminmaki, 2005. "Trade Credit Terms: Asymmetric Information and Price Discrimination Evidence From Three Continents," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5-6), pages 1197-1236.
    10. Wu, Wenfeng & Firth, Michael & Rui, Oliver M., 2014. "Trust and the provision of trade credit," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 146-159.
    11. Vicente Cuñat, 2007. "Trade Credit: Suppliers as Debt Collectors and Insurance Providers," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 491-527.
    12. Ivashina, Victoria & Scharfstein, David, 2010. "Bank lending during the financial crisis of 2008," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(3), pages 319-338, September.
    13. Abdulla, Yomna & Dang, Viet Anh & Khurshed, Arif, 2017. "Stock market listing and the use of trade credit: Evidence from public and private firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 391-410.
    14. Richard Pike & Nam Sang Cheng & Karen Cravens & Dawne Lamminmaki, 2005. "Trade Credit Terms: Asymmetric Information and Price Discrimination Evidence From Three Continents," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5‐6), pages 1197-1236, June.
    15. Philippe Gaud & Elion Jani & Martin Hoesli & André Bender, 2005. "The Capital Structure of Swiss Companies: an Empirical Analysis Using Dynamic Panel Data," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 11(1), pages 51-69, January.
    16. Belinda L. Del Gaudio & Gabriele Sampagnaro & Claudio Porzio & Vincenzo Verdoliva, 2022. "The signaling role of trade credit in bank lending decisions: Evidence from small and medium‐sized enterprises," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1-2), pages 327-354, January.
    17. Shin-ichi Fukuda & Munehisa Kasuya & Kentaro Akashi, 2007. "The Role of Trade Credit for Small Firms: An Implication from Japan's Banking Crisis," Public Policy Review, Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance Japan, vol. 3(1), pages 27-50, December.
    18. Mitchell A. Petersen, 2009. "Estimating Standard Errors in Finance Panel Data Sets: Comparing Approaches," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 22(1), pages 435-480, January.
    19. Dell'Ariccia, Giovanni & Detragiache, Enrica & Rajan, Raghuram, 2008. "The real effect of banking crises," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 89-112, January.
    20. Nilsen, Jeffrey H, 2002. "Trade Credit and the Bank Lending Channel," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 34(1), pages 226-253, February.
    21. Beck, Thorsten & Demirgüç-Kunt, Asli & Maksimovic, Vojislav, 2008. "Financing patterns around the world: Are small firms different?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(3), pages 467-487, September.
    22. Chee K. Ng & Janet Kiholm Smith & Richard L. Smith, 1999. "Evidence on the Determinants of Credit Terms Used in Interfirm Trade," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(3), pages 1109-1129, June.
    23. Thorsten Beck & Asli Demirgüç‐Kunt & Vojislav Maksimovic, 2005. "Financial and Legal Constraints to Growth: Does Firm Size Matter?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 60(1), pages 137-177, February.
    24. Mariassunta Giannetti & Mike Burkart & Tore Ellingsen, 2011. "What You Sell Is What You Lend? Explaining Trade Credit Contracts," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 24(4), pages 1261-1298.
    25. Jun Qian & Philip E. Strahan, 2007. "How Laws and Institutions Shape Financial Contracts: The Case of Bank Loans," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 62(6), pages 2803-2834, December.
    26. Amihud, Yakov & Lev, Baruch & Travlos, Nickolaos G, 1990. "Corporate Control and the Choice of Investment Financing: The Case of Corporate Acquisitions," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 45(2), pages 603-616, June.
    27. Levine, Ross & Lin, Chen & Xie, Wensi, 2018. "Corporate Resilience to Banking Crises: The Roles of Trust and Trade Credit," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(4), pages 1441-1477, August.
    28. Giannetti, Mariassunta, 2003. "Do Better Institutions Mitigate Agency Problems? Evidence from Corporate Finance Choices," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(1), pages 185-212, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nguyen, Dat Thanh & Tran, Vuong Thao & Le, Anh & Phan, Dinh Hoang Bach, 2025. "Firm-level climate change exposure and trade credit," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 4(5).
    2. Mai Dao & Trung Pham & Hongkang Xu, 2022. "Internal control effectiveness and trade credit," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1423-1452, November.
    3. Nieves Lidia Díaz-Díaz & Pedro J. García-Teruel & Pedro Martínez-Solano, 2025. "Trade credit and family control," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(8), pages 2529-2568, August.
    4. James, Hui Liang & Ngo, Thanh & Wang, Hongxia, 2023. "The impact of more able managers on corporate trade credit," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    5. Abdulla, Yomna & Dang, Viet Anh & Khurshed, Arif, 2020. "Suppliers' listing status and trade credit provision," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    6. Nam, Hocheol & Uchida, Konari, 2019. "Accounts payable and firm value: International evidence," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 116-137.
    7. D'Mello, Ranjan & Toscano, Francesca, 2020. "Economic policy uncertainty and short-term financing: The case of trade credit," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Maria Cristina Arcuri & Raoul Pisani, 2021. "Is Trade Credit a Sustainable Resource for Medium-Sized Italian Green Companies?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    9. Celia Álvarez‐Botas & Víctor M. González, 2021. "Institutions, banking structure and the cost of debt: new international evidence," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 265-303, March.
    10. Afrifa, Godfred Adjapong & Gyapong, Ernest & Monem, Reza M., 2018. "Product differentiation, market dynamics and the value relevance of trade payables: Evidence from UK listed firms," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 235-253.
    11. Vuong Thao Tran & Van Hoang Vu & Anh Le & Dinh Hoang Bach Phan, 2024. "Does it pay to treat employees well?: The case of informal finance," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(1-2), pages 473-510, January.
    12. Cristina Martínez Sola & Pedro J. García-Teruel & Pedro Martínez Solano, 2012. "Trade credit policy and firm value," Working Papers. Serie EC 2012-01, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
    13. Gyimah, Daniel & Machokoto, Michael & Sikochi, Anywhere (Siko), 2020. "Peer influence on trade credit," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    14. María-José Palacín-Sánchez & Francisco-Javier Canto-Cuevas & Filippo di-Pietro, 2019. "Trade credit versus bank credit: a simultaneous analysis in European SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(4), pages 1079-1096, December.
    15. Ranjan D’Mello & Mark Gruskin & Francesca Toscano, 2022. "The declining trend in trade credit ratios: The impact of firm‐specific and macro factors," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(4), pages 389-417, October.
    16. Wenwu Cai & Xiaofeng Quan & Gary Gang Tian, 2023. "Local Corruption and Trade Credit: Evidence from an Emerging Market," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(3), pages 563-594, July.
    17. Hasan, Mostafa Monzur & Habib, Ahsan, 2019. "Social capital and trade credit," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 158-174.
    18. Norden, Lars & Udell, Gregory F. & Wang, Teng, 2020. "Do bank bailouts affect the provision of trade credit?11All errors are our own. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Board of Governors or the staff of the Fede," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    19. Jiacai Xiong & Caiyue Ouyang & Wenxia Ge, 2025. "Do Suppliers Care About Analyst Forecasts When Extending Trade Credit? A Quasi‐Natural Experiment," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(3), pages 1404-1430, June.
    20. Corsten, Daniel & Gropp, Reint E. & Markou, Panos, 2017. "Suppliers as liquidity insurers," IWH Discussion Papers 8/2017, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:52:y:2025:i:4:p:1762-1783. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0306-686X .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.