IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/chieco/v93y2025ics1043951x25001531.html

Digital finance development, financial mismatches, and corporate shadow banking activities

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Rui
  • Li, Rongrong
  • Ge, Xinyu

Abstract

The existing research suggests that a rapid growth of corporate shadow banking (CSB) activities in China is linked to financial repression. However, it is unclear whether digital finance development (DFD) featured with financial inclusion helps contain the growth. By using a sample of Chinese A-share listed non-financial enterprises (NFEs) from 2011 to 2021, we examine the effect of DFD on CSB activities. We offer empirical evidence that DFD can help decrease such activities. Our findings remain robust even after tackling endogeneity issues and undertaking a set of robustness checks. Furthermore, we identify financial mismatches, such as financial resource mismatch and maturity mismatch, as key pathways by which DFD influences CSB activities. Our results highlight the significant role of DFD in enhancing resource allocation and, crucially, in fostering a more transparent and stable financial system.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Rui & Li, Rongrong & Ge, Xinyu, 2025. "Digital finance development, financial mismatches, and corporate shadow banking activities," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:93:y:2025:i:c:s1043951x25001531
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2025.102495
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043951X25001531
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.chieco.2025.102495?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qi, Wenhao & Li, Biao & Liu, Qiqi & Lv, Jiaqi, 2023. "Low-skill lock-in? Financial resource mismatch and low-skilled labor demand," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 55(PB).
    2. Chen, Zhuo & He, Zhiguo & Liu, Chun, 2020. "The financing of local government in China: Stimulus loan wanes and shadow banking waxes," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(1), pages 42-71.
    3. Mu, Weiwei & Liu, Kefu & Tao, Yunqing & Ye, Yongwei, 2023. "Digital finance and corporate ESG," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    4. Yi, Jiahui & Dai, Sheng & Li, Lin & Cheng, Jinhua, 2024. "How does digital economy development affect renewable energy innovation?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    5. Peng, Jia-Hui & Wang, Ke-Liang & Cheng, Yun-He & Miao, Zhuang, 2024. "How does digital inclusive finance affect energy justice? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    6. Zhang, Dongyang, 2023. "Can digital finance empowerment reduce extreme ESG hypocrisy resistance to improve green innovation?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    7. Philippon, Thomas, 2016. "The FinTech Opportunity," CEPR Discussion Papers 11409, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Jiang, Chun & Chang, Ya-Qi & Ge, Xinyu & Si, Deng-Kui, 2023. "Identifying the impact of bank competition on corporate shadow banking: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    9. Gertler, Mark & Kiyotaki, Nobuhiro, 2010. "Financial Intermediation and Credit Policy in Business Cycle Analysis," Handbook of Monetary Economics, in: Benjamin M. Friedman & Michael Woodford (ed.), Handbook of Monetary Economics, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 11, pages 547-599, Elsevier.
    10. Allen, Franklin & Qian, Yiming & Tu, Guoqian & Yu, Frank, 2019. "Entrusted loans: A close look at China's shadow banking system," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(1), pages 18-41.
    11. Jarrad Harford & Sandy Klasa & William F. Maxwell, 2014. "Refinancing Risk and Cash Holdings," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 69(3), pages 975-1012, June.
    12. Zhao, Xiaoqing & Yao, Chen, 2024. "Exacerbation or suppression? Digital transformation and shadow banking activities of non-financial firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    13. Du, Julan & Li, Chang & Wang, Yongqin, 2023. "Shadow banking of non-financial firms: Arbitrage between formal and informal credit markets in China," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    14. Chen, Yan & Sun, Ruiqi, 2023. "Corporate financialization and the long-term use of short-term debt: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    15. Mian, Atif & Santos, João A.C., 2018. "Liquidity risk and maturity management over the credit cycle," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(2), pages 264-284.
    16. Du, Julan & Li, Chang & Wang, Yongqin, 2017. "A comparative study of shadow banking activities of non-financial firms in transition economies," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(S), pages 35-49.
    17. Jiang, Tianjiao & Levine, Ross & Lin, Chen & Wei, Lai, 2020. "Bank deregulation and corporate risk," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    18. Wu, Yilin & Huang, Shilei, 2022. "The effects of digital finance and financial constraint on financial performance: Firm-level evidence from China's new energy enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    19. Viral V. Acharya & Douglas Gale & Tanju Yorulmazer, 2011. "Rollover Risk and Market Freezes," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 66(4), pages 1177-1209, August.
    20. Wintoki, M. Babajide & Linck, James S. & Netter, Jeffry M., 2012. "Endogeneity and the dynamics of internal corporate governance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(3), pages 581-606.
    21. Xu Tian, 2022. "Uncertainty and the Shadow Banking Crisis: Estimates from a Dynamic Model," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(2), pages 1469-1496, February.
    22. Acharya, Viral & Qian, Jun & Su, Yang & Yang, Zhishu, 2020. "In the Shadow of Banks: Wealth Management Products and Issuing Banks’ Risks in China," CEPR Discussion Papers 14957, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    23. Matthias Kahl & Anil Shivdasani & Yihui Wang, 2015. "Short-Term Debt as Bridge Financing: Evidence from the Commercial Paper Market," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 70(1), pages 211-255, February.
    24. Ding, Qian & Huang, Jianbai & Chen, Jinyu, 2023. "Does digital finance matter for corporate green investment? Evidence from heavily polluting industries in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    25. Li, Chengming & Wang, Yilin & Zhou, Zhihan & Wang, Zeyu & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Digital finance and enterprise financing constraints: Structural characteristics and mechanism identification," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    26. Stiglitz, Joseph E & Weiss, Andrew, 1981. "Credit Rationing in Markets with Imperfect Information," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 71(3), pages 393-410, June.
    27. Zhang, Zhongqingyang & Mao, Ruixiang & Zhou, Zhongbao & Zeng, Zhijian, 2023. "How does digital finance affect green innovation? City-level evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PB).
    28. Feng, Yongqi & Cao, Yue & Ni, Juan, 2024. "Does Fintech affect shadow banking of non-financial firms? Evidence from the entrusted loans," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    29. Yang, Guang & Li, Yu, 2025. "Research on biodiversity risk and corporate short-term debt for long-term use under disclosure regulation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    30. Guo, Shen & Lin, Guiting & Ouyang, Alice Y., 2023. "Are pro-SME credit policies effective? Evidence from shadow banking in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    31. Lin, Aijie & Peng, Yulei & Wu, Xi, 2022. "Digital finance and investment of micro and small enterprises: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    32. Jin, Laiqun & Dai, Jiaying & Jiang, Weijie & Cao, Kairui, 2023. "Digital finance and misallocation of resources among firms: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    33. Zhu, Xiaodong, 2021. "The varying shadow of China's banking system," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 135-146.
    34. Wang, Yizhong & Wang, Ting & Chen, Lifang, 2021. "Maturity mismatches of Chinese listed firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    35. Xavier Vives, 2019. "Digital Disruption in Banking," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 11(1), pages 243-272, December.
    36. George A. Akerlof, 1970. "The Market for "Lemons": Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 84(3), pages 488-500.
    37. Custódio, Cláudia & Ferreira, Miguel A. & Laureano, Luís, 2013. "Why are US firms using more short-term debt?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(1), pages 182-212.
    38. Healy, Paul M. & Palepu, Krishna G., 2001. "Information asymmetry, corporate disclosure, and the capital markets: A review of the empirical disclosure literature," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-3), pages 405-440, September.
    39. Haijie Wang & Le Yang & Yanchao Feng, 2024. "How does digital economy affect the industry chain resilience in China?," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    40. Kong, Nan & Wang, Bingjie & Zhang, Yan & Zhou, Nianli, 2024. "How does digital technology affect export in services?," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yu, Yong & Zhai, Chenzhe & Hu, Debao & Wang, Zicun, 2025. "The nexus between digital finance and household consumption-based carbon emissions: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(PB).
    2. Yongpeng Ma & Rosli Mahmood & Annuar Md Nassir & Leyi Zhang, 2025. "Digital Finance and Green Technology Innovation: A Dual-Layer Analysis of Financing and Governance Mechanisms in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-25, October.

    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. Yu, Ziqin & Xiao, Xiang & Ge, Ge, 2025. "Shadow banking regulation and firm investment efficiency: Evidence from China's new regulation of capital management," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PB).
    2. Xiao, Weiwei & Tao, Yunqing & Li, Chaoqun & Ye, Yongwei, 2025. "Does digital finance mitigate corporate maturity mismatch in China?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    3. Jiang, Chun & Chang, Ya-Qi & Ge, Xinyu & Si, Deng-Kui, 2023. "Identifying the impact of bank competition on corporate shadow banking: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    4. Wang, Man & Wang, Xueting, 2025. "Geopolitical risk and corporate maturity mismatch," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Chen, Zongnan & Zhou, Maoyuan & Wan, Chuang & Chen, Tingzhu, 2025. "The impact of digital finance development on corporate debt maturity structure," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    6. Li, Bo & Cheng, Yue & Tian, Guangning, 2024. "Bank competition and firm asset- debt maturity mismatch: Evidence from the SMEs in China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    7. Chen, Xiao & Dai, Narisa Tianjing & Liu, Ming & So, Raymond H.Y. & Tan, Zhiyuan Simon, 2025. "Can government policies tackle maturity mismatches? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    8. Xu, Zhibo & Padmanabhan, Prasad & Huang, Chia-Hsing, 2025. "Does institutional cross-ownership reduce corporate shadow banking activities? Evidence from Chinese firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    9. Si, Deng-Kui & Liu, Guanchun, 2025. "How does capital market liberalization shape corporate shadow banking? Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    10. Zhao, Boyu & Yu, Conglei & Zhao, Feng & Wang, Lingli, 2025. "Mechanisms of digital finance on collaborative innovation of small and medium-sized enterprise clusters," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    11. Liang, Shuzhen & Ye, Yongwei & Zhang, Ruifeng, 2025. "Social credit system and the alleviation of investment–financing maturity mismatch in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 1415-1435.
    12. Cui, Xiaona & Mohd Said, Ridzwana & Abdul Rahim, Norhuda & Ni, Mengjiao, 2024. "Can green finance Lead to green investment? Evidence from heavily polluting industries," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    13. Gao, Ning & Jiang, Wei & Jin, Jiaxu, 2023. "Disproportional control rights and debt maturity," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    14. Feng, Yongqi & Cao, Yue & Ni, Juan, 2024. "Does Fintech affect shadow banking of non-financial firms? Evidence from the entrusted loans," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    15. Liu, Cai & He, Xiaoxiao, 2025. "The unintended consequences of retail investor attention: the case of the long-term use of short-term debt," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    16. Wen, Xi & Li, Wanli & Shen, Zhixuan, 2024. "Local government debt and corporate asset-debt maturity mismatches: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    17. Ayaz, Muhammad & Anwer, Zaheer & Hassan, M. Kabir & Xiaoyang, Xu, 2025. "Inhabiting influence of digital finance on stock price synchronicity," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Peng, Nianjiao & Wen, Manhong & Tian, Xiujuan & Wu, Xiaxue, 2024. "The impact of digital finance on firm's inefficient investment: Evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PA).
    19. Bu, Jun & Chang, Yanfeng & Fei, Tianlun & Li, Xueying, 2025. "It is a marathon, not a sprint: The impact of supply chain finance on firms’ short-term debt for long-term investments," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    20. Yan, Youliang & Wang, Maochuan & Hu, Guoliu & Jiang, Chengxin, 2024. "Does Confucian culture affect shadow banking activities? Evidence from Chinese listed companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

    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:eee:chieco:v:93:y:2025:i:c:s1043951x25001531. 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: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/chieco .

    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.