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When green meets green

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  • Degryse, Hans
  • Goncharenko, Roman
  • Theunisz, Carola
  • Vadasz, Tamas

Abstract

We investigate whether and how the environmental consciousness (greenness for short) of firms and banks is reflected in the pricing of bank credit. Using a large international sample of syndicated loans over the period 2011–2019, we find that green banks indeed reward firms for being green in the form of cheaper loans—however, only after the ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Such loans are also more likely term loans, with fewer covenants and reflect firms' project choices. Thus, we find that environmental attitudes matter “when green meets green.”

Suggested Citation

  • Degryse, Hans & Goncharenko, Roman & Theunisz, Carola & Vadasz, Tamas, 2023. "When green meets green," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:78:y:2023:i:c:s0929119923000044
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2023.102355
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    2. Andrieș, Alin Marius & Sprincean, Nicu, 2023. "ESG performance and banks’ funding costs," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    3. Bakkar, Yassine, 2023. "Climate Risk and Bank Capital Structure," QBS Working Paper Series 2023/04, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's Business School.
    4. Siamak Javadi & Abdullah‐Al Masum & Mohsen Aram & Ramesh P. Rao, 2023. "Climate change and corporate cash holdings: Global evidence," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 52(2), pages 253-295, June.
    5. Pang, Jing & Liu, Zhaoda & Hou, Wanyue & Tao, Yunqing, 2023. "How does the Paris Agreement affect firm productivity? International evidence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    6. Lei, Ni & Miao, Qin & Yao, Xin, 2023. "Does the implementation of green credit policy improve the ESG performance of enterprises? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    7. DiMaria, charles-henri, 2024. "ESG principles: the limits to green benchmarking," MPRA Paper 120410, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2024.
    8. Hao Dong & Tao Li, 2023. "Climate Economics and Finance: A Literature Review," Climate Economics and Finance, Anser Press, vol. 1(1), pages 29-45, November.
    9. Han, Hope H. & Lee, Jiyoon & Wang, Boxian, 2023. "Greenhouse gas emissions, firm value, and the investor base: Evidence from Korea," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    10. Koetter, Michael & Nguyen, Huyen, 2023. "European banking in transformational times: Regulation, crises, and challenges," IWH Studies 7/2023, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    11. Ralf R. Meisenzahl, 2023. "How Climate Change Shapes Bank Lending: Evidence from Portfolio Reallocation," Working Paper Series WP 2023-12, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    12. Emiel Sanders & Mathieu Simoens & Rudi Vander Vennet, 2023. "Curse and blessing: the effect of the dividend ban on euro area bank valuations and syndicated lending," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 23/1078, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    13. Fiordelisi, Franco & Ricci, Ornella & Santilli, Gianluca, 2023. "Environmental engagement and stock price crash risk: Evidence from the European banking industry," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    14. Giannetti, Mariassunta & Jasova, Martina & Loumioti, Maria & Mendicino, Caterina, 2023. "“Glossy green” banks: the disconnect between environmental disclosures and lending activities," Working Paper Series 2882, European Central Bank.
    15. Ghosh, Saibal, 2023. "Does climate legislation matter for bank lending? Evidence from MENA countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Paris agreement; Green firms; Green banks; Bank lending;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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