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How do banks finance R&D intensive firms? the role of patents in overcoming information asymmetry✰

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  • Hoffmann, Arvid O.I.
  • Kleimeier, Stefanie

Abstract

We examine how banks finance R&D intensive firms, focusing on the role of patents in overcoming information asymmetry in bank lending. Consistent with moral hazard in due diligence and monitoring, we find that lead arrangers retain a larger share of syndicated loans when lending to R&D intensive firms. Patents can partly overcome moral hazard problems, as banks retain a smaller share of R&D intensive firms’ loans if these firms have patents as a signal of the quality of their inventions. Our results are robust to alternative explanatory variable definitions and syndicate structure measures, different samples and subperiods, and difference-in-difference estimations.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoffmann, Arvid O.I. & Kleimeier, Stefanie, 2021. "How do banks finance R&D intensive firms? the role of patents in overcoming information asymmetry✰," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:38:y:2021:i:c:s1544612319308177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2020.101485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Chang, Xiaoxing & Tian, Boshi, 2025. "Signaling effects of trade credit contracts in a dual-financing framework," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PA).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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