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Debt maturity and the cost of bank loans

Author

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  • Wang, Chih-Wei
  • Chiu, Wan-Chien
  • King, Tao-Hsien Dolly

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which a firm's debt maturity structure affects the cost of bank loans. By examining the U.S. syndicated loans from 1990 and 2014, we find that debt maturity structure is a major determinant of loan spreads, after accounting for firm- and loan-specific variables and firm and year fixed effects. A one standard deviation increase in the ratio of short-term debt to total assets is associated with an increase of 11.44 basis points in loan spread, representing an additional $0.644 million in interest expenses. The results support the rollover risk hypothesis, which predicts that short-term debts intensify the shareholder and bondholder conflicts and lead to greater credit risk. In addition, high-growth firms experience significantly smaller increases in their loan spreads than low-growth firms when the short-term debt ratio increases. This finding is consistent with the asset substitution theory that short-term debt mitigates the managerial/shareholders’ risk-taking incentives, leading to a decrease in firm risk. Our results remain strong when we use alternative short-term debt proxies, address endogeneity concerns, and perform various robustness tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chih-Wei & Chiu, Wan-Chien & King, Tao-Hsien Dolly, 2020. "Debt maturity and the cost of bank loans," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:112:y:2020:i:c:s0378426617302546
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2017.10.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bank loan; Short-term debt; Debt maturity; Rollover risk; Asset substitution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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