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Non-bank lending and firm performance: Evidence from the syndicate loan market

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  • Biswas, Sonny
  • Ozkan, Neslihan
  • Yin, Junyang

Abstract

We find that in the leveraged loan sector, firms borrowing from non-banks have lower profitability following loan originations, compared to firms borrowing from banks, after controlling for observable factors. As non-bank borrowers experience less intense monitoring than bank borrowers, they engage in more risk-taking, which could explain their lower profitability following loan issuance. Using the leveraged lending guidance as a plausibly exogenous shock, which resulted in the migration of borrowers from banks to non-banks, we provide causal evidence corroborating our main results. Overall, our findings suggest that macroprudential policies which exclusively target the traditional banking sector may have negative consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Biswas, Sonny & Ozkan, Neslihan & Yin, Junyang, 2025. "Non-bank lending and firm performance: Evidence from the syndicate loan market," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:181:y:2025:i:c:s0378426625001815
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2025.107561
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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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