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Do Banks Lend to Distressed Firms?

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel Faria-e-Castro
  • Pascal Paul
  • Juan M. Sánchez

Abstract

Concerns emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic over banks continuing to lend to unproductive businesses that were close to default. Recent research shows that lenders have incentives to offer relatively better terms to less-productive and more-indebted firms to recover their prior investments. U.S. loan-level data confirm the empirical relevance of such lending behavior. A rich model of firms and banks further emphasizes that this type of lending can also depress overall productivity by sustaining firms that should otherwise exit the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Faria-e-Castro & Pascal Paul & Juan M. Sánchez, 2023. "Do Banks Lend to Distressed Firms?," FRBSF Economic Letter, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, vol. 2023(31), pages 1-5, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedfel:97377
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asim Ijaz Khwaja & Atif Mian, 2008. "Tracing the Impact of Bank Liquidity Shocks: Evidence from an Emerging Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(4), pages 1413-1442, September.
    2. Viral V. Acharya & Matteo Crosignani & Tim Eisert & Sascha Steffen, 2022. "Zombie Lending: Theoretical, International, and Historical Perspectives," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 14(1), pages 21-38, November.
    3. Joe Peek & Eric S. Rosengren, 2005. "Unnatural Selection: Perverse Incentives and the Misallocation of Credit in Japan," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(4), pages 1144-1166, September.
    4. Ricardo J. Caballero & Takeo Hoshi & Anil K. Kashyap, 2008. "Zombie Lending and Depressed Restructuring in Japan," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(5), pages 1943-1977, December.
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