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The Use of Debt Covenants Worldwide: Institutional Determinants and Implications on Financial Reporting

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  • Hyun A. Hong
  • Mingyi Hung
  • Jieying Zhang

Abstract

This study investigates how the use of debt covenants around the world varies with legal institutions. On the basis of syndicated loans in 36 countries, we find that debt covenants are more prevalent in countries with stronger law enforcement and weaker creditor rights, suggesting that law enforcement facilitates, and creditor rights substitute for, the use of covenants. We also find that the substitution effect between covenant use and creditor rights exists mainly in countries with strong law enforcement, and the effect of legal institutions on covenants is primarily driven by covenants that preserve seniority and capital. In addition, timely loss recognition increases with the use of debt covenants and strong creditor rights attenuate this relation. Overall, our study is the first to provide comprehensive evidence on how the use of debt covenants responds to legal institutions and how it bridges the previously documented link between legal institutions and accounting conservatism.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyun A. Hong & Mingyi Hung & Jieying Zhang, 2016. "The Use of Debt Covenants Worldwide: Institutional Determinants and Implications on Financial Reporting," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(2), pages 644-681, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:33:y:2016:i:2:p:644-681
    DOI: 10.1111/1911-3846.12169
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    Cited by:

    1. Takuma Kochiyama & Ryosuke Nakamura & Akinobu Shuto, 2021. "How do bank lenders use borrowers’ financial statements? Evidence from a survey of Japanese banks," CARF F-Series CARF-F-522, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    2. Chao‐Jung Chen & Wen He & Chien‐Ju Lu & Xin Yu, 2022. "Bank loan covenants, accrual quality and firms’ information environment," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 547-575, March.
    3. Chy, Mahfuz & Kyung, Hoyoun, 2023. "The effect of bond market transparency on bank loan contracting," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(2).
    4. Takuma Kochiyama & Ryosuke Nakamura, 2021. "Debt covenants in Japanese loan markets: in comparison with the traditional relationship banking," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 305-334, March.
    5. Colleen Honigsberg & Sharon P. Katz & Sunay Mutlu & Gil Sadka, 2021. "State contract law and the use of accounting information in debt contracts," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 124-171, March.
    6. L ' Effet & Yao Maurice & Yves Mard & Éric Séverin, 2020. "The Effect of Earnings Management on Debt Maturity: An International Study," Post-Print hal-03029366, HAL.
    7. Albanez, Tatiana & Schiozer, Rafael, 2022. "The signaling role of covenants and the speed of capital structure adjustment under poor creditor rights: Evidence from domestically and cross-listed firms in Brazil," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).

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