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Distressed firms, zombie firms and zombie lending: a taxonomy

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Álvarez

    (Banco de España)

  • Miguel García-Posada

    (Banco de España)

  • Sergio Mayordomo

    (Banco de España)

Abstract

This papers develops a taxonomy of financially distressed and zombie firms using a rich dataset that combines detailed firm-level and bank-firm level information in Spain. A distressed firm exhibits both cash-flow and balance-sheet insolvency whereas a zombie firm is a distressed company that has received new credit. We carry out several analyses to test the validity of these definitions. For instance, we find that being distressed is negatively correlated with the probability of receiving new credit. However, the main bank of a distressed firm is more reluctant to restrict the supply of credit to such firm than a bank with no previous exposure to the company, which may reflect the incentives of the former to engage in loan evergreening. This financial support contributes to keeping zombie firms afloat for a longer period than distressed firms. Moreover, the contraction in capital, employment and sales is much larger in distressed firms than in zombie firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Álvarez & Miguel García-Posada & Sergio Mayordomo, 2022. "Distressed firms, zombie firms and zombie lending: a taxonomy," Working Papers 2219, Banco de España.
    • Handle: RePEc:bde:wpaper:2219
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    2. Rachid Achbah, 2023. "Manager Characteristics and SMEs’ Restructuring Decisions: In-Court vs. Out-of-Court Restructuring," Post-Print hal-04279942, HAL.
    3. Modina, Michele & Pietrovito, Filomena & Gallucci, Carmen & Formisano, Vincenzo, 2023. "Predicting SMEs’ default risk: Evidence from bank-firm relationship data," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 254-268.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    taxonomy of firms; distressed firms; zombie firms; credit supply; loan evergreening; real effects;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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