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Legal Risks and Social Bonds: How Does Information About Risks Affect the Willingness to Grant a Third-Party Loan Guarantee?

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  • Elisabeth Beckmann
  • Söhnke Bergmann
  • Christa Hainz

  • Sarah Kiesl-Reiter

Abstract

Loan guarantees can enhance access to credit, but serving as a private guarantor may also increase financial vulnerability. We examine, through a randomized information experiment in the UK, how providing information about the legal ramifications and risks of loan guarantees affects individuals’ willingness to act as guarantors. We find that providing information about legal risks reduces the willingness to guarantee loans, with stronger effects for larger loan amounts. Social preferences influence individuals’ willingness to act as guarantors. Information about legal ramifications increases the willingness to grant a guarantee among altruists but decreases it among those high in positive reciprocity. While information about the UK default rate reduces willingness, individuals are less likely to update their expectations for someone they know personally, indicating in-group bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabeth Beckmann & Söhnke Bergmann & Christa Hainz & Sarah Kiesl-Reiter, 2025. "Legal Risks and Social Bonds: How Does Information About Risks Affect the Willingness to Grant a Third-Party Loan Guarantee?," CESifo Working Paper Series 12022, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy

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