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Information Technology and Credit: Evidence from Public Guarantees

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  • De Marco, Filippo
  • Core, Fabrizio

Abstract

This paper investigates whether banks' information technology (IT) can substitute for local branch presence in the provision of small business credit. Our identification strategy relies on loan-level data and the unique institutional features of the Italian public guarantee scheme during Covid-19. Despite the availability of online applications and low screening incentives, small business lending remains local, even for first-time borrowers. However, IT partly mitigates the impact of local branch presence: banks with better IT provide more, cheaper and faster guaranteed loans and lend more in areas where they have no bank branches, especially to first-time borrowers.

Suggested Citation

  • De Marco, Filippo & Core, Fabrizio, 2021. "Information Technology and Credit: Evidence from Public Guarantees," CEPR Discussion Papers 15799, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15799
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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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