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Benefits of local banking in local economic development: Disparities between micro firms and other SMEs

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  • Céline Meslier

    (UNILIM - Université de Limoges, LAPE - Laboratoire d'Analyse et de Prospective Economiques - GIO - Gouvernance des Institutions et des Organisations - UNILIM - Université de Limoges)

  • Pierre-Nicolas Rehault

    (UNILIM - Université de Limoges, LAPE - Laboratoire d'Analyse et de Prospective Economiques - GIO - Gouvernance des Institutions et des Organisations - UNILIM - Université de Limoges)

  • Alain Sauviat

    (UNILIM - Université de Limoges, LAPE - Laboratoire d'Analyse et de Prospective Economiques - GIO - Gouvernance des Institutions et des Organisations - UNILIM - Université de Limoges)

  • Dian Yuan

Abstract

This paper provides new evidence on the benefits of local banking. Relying on a unique bank-level lending dataset covering 96 French counties from 2005 to 2013, completed by historical firm-level information on firm's main bank, our results reveal strong heterogeneities in the impact of local banking on SMEs' activity depending on firm size, both at the local market level and the bank-firm level. Bank proximity provides strong benefits only to micro firms, the smallest and most informationally opaque SMEs, through a higher presence of regional banks or of geographically focused banks, in both normal and crisis times. Further, we document an overall positive effect of long-lasting bank-firm relationship on SMEs economic activity in line with the continuation-lending hypothesis. Being loyal to either a regional or a national bank fosters micro firms value added, while this benefit only exists for larger SMEs which are loyal to a national bank. Furthermore, our results reveal a flight to quality phenomenon led by national banks in troubled times.

Suggested Citation

  • Céline Meslier & Pierre-Nicolas Rehault & Alain Sauviat & Dian Yuan, 2022. "Benefits of local banking in local economic development: Disparities between micro firms and other SMEs," Post-Print hal-04681683, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04681683
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2022.106594
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    1. Iotti, Mattia, . "Financial evaluation and credit access of agricultural firms," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 25(2).
    2. Sun, Ruohan & Zhou, Nan & Zhang, Bing, 2023. "Can bank branch establishment help SMEs survive? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    3. D’Apolito, Elisabetta & Galletta, Simona & Iannuzzi, Antonia Patrizia & Labini, Stefania Sylos, 2024. "Sustainability and bank credit access: New evidence from Italian SMEs," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Liu, Qiang & Mao, Yidan & Zhang, Yefeng & Xiong, Zhengling, 2025. "Targeted fiscal policy and corporate investment: Evidence from the special bonds in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    5. Arestis, Philip & Phelps, Peter, 2025. "Financial cooperatives and poverty mitigation during Brazil’s lost decade," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    6. Tong, Jamie Yixing & Wang, Yujie & Xiang, Yi & Zhang, Feida Frank, 2025. "Information sharing and loan outcome: Evidence from CEO/CFO-bank links," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(6).
    7. Chen, Hong & Jin, Zhao & Tang, Yanfei, 2025. "The innovation effects of regulation on bank wealth management products: Theory and evidence from China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    8. Mattia Iotti, 2023. "Financial evaluation and credit access of agricultural firms," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 25(2), pages 31-67.
    9. Fang, Francis Haoyu & Vlaicu, Razvan, 2024. "Local Banking Supply and Private Firm Activity: Evidence from Branch Closures," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13645, Inter-American Development Bank.
    10. Li, Xiao-Lin & Si, Deng-Kui, 2024. "Does financial market liberalization promote corporate radical innovation? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    11. Li, Shigang & Peng, Fanjia & Wu, Binzhen & Yang, Longjian, 2025. "Closing the information gap: Tax data sharing and small business finance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).

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