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Does IT Help? Information Technology in Banking and Entrepreneurship

Author

Listed:
  • Toni Ahnert
  • Sebastian Doerr
  • Mr. Nicola Pierri
  • Mr. Yannick Timmer

Abstract

This paper analyzes the importance of information technology (IT) in banking for entrepreneurship. To guide our empirical analysis, we build a parsimonious model of bank screening and lending that predicts that IT in banking can spur entrepreneurship by making it easier for startups to borrow against collateral. We provide empirical evidence that job creation by young firms is stronger in US counties that are more exposed to ITintensive banks. Consistent with a strengthened collateral lending channel for IT banks, entrepreneurship increases more in IT-exposed counties when house prices rise. In line with the model's implications, IT in banking increases startup activity without diminishing startup quality and it also weakens the importance of geographical distance between borrowers and lenders. These results suggest that banks' IT adoption can increase dynamism and productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Toni Ahnert & Sebastian Doerr & Mr. Nicola Pierri & Mr. Yannick Timmer, 2021. "Does IT Help? Information Technology in Banking and Entrepreneurship," IMF Working Papers 2021/214, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2021/214
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Xiaodong & Deng, Yunfeng & Mao, Xiaomeng, 2025. "The impact of bank digital transformation on enterprises digital technology innovation in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Yu, Zheyan & Liu, Jiacheng, 2025. "The digital revolution in banking: Unpacking risk management in the age of transformation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Leonardo Gambacorta & Fabiana Sabatini & Stefano Schiaffi, 2025. "Artificial intelligence and relationship lending," BIS Working Papers 1244, Bank for International Settlements.
    4. Liu, Ziqiang & Feng, Qiushuo & Li, Hongyi, 2024. "Digital finance, bank competition shocks and operational efficiency of local commercial banks in Western China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    5. Sun, Xiaoyan & Xie, Xuanli, 2024. "How does digital finance promote entrepreneurship? The roles of traditional financial institutions and BigTech firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Yiping Huang & Xiang Li & Han Qiu & Changhua Yu, 2023. "Big tech credit and monetary policy transmission: micro-level evidence from China," BIS Working Papers 1084, Bank for International Settlements.
    7. Zhou, Nan & Sun, Ruohan, 2024. "Coping with the storm: The role of fintech in SME survival," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    8. Huang, Yiping & Li, Xiang & Qiu, Han & Su, Dan & Yu, Changhua, 2024. "Bigtech credit, small business, and monetary policy transmission: Theory and evidence," IWH Discussion Papers 18/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), revised 2024.
    9. Doerr, S. & Erdem, M. & Franco, G. & Gambacorta, L. & Illes, A., 2021. "Technological capacity and firms’ recovery from Covid-19," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    10. Pierri, Nicola & Timmer, Yannick, 2022. "The importance of technology in banking during a crisis," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 88-104.
    11. Babina, Tania & Bahaj, Saleem & Buchak, Greg & De Marco, Filippo & Foulis, Angus & Gornall, Will & Mazzola, Francesco & Yu, Tong, 2025. "Customer data access and fintech entry: Early evidence from open banking," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    12. Beck, Anne & Doerr, Sebastian, 2023. "The financial origins of regional inequality," CEPR Discussion Papers 18685, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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