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Supporting small firms through recessions and recoveries

Author

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  • Diana Bonfim
  • Cláudia Custódio
  • Clara Raposo

Abstract

We use variation in the access to a government credit certification program to estimate the financial and real effects of supporting small firms. This program has been implemented during the global financial crisis, but has remained active ever since, allowing us to analyze its effects both during recessions and recoveries. Eligible firms have access to government loan guarantees and a credit quality certification. We estimate real effects using a multidimensional regression discontinuity design. We find that eligible firms borrow more and at lower rates than non-eligible firms, allowing them to increase investment and employment during crises. Industry-level analysis shows reduced productivity heterogeneity in more exposed industries, which is consistent with improved credit allocation. However, when the economy is recovering the effects of the program are less pronounced and centered on the certification component.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Bonfim & Cláudia Custódio & Clara Raposo, 2022. "Supporting small firms through recessions and recoveries," GEE Papers 0170, Gabinete de Estratégia e Estudos, Ministério da Economia, revised Sep 2022.
  • Handle: RePEc:mde:wpaper:0170
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bellucci, Andrea & Pennacchio, Luca & Zazzaro, Alberto, 2023. "Debt financing of SMEs: The certification role of R&D Subsidies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    3. Ting Feng & Zhongyi Xue, 2023. "The impact of government subsidies on corporate resilience: evidence from the COVID-19 shock," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 4199-4221, December.
    4. Ricardo Duque Gabriel, 2022. "The Credit Channel of Public Procurement," GEE Papers 0171, Gabinete de Estratégia e Estudos, Ministério da Economia, revised Nov 2022.
    5. Gabriel, Ricardo Duque, 2024. "The Credit Channel of Public Procurement," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(S).
    6. van der Geest, Jesse, 2024. "Economic effects of tax avoidance and compliance," Other publications TiSEM aaca33bf-975d-4e21-9b5f-5, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. Chuanzhen Li & Liang Zhao & Yiwen Zhang, 2024. "Economic policy uncertainty and cash dividend policy: evidence from China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Small Firms’ Financing; Credit Rating; Credit Certification; Cost of Debt; Investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises

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