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Asymmetric information and imperfect competition in lending markets

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  • Gregory S. Crawford
  • Nicola Pavanini
  • Fabiano Schivardi

Abstract

We measure the consequences of asymmetric information and imperfect competition in the Italian lending market. We show that banks' optimal price response to an increase in adverse selection varies with competition. Exploiting matched data on loans and defaults, we estimate models of demand for credit, loan use, pricing, and firm default. We find evidence of adverse selection and evaluate its importance. While indeed prices rise in competitive markets and decline in concentrated ones, the former effect dominates, suggesting that while market power can mitigate the adverse effects of asymmetric information, mainstream concerns about its effects survive with imperfect competition.

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  • Gregory S. Crawford & Nicola Pavanini & Fabiano Schivardi, 2015. "Asymmetric information and imperfect competition in lending markets," ECON - Working Papers 192, Department of Economics - University of Zurich.
    • Handle: RePEc:zur:econwp:192
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asymmetric information; imperfect competition; lending markets; Italian banking; adverse selection;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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