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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 33 No. 6 2009

Inside the black box: Bank credit allocation in China’s private sector

Michael Firth1; Chen-Ta Lin2; Ping Liu1; Sonia M. L. Wong1

1 Department of Finance and Insurance, Lingnan University, Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong · 2 City University of Hong Kong

open access

Abstract

This study examines how the Chinese state-owned banks allocate loans to private firms. We find that the banks extend loans to financially healthier and better-governed firms, which implies that the banks use commercial judgments in this segment of the market. We also find that having the state as a minority owner helps firms obtain bank loans and this suggests that political connections play a role in gaining access to bank finance. In addition, we find that commercial judgments are important determinants of the lending decisions for manufacturing firms, large firms, and firms located in regions with a more developed banking sector; political connections are important for firms in service industries, large firms, and firms located in areas with a less developed banking sector.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2008.12.008
Volume
33
Issue
6
Pages
1144-1155
Language
en
Sources
crossref openalex bibtex:phds-export.bib

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