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Bank green lending and credit risk: an empirical analysis of China's Green Credit Policy

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  • Xiao Yan Zhou
  • Ben Caldecott
  • Andreas G. F. Hoepner
  • Yao Wang

Abstract

This study empirically investigates the relationship between banks' green lending and their credit risk, and how Chinese green finance regulations contribute to the solvency of individual banks and the resilience of the financial system. Analysing a sample of 41 Chinese banks from 2007 to 2018, we find that the association between a bank's (relative) green lending as a proportion of its overall loan portfolio, and its credit risk, depends critically on the size and structure of state ownership. While the implementation of China's Green Credit Policy reduces credit risk for the major state‐controlled banks, it increases credit risk for the city and regional commercial banks. This performance difference appears largely due to information and expertise asymmetries, with the city and regional commercial banks having less access to information and expertise necessary to evaluate the credit risk of green lending. Understanding this phenomenon can help policymakers tailor green finance policies according to banks' characteristics. It also suggests that mechanisms and platforms for the city/regional commercial banks to learn from the major state‐controlled banks could be beneficial.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Yan Zhou & Ben Caldecott & Andreas G. F. Hoepner & Yao Wang, 2022. "Bank green lending and credit risk: an empirical analysis of China's Green Credit Policy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1623-1640, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:31:y:2022:i:4:p:1623-1640
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2973
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    7. Haoyang Lu & Jing Tong & Yajiao Tang, 2022. "Analysis of Green Credit and the Ecological Welfare Performance Based on Empirical Models and ARIMA(2,3,2): Taking China as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    8. Haiyan Sun & Guangyang Wang & Junwei Bai & Jianfei Shen & Xinyuan Zheng & Erli Dan & Feiyu Chen & Ludan Zhang, 2022. "Corporate Sustainable Development, Corporate Environmental Performance and Cost of Debt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Zheng, Xinyuan & Shen, Jianfei, 2024. "Corporate environmental information disclosure, managerial ownership and the cost of debt," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 645-659.
    10. Ge, Yongbo & Zhu, Yuexiao, 2022. "Boosting green recovery: Green credit policy in heavily polluted industries and stock price crash risk," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    11. Rabab Triki & Bassem Kahouli & Kais Tissaoui & Haykel Tlili, 2023. "Assessing the Link between Environmental Quality, Green Finance, Health Expenditure, Renewable Energy, and Technology Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.
    12. An, Xin & Ding, Yue & Wang, Yao, 2023. "Green credit and bank risk: Does corporate social responsibility matter?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    13. Anh Huu Nguyen & Mai Hoang Thi Do & Thinh Gia Hoang & Loan Quynh Thi Nguyen, 2023. "Green financing for sustainable development: Insights from multiple cases of Vietnamese commercial banks," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 321-335, January.
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    15. Jorge E. Galán & Yong Tan, 2024. "Green light for green credit? Evidence from its impact on bank efficiency," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 531-550, January.
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