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Firm Size Dependence in the Determinants of Bank Term Loan Maturity

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  • Steven A. Dennis
  • Ian G. Sharpe

Abstract

We examine the hypothesis that firm size affects the sensitivity of bank term loan maturity to its underlying determinants. As borrower size increases, negotiating power with the lender and information transparency increase, while the lender is able to spread the fixed costs of loan production across a larger dollar value of the loan. We find strong evidence of firm size dependency in the determinants of bank term loan maturity and show that this is unrelated to syndication. Only large borrowers can manipulate bank loan contract terms so as to increase firm value.

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  • Steven A. Dennis & Ian G. Sharpe, 2005. "Firm Size Dependence in the Determinants of Bank Term Loan Maturity," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1‐2), pages 31-64, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:32:y:2005:i:1-2:p:31-64
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0306-686X.2005.00587.x
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    3. Cynthia Holmes & Michael LaCour-Little, 2007. "Multifamily Mortgage Lending: A Comparison of the U.S. and Canada," International Real Estate Review, Global Social Science Institute, vol. 10(1), pages 151-170.
    4. Fang, Sheng & Qian, Xuesong & Zou, Wei, 2020. "The empirical relation between loan risk and collateral in the shadow banking system: Evidence from China’s entrusted loan market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 42-54.
    5. Jong Chool Park & Qiang Wu, 2009. "Financial Restatements, Cost of Debt and Information Spillover: Evidence From the Secondary Loan Market," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(9‐10), pages 1117-1147, November.
    6. Weetman, Pauline, 2006. "Discovering the ‘international’ in accounting and finance," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 351-370.
    7. Christophe Godlewski & Laurent Weill, 2011. "Does Collateral Help Mitigate Adverse Selection? A Cross-Country Analysis," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 40(1), pages 49-78, October.
    8. Pavel Ševcík, 2012. "Financial Contracts and the Political Economy of Investor Protection," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(4), pages 163-197, October.

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