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Fetching better deals from creditors: Board busyness, agency relationships and the bank cost of debt

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  • Trinh, Vu Quang
  • Aljughaiman, Abdullah A.
  • Cao, Ngan Duong

Abstract

In a cross-country setting, we document that busy boards of directors (i.e., outside directors with multiple directorships) enhance a bank's financing capacity by lowering its cost of debt, which is consistent with the signalling quality hypothesis. Our analysis further reveals that this negative association is more pronounced in conventional banks than their Islamic counterparts. Possibly owning to the distinctive governance structure and the complexity of the Islamic business model, which requires closer monitoring, Muslim debtholders might depreciate a busy board of directors as it is likely to associate with lower scrutinising effectiveness. Our results provide a positive counterpoint to the negative relationship that exists between busy directors and firm performance, and contributes to understanding the indispensable role busy boards play in debt financing.

Suggested Citation

  • Trinh, Vu Quang & Aljughaiman, Abdullah A. & Cao, Ngan Duong, 2020. "Fetching better deals from creditors: Board busyness, agency relationships and the bank cost of debt," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:69:y:2020:i:c:s1057521920301162
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2020.101472
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    8. Aljughaiman, Abdullah A. & Cao, Ngan Duong & Trinh, Vu Quang & Albarrak, Mohammed & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2023. "Does gender diversity affect financial strength differently in conventional and Islamic banks? Evidence from MENA countries," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Board busyness; Islamic banks; Conventional banks; Cost of debt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • L50 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - General
    • M4 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting

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