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Bank monitoring: Evidence from syndicated loans

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  • Gustafson, Matthew T.
  • Ivanov, Ivan T.
  • Meisenzahl, Ralf R.

Abstract

We directly measure banks’ monitoring of syndicated loans. Banks typically demand borrower information on at least a monthly basis. About 20% of loans involve active monitoring (i.e., site visits or third-party appraisals). Monitoring increases with the lead bank’s incentives and the value of information and is negatively associated with loan spreads and maturity. The monitoring captured by our measures can either complement or substitute for covenant-based monitoring, depending on whether the monitoring informs covenant compliance. Banks increase monitoring following deteriorations in borrower financial condition and credit line drawdowns. Finally, monitoring is positively related to future covenant violations and loan renegotiations.

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  • Gustafson, Matthew T. & Ivanov, Ivan T. & Meisenzahl, Ralf R., 2021. "Bank monitoring: Evidence from syndicated loans," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(2), pages 452-477.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:139:y:2021:i:2:p:452-477
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2020.08.017
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    4. Hasan, Iftekhar & Lee, Haekwon & Qiu, Buhui & Saunders, Anthony, 2023. "Climate-related disclosure commitment of the lenders, credit rationing, and borrower environmental performance," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 7/2023, Bank of Finland.
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    13. Yang-pin Shen & Chou-Yen Wu & Chiuling Lu, 2023. "U.S. REIT banking relationships and syndicated loan pricing," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 447-479, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bank monitoring; Syndicated loans;

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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