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The Inequality-Credit Nexus

Author

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  • Ronald Fischer
  • Diego Huerta
  • Patricio Valenzuela

Abstract

This paper explores the inequality-credit nexus from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. The paper develops an overlapping generation model in which the effect of income inequality on private credit depends on the countries’ per capita income and on the quality of laws protecting creditor rights. The model predicts that greater inequality leads to higher levels of private credit in countries with low per capita incomes and weak legal rights, whereas the reverse is true in countries with high incomes and strong legal rights. Using a panel dataset of 155 countries over the 1982 to 2015 period, the paper shows empirical evidence that is robust and consistent with the model’s predictions. The paper’s major finding suggests a credit channel through which inequality may affect economic outcomes.JEL classification: F34; G15; G21; G38. Key words: Keywords: financial development, inequality, legal rights, private credit.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald Fischer & Diego Huerta & Patricio Valenzuela, 2017. "The Inequality-Credit Nexus," Documentos de Trabajo 330, Centro de Economía Aplicada, Universidad de Chile.
    • Handle: RePEc:edj:ceauch:330
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    Cited by:

    1. Yousef Makhlouf & Neil M. Kellard & Dmitri V. Vinogradov, 2020. "Finance‐Inequality Nexus: The Long And The Short Of It," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(4), pages 1977-1994, October.
    2. Fischer, Ronald & Huerta, Diego, 2021. "Wealth inequality and the political economy of financial and labour regulations," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    3. El-Shagi, Makram & Fidrmuc, Jarko & Yamarik, Steven, 2020. "Inequality and credit growth in Russian regions," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 550-558.
    4. Thornton, John & Tommaso, Caterina Di, 2020. "The long-run relationship between finance and income inequality: Evidence from panel data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
    5. Ọláyínká Oyèkọ́lá, 2021. "Finance and inequality in a panel of US States," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 2739-2795, November.
    6. Simontinti Das & Amrita Chatterjee, 2021. "Role of ICT Dissemination and Digital Finance in Poverty Eradication and Income Inequality Reduction: A Sub-national Level Study from India," Working Papers 2021-210, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    7. Bojaj, Martin M. & Djurovic, Gordana & Fabris, Nikola & Milovic, Nikola, 2023. "Top 1% and inequality connectedness in the EMU and WB," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 139-155.
    8. Ni, Niannian & Liu, Yulin & Zhou, Hui, 2022. "Financial openness, capital rents and income inequality," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    keywords: financial development; inequality; legal rights; private credit.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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