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Asymmetric Information and Corporate Lending: Evidence from SMEs Bond Markets

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Listed:
  • Alessandra Iannamorelli

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Stefano Nobili

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Antonio Scalia

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Luana Zaccaria

    (EIEF)

Abstract

Using a comprehensive dataset of Italian SMEs, we find that differences between private and public information on firm creditworthiness affect the decision to issue traded debt securities. Specifically, holding public information constant, firms with better private fundamentals are more likely to access bond markets. Additionally, credit conditions improve for issuers following the bond placement, compared with a matched sample of non-issuers. Thus, our evidence supports 'positive' (rather than adverse) selection in corporate bond markets. This is consistent with a model where banks offer more flexibility than markets during financial distress and firms use market lending to signal credit quality to outside stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Iannamorelli & Stefano Nobili & Antonio Scalia & Luana Zaccaria, 2021. "Asymmetric Information and Corporate Lending: Evidence from SMEs Bond Markets," EIEF Working Papers Series 2105, Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF), revised Mar 2021.
  • Handle: RePEc:eie:wpaper:2105
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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