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The sensitivity of SME’s investment and employment to the cost of debt financing

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  • Diana Bonfim
  • Cláudia Custódio

Abstract

We use variation in the access to a government credit certification program in Portugal to estimate the sensitivity of SMEs´ investment and employment to the cost of debt financing. Targeted firms have access to a credit certification and loan guarantees. We use a multidimensional regression discontinuity design to estimate real effects. Eligible firms increase borrowing and obtain bank loans at lower rates than non-eligible firms, allowing them to increase investment and employment during crises. Eligible firms also exhibit increased return on assets and default less. Industry-level analysis shows reduced heterogeneity in access to credit in more exposed industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Bonfim & Cláudia Custódio, 2021. "The sensitivity of SME’s investment and employment to the cost of debt financing," Working Papers w202115, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.
  • Handle: RePEc:ptu:wpaper:w202115
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    Cited by:

    1. Bellucci, Andrea & Borisov, Alexander & Giombini, Germana & Zazzaro, Alberto, 2023. "Information asymmetry, external certification, and the cost of bank debt," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Ferreira, M. & Haber, T. & Rörig, C., 2021. "Financial Factors, Firm size and Firm Potential," Janeway Institute Working Papers 2110, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    3. Miguel Ferreira & Timo Haber & Christian Rorig, 2023. "Financial Constraints and Firm Size: Micro-Evidence and Aggregate Implications," Working Papers 777, DNB.
    4. Ahnert, Toni & Doerr, Sebastian & Pierri, Nicola & Timmer, Yannick, 2022. "Information Technology in Banking and Entrepreneurship," CEPR Discussion Papers 17335, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Kazakov, Aleksandr & Koetter, Michael & Titze, Mirko & Tonzer, Lena, 2024. "The effect of firm subsidies on credit markets," IWH Discussion Papers 24/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), revised 2024.
    6. Kazakov, Aleksandr & Koetter, Michael & Titze, Mirko & Tonzer, Lena, 2022. "Firm subsidies, financial intermediation, and bank risk," IWH Discussion Papers 2/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    7. Aleksandr Kazakov & Michael Koetter & Mirko Titze & Lena Tonzer, 2022. "Firm subsidies, financial intermediation, and bank stability," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-078/IV, Tinbergen Institute.

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