The impact of credit reforms on bank loans and firm leverage around the world

Abstract

This study examines how credit reforms impact commercial bank loans and nonfinancial firms' debt. Using two international samples for commercial banks and nonfinancial firms from 2004 to 2019, we find that global information-sharing reforms encourage banks to increase corporate loans, thus improving firm debt financing, particularly in countries with weak creditor rights. Legal rights reforms significantly boost corporate bank loans in emerging countries and enhance firms' debt financing in developed countries. Our findings suggest credit reforms positively impact firms' financing; however, their effects on debt financing supply and demand vary by economic development level and the strength of creditor rights.