Concentration, Hold-Up and Information Revelation in Bank Lending: Evidence From Chilean Firms

Abstract

In this paper we empirically study bank-client relationships using a sample of Chilean manufacturing firms. We examine whether concentration and the duration of bank-firm relationships affect the volume of bank lending. Our results indicate that lower concentration, measured by the number of banks a firm borrows from, is associated with a large and positive effect on borrowing. The length of borrower-lender relationships has a positive -although not always statistically significant- effect on the amount borrowed.