research
The Impact of Competition on Bank Orientation
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Abstract
How do banks react to increased competition?Recent banking theory offers conflicting predictions about the impact of competition on bank orientation - i.e., the choice of relationship based versus transactional banking.We empirically investigate the impact of interbank competition on bank branch orientation.We employ a unique data set containing detailed information on bank-firm relationships.We find that bank branches facing stiff local competition engage considerably more in relationship-based lending.Our results illustrate that competition and relationships are not necessarily inimical.bank orientation;bank industry specialization;competition;lending relationships