Firm-level political risk and bank loan contracting

Abstract

We investigate the impact of firm-level political risk on loan contracting. We find that firm-level political risk is positively associated with bank loan cost and that this effect is stronger for firms experiencing increased operational uncertainty and higher default risks. Firm-level political risk also leads to more unfavorable non-pricing loan terms. To alleviate endogeneity concerns, we use an instrumental variable approach and placebo tests. We further find that political connections and relationship-based borrowing can attenuate the adverse effect of firm-level political risk on loan contracting.