The Political Economy of Relationship Banking
Forthcoming in Research in International Business and Finance, 51, 2020
32 Pages Posted: 16 May 2019 Last revised: 5 Sep 2019
Date Written: April 15, 2019
Abstract
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, banks need to reevaluate their position in light of profound changes in the economic, social, and political landscape. On the one hand, we emphasize the benefits of relationship banking, which establishes close contact with bank customers. Through a long-term orientation, relationship banking aligns incentives and supports the long-term needs of bank customers, leading to reduced inequality and greater firm innovation. On the other hand, the interaction between politics and relationship banking can have dark sides. First, with new borders arising and competition in banking affected, relationship banking might be particularly prone to political interference. Second, a shock to the relationship bank can be transmitted to its borrowers. We analyze how relationship banking can overcome its drawbacks.
Keywords: Banking, Relationship Banking, Financial Crisis, Political Interference, Politics
JEL Classification: G20, G21, L86, O33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation