The Real Effects of FinTech Lending on SMEs: Evidence from Loan Applications

48 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2022

See all articles by Afonso Eca

Afonso Eca

Nova School of Business and Economics

Miguel A. Ferreira

Nova School of Business and Economics; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Melissa Porras Prado

Nova School of Business and Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Antonino Emanuele Rizzo

Nova School of Business and Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 4 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 1, 2022

Abstract

We show that FinTech lending affects credit markets and real economic activity using a unique data set of a Peer-to-Business platform for which we have the universe of loan applications. We find that FinTech serves high quality and creditworthy small businesses who already have access to bank credit. Firms use FinTech to obtain long-term unsecured loans and reduce their exposure to banks with less liquid assets, stable funds, and capital. We find that access to FinTech spurs firm growth, employment and investment relative to firms that get their loan application rejected. In addition, firms with access to FinTech increase leverage and substitute long-term bank debt with FinTech debt. Our findings suggest that FinTech allows firms to preserve financial flexibility, reduce their bank dependence and exposure to banking shocks.

Keywords: bank relationships, debt structure, FinTech, firm growth, small business lending

JEL Classification: G21, G23, O33

Suggested Citation

Eca, Afonso and Ferreira, Miguel Almeida and Porras Prado, Melissa and Rizzo, Antonino Emanuele, The Real Effects of FinTech Lending on SMEs: Evidence from Loan Applications (February 1, 2022). ECB Working Paper No. 2022/2639, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4035081 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4035081

Afonso Eca (Contact Author)

Nova School of Business and Economics ( email )

Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda, 1
Carcavelos, 2775-405
Portugal

Miguel Almeida Ferreira

Nova School of Business and Economics ( email )

Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda, 1
Carcavelos, 2775-405
Portugal

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Melissa Porras Prado

Nova School of Business and Economics ( email )

Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda 1
Carcavelos, 2775-405
Portugal

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Antonino Emanuele Rizzo

Nova School of Business and Economics ( email )

Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda, 1
Carcavelos, 2775-405
Portugal

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