Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/73401 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
BGPE Discussion Paper No. 108
Publisher: 
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE), Nürnberg
Abstract: 
Trade credits are an important financing tool for internationally active firms. This is surprising, as trade credits are generally more expensive than bank credits and thus a costly substitute for bank financing. In this paper, we investigate the relation between trade credits and bank credits for exporting firms. We develop a theoretical model and show that trade credits convey a quality signal which reduces the risk of the transaction and may thus facilitate obtaining additional bank credits. Thus, for exporters who are not able to obtain bank credits in the first place, trade credits and bank credits are complements. Using panel data on German manufacturing firms, we provide supportive evidence for our theoretical predictions. For financially unconstrained firms, trade credits and bank credits are substitutes. For financially constrained exporters, instead, trade credits have a significantly positive effect on the availability of bank credits.
Subjects: 
Trade Credits
Bank Credits
International Trade
Financial Constraints
JEL: 
F10
G30
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
434.43 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.