Network-Motivated Lending Decisions : A Rationale for Forbearance Lending

We demonstrate theoretically and empirically the presence of forbearance lending by profit-maximizing banks to influential buyers in a supply network. If the financial market is concentrated, then banks can internalize the negative externality of an influential firm's exit. As a result, they may keep refinancing for a loss-making influential firm at an interest rate lower than the prime rate. This mechanism sheds new light on the discussion about bailouts offered to zombie firms. Our empirical study, with a unique dataset containing information about interfirm relationships and main banks, provides evidence for such network-motivated lending decisions