The Design of Bank Loan Contracts, Collateral, and Renegotiation

The Design of Bank Loan Contracts, Collateral, and Renegotiation
Author: Gary B. Gorton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

Empirical evidence suggests that banks playa unique role in the savings-investment process, affecting firms' cost of capital and the level of investment. We argue that bank uniqueness is related to how the design of bank loan contracts allows banks to affect borrowers' choice of project risk. Unlike corporate bonds, bank loans are typically secured senior debt which contain embedded options allowing the bank to quot;callquot; the loan. The option allows the bank tv control borrowers' risk-taking activity via renegotiation of the loan. We analyze the renegotiation outcomes and show that: (1) debt forgiveness occurs; (2) monitoring by the bank is not always successful in preventing the borrower from increasing risk; (3) renegotiated interest rates are not monotonic in borrower type; (4) inefficient liquidation can occur. In renegotiation seniority and collateral are crucial because they allow the bank to threaten the borrower and liquidate inefficient projects. We show that when a prepayment option is included in the bank loan contract, bank debt is more valuable (ex ante) to borrowing firms than corporate debt; it lowers the cost of capital.

The Design of Bank Loan Contracts

The Design of Bank Loan Contracts
Author: Gary B. Gorton
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2000
Genre:
ISBN:

The unique characteristics of bank loans emerge endogenously to enhance efficiency in a model of renegotiation between a borrower and a lender in which there is the potential for moral hazard on each side of the relationship. Firm risk is endogenous and renegotiated interest rates on the debt need not be monotone in firm risk. The initial terms of the debt are not set to price default risk but rather are set to efficiently balance bargaining power in later renegotiation. Loan pricing may be nonlinear, involving initial transfers either from the borrower to the bank or from the bank to the borrower.

Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap
Author: Stephan Hollander
Publisher:
Total Pages: 78
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

How do the distance constraints faced by lenders in acquiring borrower information affect the design of bank loan contracts? Theoretical studies posit that greater information asymmetry leads to the allocation of stronger ex ante decision rights to the lender (the uninformed party). Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that, upon inception, contracts tend to be more restrictive when firms seek loans from remote lenders. This finding is robust to potential endogeneity bias and simultaneity of various loan terms. Overall, we establish a strong informational link between distance and loan contract design.

Information Opacity, Credit Risk, and the Design of Loan Contracts for Private Firms

Information Opacity, Credit Risk, and the Design of Loan Contracts for Private Firms
Author: Lucy F. Ackert
Publisher:
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

This paper examines the structure and cost of a large sample of bank loans to private firms. Compared to public firms, private firms are more informationally opaque and riskier. The results suggest that the design of a loan to a private firm is significantly different from that to a public firm. Bank loans to private firms are more likely to be by a sole lender, collateralized, and have sweep covenants than loans to public firms. The cost of borrowing is higher for a private firm than for a public firm, even after holding constant firm and loan characteristics.

How Law and Institutions Shape Financial Contracts

How Law and Institutions Shape Financial Contracts
Author: Jun Qian
Publisher:
Total Pages: 43
Release: 2005
Genre: Bank loans
ISBN:

We examine empirically how legal origin, creditor rights, property rights, legal formalism, and financial development affect the design of price and non-price terms of bank loans in almost 60 countries. Our results support the law and finance view that private contracts reflect differences in legal protection of creditors and the enforcement of contracts. Loans made to borrowers in countries where creditors can seize collateral in case of default are more likely to be secured, have longer maturity, and have lower interest rates. We also find evidence, however, that ?Coasian? bargaining can partially offset weak legal or institutional arrangements. For example, lenders mitigate risks associated with weak property rights and government corruption by securing loans with collateral and shortening maturity. Our results also suggest that the choice of loan ownership structure affects loan contract terms.

Debt Renegotiation and the Design of Financial Contracts

Debt Renegotiation and the Design of Financial Contracts
Author: Christophe J. Godlewski
Publisher:
Total Pages: 49
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

I study the impact of bank loan renegotiation on the design of financial contracts. Debt renegotiation can be beneficial for borrowers and lenders but its impact on the design of financial contracts is less clear. However, contract design is crucial for borrower's investment, operating and financing policies. I find that the design of renegotiated credit agreements is not homogenous. Main renegotiation packages contain amendments to loan amount and maturity. I show that secured loans with longer maturities experience broader amendments. Creditors' friendly environment and the presence of reputable, sound, and profitable lenders have a similar effect.

Foreign Bank Branch Participation and U.S. Syndicated Loan Contract Design

Foreign Bank Branch Participation and U.S. Syndicated Loan Contract Design
Author: Daniel G. Yang (Professor of accounting)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre: Contracts
ISBN:

Prior research suggests that private loan contracts are designed with future renegotiations in mind. I examine whether and how foreign bank branch participation in loan syndicates influences loan contract design in the U.S. syndicated loan market. Dollar funding liquidity risk and institutional and cultural differences associated with foreign bank branch participation potentially affect contract design through increased renegotiation costs. Consistent with my prediction, I find that loan contracts with greater foreign bank branch participation include fewer flexibility-reducing covenants such as capital expenditure and balance sheet covenants that restrict borrowers from making positive net present value investments. I document similar results using matched samples and plausibly exogenous variations in foreign bank branch participation. Additionally, I find that loan contracts with greater foreign bank branch participation are more likely to be structured with split control rights where control rights are delegated to banks in revolving lines of credit and foreign bank branches fund term loans lacking control rights. Overall, I provide evidence that foreign bank branch participation in loan syndicates affects loan contract design through renegotiation considerations.

The form and features of loan agreements

The form and features of loan agreements
Author: Jennie Robinson
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 13
Release: 2018-07-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3668747628

Submitted Assignment from the year 2015 in the subject Economics - Finance, grade: 64.00, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, course: Legal Aspects of International Finance, language: English, abstract: While, international finance aims at «the undisturbed flow of funds from 'savers' to 'borrowers' regardless of national borders», the legal aspects of international finance encompass those «legal risks and protections available to those participating in those markets» .