Related Banks and Investment Efficiency within Business Groups

Abstract

This paper examines the role of a related bank in the investment efficiency of business-group firms. We show that a bank is associated with less investment sensitivity to investment opportunities for family group firms, especially in financially dependent industries. There is evidence of inefficient related lending in that the weakened investment sensitivity for family firms is linked to related-bank net-charge-offs. Alternatively, a bank is associated with greater investment sensitivity for family group firms in well-developed banking systems, and for non-family group firms in financially dependent industries. Ownership type and financial development seem pivotal for the role of a related bank.