The crowding out effect of local government debt expansion: Insights from commercial credit financing

Abstract

Understanding the impact of local government debt expansion on microeconomic entities is crucial in evaluating local government debt policies. This study explored the crowding-out effect of local government debt on firms' commercial credit financing. We found that local government debt plays a crucial role in enhancing corporate commercial credit financing by exacerbating the financing constraints faced by firms. Second, the impact of local government debt on commercial credit financing is more pronounced for firms with lower leverage and a more stable capital chain. Third, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more susceptible to the impact of local government debt on commercial credit financing compared to private enterprises. And the crowding-out effect of local government debt on firms' commercial credit financing is more pronounced in the regions where the credit market regulation is relatively weaker. Our findings provide valuable insights that can contribute to the reform of the local government debt management system.