Does Local Financial Development Matter?

Preprint
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
  • 1 January 2002
    • preprint
      • Published in RePEc
Abstract
We study the effects of differences in local financial development within an integrated financial market. To do so, we construct a new indicator of financial development by estimating a regional effect on the probability that, ceteris paribus, a household is shut off from the credit market. By using this indicator we find that financial development enhances the probability an individual starts his own business, favors entry, increases competition, and promotes growth of firms. As predicted by theory, these effects are weaker for larger firms, which can more easily raise funds outside of the local area. Overall, the results suggest local financial development is an important determinant of the economic success of an area even in an environment where there are no frictions to capital movements.
All Related Versions

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: