Sovereign credit rating provision and financial development

Oskar Kowalewski (), Prabesh Luitel and Rosanne Vanpée

Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, 2025, vol. 101, issue C

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of obtaining a sovereign credit rating for the first time on financial development in 50 emerging countries. Controlling for endogeneity and selection bias, we show that receiving an initial sovereign credit rating significantly transforms domestic financial systems. Rated countries experience a reallocation of bank assets, reduced reliance on domestic bank financing, and increased access to international bond markets, enabling expanded private-sector credit. Sovereign ratings also stimulate local currency bond market development and enhance foreign currency bond issuance. Additionally, they attract portfolio equity inflows and foster the internationalization of domestic banks, though their effects on direct debt flows and FDI are less pronounced. Overall, our findings highlight the critical role of sovereign credit ratings in advancing financial development and integration in emerging markets.

Keywords: Sovereign credit rating; Financial development; Banking sector; Bond market; Foreign capital inflows; Emerging markets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F34 G21 G28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:intfin:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s1042443125000435

DOI: 10.1016/j.intfin.2025.102153

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