Bank credit, microfinance and female ownership: Are women more disadvantaged than men?

Nirosha Wellalage () and Sujani Thrikawala

Finance Research Letters, 2021, vol. 42, issue C

Abstract: Using a comprehensive dataset on unlisted firms in 22 developing countries this paper analyses the relationship between gender, microfinance and access to bank credit. Using heckprobit to control sample selection bias, we reveal evidence of discrimination against female-owned and female-led firms. Also, we find that a mechanism for microfinance to empower women is facilitating loan applications and loan approvals for female-owned firms. Our paper highlights the importance of addressing gender discrimination in the credit market in order to facilitate the development of female-owned firms.

Keywords: Female Ownership; Bank Credit; Unlisted firms; Heckprobit; Developing countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G21 G29 J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:finlet:v:42:y:2021:i:c:s1544612321000106

DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2021.101929

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