Banks as Lenders and Shareholders: Evidence from Japan

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of the main bank’s equity-debt structure, (i.e., equity stakes and debt claims) on firm performance and financial policies in Japan over the period 1977-1987. Results show that firms with main bank equity stakes have lower performance than those without. However, among firms with main bank equity stakes, the equity-debt structure of claims has a positive effect on firm performance. The positive effect of the main bank’s equity-debt structure is found to be greater in group-affiliated firms than in independent firms. The main bank maximizes its own interests by charging a higher interest rate when its equity stakes are relatively less than its debt claims and by prompting firms to pay more dividends when its equity stakes are relatively high.

Keywords: Firm Performance, Main Bank Equity Stakes, Main Bank Debt Claims, Bank Loan Concentration

JEL Classification: G21, G32, G35