Finance and Oil: Is There a Resource Curse in Financial Development?

Abstract

This paper shows that the finance and growth relationship is as important in resource-based economies as in other economies. This paper also documents less developed financial systems in resource-based economies and banks that are more liquid, better capitalized and more profitable, but give fewer loans to firms. Firms in resource-based economies use less external finance and a smaller share of them uses bank loans, although there is the same level of demand as in other countries, thus pointing to supply constraints. Overall, there is some indication of a natural resource curse in financial development, which falls more on enterprises than on households. This calls for intensified efforts in resource-based economies to deepen and broaden financial systems.

Keywords: Financial Development, Natural Resource Curse

JEL Classification: G10, G20, Q39