The 'Privatization' of Municipal Debt
42 Pages Posted: 20 Oct 2017 Last revised: 8 Feb 2021
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The 'Privatization' of Municipal Debt
Claim Dilution in the Municipal Debt Market
Date Written: February 7, 2021
Abstract
Using confidential loan-level data, we investigate the importance of bank loans in the debt structure of U.S. state and local governments. We show that most bank debt is closely substitutable with municipal bonds and that smaller, lower-income and less credit-worthy borrowers are more reliant on bank borrowing. Moreover, we document a sizable difference in the maturity structure of bonds and loans that allows municipalities to save on interest costs but that could also lead to diluting bondholders' claims. Such dilution concerns are amplified by governments substantially increasing bank borrowing in response to credit quality deterioration. This suggests the upward trend in bank borrowing will likely persist if fiscal positions continue to decline.
Keywords: state and local governments' debt, debt heterogeneity, fiscal shocks
JEL Classification: H74; G21; G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation