Financing Firms in Hibernation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

25 Pages Posted: 11 May 2020 Last revised: 11 May 2020

See all articles by Tatiana Didier

Tatiana Didier

World Bank

Federico Huneeus

Yale University; Central Bank of Chile

Mauricio Larrain

Columbia University

Sergio L. Schmukler

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Date Written: May 8, 2020

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has halted economic activity worldwide, hurting firms and pushing them toward bankruptcy. This paper provides a unified framework to organize the policy debate related to firm financing during the downturn, centered along four main points. First, the economic crisis triggered by the spread of the virus is radically different from past crises, with important consequences for optimal policy responses. Second, to avoid inefficient bankruptcies and long-term detrimental effects, it is important to preserve firms' relationships with key stakeholders, like workers, suppliers, customers, and creditors. Third, firms can benefit from "hibernating," using the minimum bare cash necessary to withstand the pandemic, while using credit to remain alive until the crisis subdues. Fourth, the existing legal and regulatory infrastructure is ill-equipped to deal with an exogenous systemic shock such as this pandemic. Financial sector policies can help increase the provision of credit, while posing difficult choices and trade-offs.

Keywords: Financial Crisis Management & Restructuring, Health Care Services Industry, International Trade and Trade Rules, Capital Markets and Capital Flows, Capital Flows, Financial Structures

Suggested Citation

Didier, Tatiana and Huneeus, Federico and Larrain, Mauricio and Schmukler, Sergio, Financing Firms in Hibernation During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 8, 2020). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 9236, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3596576

Tatiana Didier (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
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Federico Huneeus

Yale University ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.fedehuneeus.com

Central Bank of Chile ( email )

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Chile

Mauricio Larrain

Columbia University ( email )

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New York, NY 10027
United States

Sergio Schmukler

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
MSN MC 3-301
Washington, DC 20433
United States
202-458-4167 (Phone)
202-522-3518 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/s/sergio-schmukler

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