Seizing Opportunities: Small Businesses, Social Capital, and Banks
63 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2022 Last revised: 4 May 2023
Date Written: April 28, 2023
Abstract
Why do small businesses exploit business opportunities better in some areas than others? In a sample of 1.2 million consumer-facing establishments, social capital predicts the uptake of risk-free loans controlling for close-by bank branches, income, and education. One standard deviation increase in the social capital metric accounts for 20 percent of the variation in uptake across zip codes, surpassing the impact of a bank branch within 1000 yards. Strong social capital benefits large, low-growth stores in less-dynamic areas, whereas bank branches benefit small, high-growth stores in more-dynamic areas. Virtual connections have the greatest effect on takeup in already advantaged locations.
Keywords: Social Capital, Reciprocity, Business Dynamism,Small Business, Local Banks, PPP, Virtual Connections
JEL Classification: G32, G20, Z1
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation