We are calling for comparisons of banking and banking systems from a spatial perspective. Therefore, this paper develops a classification identifying decentralized and centralized banking according to two characteristics: geographical market orientation (regional vs. supraregional) - to...

Based on the classification of decentralised and centralised banking, this paper investigates diversity in business lending in the UK. Using expert interviews and desk research, the distance between lenders and SMEs in credit decisions for the identified types of lenders is classified. Due to...

Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of figures -- List of maps -- List of boxes -- List of tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- List of abbreviations -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 The geography of finance and SME lending -- 1.2 Credit decisions and rating systems -- 1.3 Research...

By lending to SMEs at low geographical distance, banks can realise competitive advantage due to enhanced access to soft information that allows the better screening of firms. As especially regional banks lend at a low distance, the decentralised German banking system is deemed ideal for SME...

By lending to SMEs at low geographical distance, banks can realise competitive advantage due to enhanced access to soft information that allows the better screening of firms. As especially regional banks lend at a low distance, the decentralised German banking system is deemed ideal for SME...

When looking at the Spanish banking market through a German lens, the differences between the banking markets in these countries and between decentralised and centralised systems with regard to the SME ]credit decision ]making process become obvious. Despite our hypotheses that Spanish savings...