We explore the relationship between bank branch expansion, financial inclusion and profitability for Equity Bank. Unlike traditional banks in Kenya, Equity Bank pursues branching strategies that target underserved territories and less privileged households. Its presence has a positive and...

Using a panel data set for international corporate bonds and capital account restrictions in advanced and emerging economies, we show that restrictions on capital inflows produce a substantial and economically meaningful increase in corporate bond spreads. A number of heterogeneities suggest...

This study explores the determinants of corporate bond spreads in emerging markets economies. Using a largely unexploited dataset, we find that corporate bond spreads are determined by firm-specific variables (i.e., profitability, capitalization, leverage, size and volatility of equity), bond...

This study explores the relationship between demographic factors and saving rates using a panel dataset covering 110 countries between 1963 and 2012. In line with predictions from theory, this paper finds that lower dependency rates and greater longevity increase domestic saving rates. However,...

Using household surveys and bank penetration data at the district-level in 2006 and 2009, we explore the impact of Equity Bank — a leading private commercial bank focusing on microfinance on the access to banking in Kenya. Equity Bank pursues distinct branching and business strategies that...

We provide a comprehensive review of firms’ financing channels (internal and external, domestic and international) around the globe, with the focus on alternative finance—financing from all the non-market, non-bank external sources. We argue that while traditional financing channels,...

Using the 1996-2001 Chilean CASEN Panel Survey, this paper analyzes the impact on income of the switch from salaried employment to entrepreneurship (self-employment and leadership of micro-enterprises). By means of a difference-in-differences non-parametric matching estimator the paper...

This study explores the determinants of corporate bond spreads in emerging market economies. Using a largely unexploited dataset, the paper finds that corporate bond spreads are determined by firm-specific variables, bond characteristics, macroeconomic conditions, sovereign risk, and global...

Using a novel data set and new proxies for rollover losses and market illiquidity, this paper finds that market illiquidity affects corporate bond spreads beyond a liquidity premium through a “rollover risk channel”. This effect is economically significant during episodes of market...