We exploit the deregulation of interstate bank branching laws to test whether banking competition affects innovation. We find robust evidence that banking competition reduces state-level innovation by public corporations headquartered within deregulating states. Innovation increases among...

We exploit an investor-paid rating agency's designation as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) to test whether this certification affects the agency's information production. We use a certified issuer-paid agency as a benchmark and find robust evidence that the...

We compare the stability and timeliness of credit ratings produced by a traditional issuer-paid rating agency (Moody's Investors Service) and a subscriber-paid rater (Rapid Ratings). Moody's ratings exhibit less volatility but are slower to identify default risk. We control for Moody's aversion...

Through superior technology, financial technology (FinTech) firms may expand credit markets. Alternatively, consumers may substitute one credit provider for another, generating adverse selection problems for incumbent lenders. We analyze the unsecured consumer loan market and identify the...

This paper tests whether home bias exists among information producers. We find that credit analysts are more generous when rating issuers from their home states compared to (a) benchmark analysts from outside the state and (b) their own standards for rating issuers from other states. This home...