Australian central bank holds rate as growth slips

Significance The RBA has cut its growth forecasts amid rising job losses, weakening demand and increasing signs that the latest COVID-19 lockdowns will continue to slow the economy until the pace of the vaccine roll-out programme can be increased. Impacts Although the RBA is independent, the government will hope it keeps rates low ahead of the elections due next year. Commercial lenders could raise interest rates independently of the RBA if inflation remains high. Wage pressures will re-emerge as labour markets tighten but may be mitigated by the extent of underemployment. Economic growth will be uneven across the country in coming months as pandemic-related restrictions vary by location.

Small business debt financing: the effect of lender structural complexity

PurposeSmall- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) depend on a large measure on commercial banks for external capital, and US SMEs are increasingly experiencing bank credit constraints and resorting to costly alternatives. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of lender organizational complexity on SME financing shortfalls. In particular, it examines the credit shortage effects associated with the SME's reliance on bank holding company (BHC) owned, as opposed to independent, lenders.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on agency–theoretic rationales, the authors posit that both hierarchical and horizontal complexity associated with present-day BHC structures will diminish an affiliated bank's ability and willingness to properly underwrite SME credit needs. Consequently, they hypothesize that SMEs whose commercial lenders are BHC affiliates are likely to experience greater credit shortages. This hypothesis was tested using exhaustive financial data from a large and nationally representative sample of US SMEs.FindingsGreater SME reliance on loans from BHC lenders was found to be associated with a greater use of late trade–credit payments. The latter is an expensive form of financing and a generally accepted indicator of shortages in conventional (and cheaper) bank credit.Originality/valueDespite the evolution toward more complex bank organizational forms, especially among community banks, the implications for SME lending are not yet fully understood. This paper's contribution is to offer a first examination of the impact of post-deregulation BHC structures on SME financing shortfalls.

Commercial lender judgments and fair-value recognition: an investigation into the impact of future accounting standards

PurposeThis paper examines the impact that fair-value recognition of non-financial assets has on the judgments of commercial lenders.Design/methodology/approachCommercial lenders, who were attending a national banking conference, participated in a controlled experiment.FindingsThe experimental results show that commercial lenders incorporate fair values into their judgments but only when this information is recognized (vs disclosed) on the financial statements. Additionally, lenders assigned the highest loan interest rates when recognized fair values increased net income, and they assign the lowest loan amounts when recognized fair values decreased net income.Research limitations/implicationsTypical limitations regarding behavioral experiments are acknowledged in the paper. For example, the commercial lenders in this study could not request additional information. In addition, because of the difficulty in obtaining these participants, the sample size is relatively small.Practical implicationsUS Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) does not allow the fair-market valuation for most non-current assets while International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) require such valuations. The article adds to our understanding about how a significant user group of financial statements, commercial lenders, view GAAP and IFRS accounting.Social implicationsThis article provides insights regarding how commercial lenders' decisions may change based on accounting principles related to asset valuation. Obtaining credit through loans has significant implications for society.Originality/valueThis article is unique because it examines commercial lenders' judgments using different asset valuations on the financial statements.

Return on Investment Analysis of Private Sector Facilitation Funds for Rwandan Agribusinesses

This study analyzes the return on investment for an agribusiness facilitation fund implemented in Rwanda. Combining project monitoring data with supplementary surveys and interviews of recipient agribusinesses, we find a positive return on investment in terms of farmer income generated per dollar spent by the US government. To determine the commercial viability of the investments, we estimate the payback period and find the median time it will take a firm to recoup the entire investment through profits is 3.7 years. We estimate the net present value of the entire fund portfolio to be $12.5 million. These estimates rely on conservative assumptions and likely underrepresent the profitability of the investments. Given the positive returns and commercial viability of the agribusinesses, we examine the fund’s role as a first step to “graduate” firms toward investment readiness. Although three firms did access equity investment, we find that the majority of the businesses in the portfolio do not meet investor requirements for deal size and management capacity and are more appropriately financed by commercial lenders. We conclude with recommendations for the implementation and measurement of similar funds.

Discussion of commercial lender judgment and fair-value recognition: an investigation into the impact of future accounting standards

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the study by Warne (2020), which investigates whether disclosure or recognition of fair value information for nonfinancial assets influences commercial lenders’ judgment on interest rates and the dollar amounts of business loans.Design/methodology/approachProvides a discussion of research design and general issues related to behavioral/experimental studies.FindingsIdentifies issues that should be carefully thought out and properly addressed by behavioral researchers in order to improve the robustness of the empirical evidence.Originality/valueThis discussion highlights issues that should be carefully thought out and properly addressed by behavioral researchers in order to improve the robustness of the empirical evidence.

Erdogan will continue dubious Istanbul canal

Subject The controversial plan for a ship canal bypassing the Bosphorus. Significance The ruling party's proposal to build a new canal for shipping has attracted widespread criticism, most pointedly that it is the president’s ‘vanity project’ and is neither necessary nor financially viable. An environmental impact assessment will need to be prepared and approved before construction can start. Impacts If commercial lenders cannot be found, the government may use Turkey’s new sovereign wealth fund. Equity or income from leading state companies might have to be used as collateral to build the canal. Developers would enjoy treasury revenue guarantees, despite the face that public finances are already under strain.

Authority of the Party Affected by the Changed Circumstances and Authorisations of the Court // Ovlašćenja strane pogođene promenjenim okolnostima i ovlašćenja suda

Investment in the economy is necessary and essential, and lack of personal funds are overcome by encouraging and attracting foreign investment. Business practice shows that all sophisticated investors and lenders insist on the so-called. pricing schemes, which are adaptable to changing circumstances during long-term contracts with successive or permanent fulfillment. Countries, where most of the international commercial lenders are located, consider that the Fixed Price Contract also includes the division of the business risk. However, per our law, a Fixed Price Contract is not also a redistribution of business risk, which means that in case of external events parties are required to fulfill their obligations. Why is this significant? If there are no contractual provisions, that regulate the contract adjustments related to the changed circumstances, then the used provisions are from the host country which legal terms are determined.