Bank Concentration and Enterprise Borrowing Cost Risk: Evidence from Asian Markets

Abstract

Based on data from nine Asian markets, this study investigates the relationship between bank concentration and the borrowing cost risk of firms. Over the study period, the concentration of banks increased in the developed countries and decreased in developing countries. After the 2007–2008 financial crisis, the borrowing cost risk increased in both the developed and developing economies. The empirical evidences show that bank concentration is positively related to the borrowing cost risk for developed economies only.