Work

US Bank Lending to Small Businesses: An Analysis of COVID-19 and the Paycheck Protection Program

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the characteristics of banks and their lending behavior in relation to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and commercial and industrial (C&I) loans to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings show that lenders facing greater risk tended to lend more PPP loans, consistent with the risk-aversion theory. Specifically, banks with a higher loan–deposit ratio, lower overall profitability, poorer loan quality, and higher exposure to risks in business (C&I) loans are characterized by higher PPP loans. C&I loans to all businesses are negatively related to the loan–deposit ratio and loan loss allowance ratio, but are positively linked with the capital ratio. However, we find important differences in C&I lending to small businesses versus large businesses. Furthermore, there is evidence regarding the success of targeting PPP loans towards more productive sectors of the US economy. Using FDIC-defined banks’ lending specializations, we show that banks focused on international lending had a limited role in PPP lending.

Source: Journal of risk and financial management

DOI: 10.3390/jrfm18050231

Authors: Benjamin A. Abugri, Theophilus T. Osah

Institutions: Southern Connecticut State University, Texas Lutheran University

Language: English

Topic: Banking stability, regulation, efficiency

Subfield: Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,689