Trade credit and bank loan in period of financial crisis: Evidence from Tunisian exporting companies

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between trade credit and bank loan during the financial crisis using annual data on Tunisian exporting companies over the period 2005- 2011. Results based on 2SLS regression have shown that trade credit and bank credit were simultaneously determined and maintained a complementary effect before 2008 financial crisis. On the other side, the substitution effect has been detected between the two sources of short term financing during 2008 financial crisis. Finally, companies rely more on bank loan after the financial crisis because bankers are able to cover financial need of their customers.

Keywords

• Trade credit
• Financial constraints
• Tunisian exporting companies