Loan delinquency and macroeconomic conditions

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how specific macroeconomic indicators and conditions impact short- and long-run loan delinquency rates among US commercial banks under various economic episodes. Design/methodology/approach The study employs an autoregressive distributed lag framework (ARDL) and error correction model in its examination of how loan delinquency rates are impacted by specific macroeconomic variables and conditions. Findings This study finds that in both the short and long run, a percentage growth in macroeconomic indicators, such as industrial productivity and private domestic investments, reduces loan delinquency rates among commercial banks, given all things being equal. Additionally, this study also finds that adverse macroeconomic conditions, such as inflation, economic policy uncertainty and volatility, associated with specific macroeconomic variables, such as investment growth, etc., tend to worsen loan delinquency rates. Empirical results further suggest that among the various macroeconomic conditions examined, inflationary pressures tend to have the most significant heightening impact on loan delinquency rates among commercial banks. Originality/value The uniqueness of this study, compared to similar studies found in the literature, has to do with its verification of potential association between loan delinquency rates and specific hitherto unexamined macroeconomic conditions. Compared to similar studies on loan delinquency, this study collectively examines how conditions of uncertainty, volatility and expectations of macroeconomic conditions shape loan delinquency rates among commercial banks.