Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.51650/ezrvs.15.3-4.1
THE GENDER GAP IN BANK CREDIT ACCESS: THE CASE OF SMALL FIRMS
Monika Jukić
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism
Vlatka Škokić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2562-2706
; University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism
Abstract
The aim of the paper is to determine whether there is a gender gap in bank credit access among male and female entrepreneurs. In addition, the paper also investigates the differences between male and female entrepreneurs when obtaining a loan to start a business. The study is based on qualitative preliminary research among small entrepreneurs in Croatia, who requested a bank loan, regardless of whether it was rejected or approved. The results show that there is no gender gap in bank credit access. In addition, the results did not observe any differences between male and female entrepreneurs in terms of loan conditions. The problem of banks' aversion to risk, and thus to the financing of the small firms in Croatia, has been replaced by the role of the Croatian bank for reconstruction and development (HBOR). The results confirm that the model of cooperation between HBOR and commercial banks strongly encourages lending to female entrepreneurs. Finally, results show that female entrepreneurs respond to and engage in different support and educational programs, compared to their male counterparts.
Keywords
small entrepreneurs, gender gap, bank credit, access to external financing, Republic of Croatia.
Hrčak ID:
267880
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2021.
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