Optimal lending contracts with long run borrowing constraints

Abstract

This paper discusses two variations to the optimal lending contract under asymmetric information studied in Clementi and Hopenhayn (2006). One variation assumes that the entrepreneur is less patient than the bank, and the other assumes the bank has limited commitment. The qualitative properties of the two modified contracts are very similar. In particular, both variations lead to borrowing constraints that are always binding such that the firm is financially constrained throughout its life cycle and subject to a positive probability of being liquidated eventually.