Abstract
ABSTRACT What variables indicate whether a small or medium enterprise (SME) applying for financing from a development bank is a good loan candidate? Structural equation modeling applied to a set of variables can provide the necessary insights. This paper analyzes 407 SMEs that applied for development loans in Pichincha Province, Ecuador. Rather than specific economic/financial quantitative variables often used in credit scoring models, we employed qualitative variables to study creditworthiness. The structural equation methodology can verify whether a client is creditworthy based on company management, product characteristics, and contextual market aspects. Another key contribution is the finding that an entrepreneur's personal/professional traits are the primary determinant for granting this type of loan. The results have theoretical and practical implications that could enhance the limited empirical research in this field to date.
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