Using unique panel data constructed from the Ecological Environment Survey conducted by
the authors in 2005, we evaluate how bank size, lending authority (self-loan approval
rights), incentives of loan officers (profit weights in performance evaluation, and the
payment scheme), bank competition, and institutional arrangements affect SME lending. We
find that measured by total asset, bank size as is an insignificant factor for SME lending in
most of our specifications. On the other hand, if we define banks with more hierarchical
level as big and RCCs as small, these data provides evidences that smaller banks can lend
more to SMEs. Further, if an institution has more self-loan approval right, greater
competition, and if the loan manager’s wage is linked with loan quality, lending to SMEs
will be higher. From the institutional point of view, we find that weak law enforcement will
lead to less SME lending.