LIQUIDITY INSURANCE, CREDIT MARKET FRICTIONS, AND CORPORATE RESILIENCE: AN ASSESSMENT OF POST-FINANCIAL CRISIS LINE OF CREDIT FOR CANADIAN FIRMS

This paper investigates the role of lines of credit (LOCs) in supporting Canadian firms’ financing and investment behavior in the post-financial crisis period, with particular attention to their function as liquidity insurance during systemic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using firm-level data and econometric analysis, the study demonstrates that LOCs mitigate liquidity constraints, enhance corporate financial flexibility, and sustain investment capacity, although their effectiveness is moderated by firm size, leverage, and profitability. The findings further reveal that while large and financially robust firms gain significant benefits, smaller firms continue to face barriers in accessing LOC facilities. Moreover, systemic stress conditions highlight the dependence of LOC effectiveness on the stability of the banking sector and macroeconomic policy interventions. The study contributes to the growing body of empirical evidence by emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks, enhanced banking sector resilience, and targeted policy interventions to ensure equitable access to liquidity insurance mechanisms. These insights hold significant implications for policymakers, banks, and firms seeking to strengthen corporate resilience and macro-financial stability in Canada’s evolving economic landscape.