Why do firms strategically delay payments of corporate loans?

Abstract Firms may prefer to delay some loan payments while continuing to service others because of lender and loan characteristics. I explore the impact of bank‐level and bank‐firm‐level indicators on the strategic delay behaviors of nonfinancial corporations. Three factors play a key role in their strategic delay decisions. First, strategic delay events occur more when the likelihood of obtaining additional and high‐quality funding in the future is limited. Second, firms are more reluctant to delay payments of loans strategically that are easier to repay. Third, firms are more likely to delay payments when the anticipated cost of delaying is low. Importantly, as the financial literacy levels of firm owners increase, the likelihood of a strategic delay event decreases.