Lending policies in Italian banks during the financial crisis

During the critical stage of the financial crisis - between June 2008 and December 2009 - the credit policies of Italian banks were characterized by a wide range of different behaviours and performances, not only due to bank size. An analysis of a large sample of Italian banks, representing 85% of the Italian banking system, shows the role of three other factors: 1) the operating conditions and the business model facilitating a greater supply of credit; 2) the differences between banks more dynamic and less dynamic in terms of lending policies, pricing and technical forms of loans; 3) the differences in terms of performance.