The impact of green lending on credit risk: evidence from UAE’s banks

This study investigates the impact of UAE’s Green Credit Policy on the non-performing loan. One of the main pillars in the UAE green agenda 2015–2030 is the green finance that has been growing in high acceleration in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the whole world. Consequently, the main objective of this study is to investigate in the financial risks that associated with green lending and whether an increasing in green lending will decrease the non-performing loans ratio (NPLR) of UAE banks, based on the period 2015–2020 dataset of 23 UAE’s banks. To achieve this objective, we have used a regression technique that includes a two-stage least square regression analysis and random-effect regression analysis to test if the increase in green credit ratio can reduce the NPL ratio in a sample of UAE’s banks. The current study can be considered the first empirical attempt that conducted on the banking sector in UAE, to discover the variables that might have a direct impact on the NPL ratio. The results reveal that the ratio of green loans has a negative impact on the NPL ratio, as much as the return of equity, while the quality of credit, inefficiency, and the bank size have a positive impact on NPL ratio. But as was not as expected, we found that the impact of solvency ratio has a negative significant on the NPL ratio. Finally, the current study introduces a new value to the current literature about the impact of green lending policies and provides a new perspective which supports the financial sustainability in UAE.