Goss and Roberts (2011)

Goss, Allen, and Gordon Roberts. “The impact of corporate social responsibility on the cost of bank loans.”  Journal of Banking and Finance. July, 2011.

Authors' abstract:  "This study examines the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and bank debt. Our focus on banks exploits their specialized role as delegated monitors of the firm. Using a sample of 3996 loans to US firms, we find that firms with social responsibility concerns pay between 7 and 18 basis points more than firms that are more responsible. Lenders are more sensitive to CSR concerns in the absence of security. We document a mixed reaction to discretionary CSR investments. Low-quality borrowers that engage in discretionary CSR spending face higher loan spreads and shorter maturities, but lenders are indifferent to CSR investments by high-quality borrowers."

Link:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378426610004498