FinTech lending and regional economic resilience: the role of SME growth

This paper employs panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China spanning 2011 to 2023 to investigate the regional economic effects of fintech lending, with a specific focus on the role played by the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a fixed effects model, the study finds that fintech lending exerts a significant positive impact on regional economic resilience (RER), and this effect is particularly strong in eastern regions and areas characterized by high levels of openness. Further mechanism analysis reveals that the growth of SMEs serves as a crucial channel through which fintech lending influences regional economic resilience. Additionally, regional innovative capacity is found to moderate the relationship between fintech lending and RER. These findings highlight the importance of fostering fintech lending and supporting SME growth as strategic tools for enhancing regional economic resilience and stability.