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Abstract
This paper analyzes an appropriate methodology for studying discriminatory credit rationing in rural credit programs with fixed interest rates. The paper demonstrates that in order to analyze credit discrimination one should have a well-defined loan demand and supply model. The criteria by which loan applications are accepted or rejected should be explicitly incorporated into the analysis. The paper also de_monstrates that the estimation of the model should consider not only data on loans granted but also on loans rejected. Finally, the empirical analysis implemented in this study shows that this loan demand and supply model is quite adequate for analyzing the discriminatory polkie'> followed for a rural credit program in Portugal after the 1974 Revolution.