Wellalage, Nirosha HewaThrikawala, Sujani Sudhara2023-01-182023-01-182021-101544-6123https://hdl.handle.net/10289/15434Using a comprehensive dataset on unlisted firms in 22 developing countries this paper analyses the relationship between gender, microfinance and access to bank credit. Using heckprobit to control sample selection bias, we reveal evidence of discrimination against female-owned and female-led firms. Also, we find that a mechanism for microfinance to empower women is facilitating loan applications and loan approvals for female-owned firms. Our paper highlights the importance of addressing gender discrimination in the credit market in order to facilitate the development of female-owned firms.application/pdfenThis is an author’s accepted version of an article published in the journal: Finance Research Letters. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.Social SciencesBusiness, FinanceBusiness & EconomicsFemale OwnershipBank CreditUnlisted firmsHeckprobitDeveloping countriesFinancial constraintsGender matterDiscriminationAccessJournal Article10.1016/j.frl.2021.1019291544-6131