The mediating role of cost of capital in the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the mediating role of cost of capital in the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality in Uganda's microfinance institutions (MFIs).Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect data and partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsCost of capital partially mediates the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality. Hence, cost of capital acts as a conduit through which capital structure affects loan portfolio quality.Research limitations/implicationsCost of capital was generalized as financial and administrative costs. The impact of costs like dividend pay-outs, interest rates and/or loan covenants on loan portfolio quality could be investigated individually.Practical implicationsMFIs should be vigilant about loan recovery by using strategies like credit rationing to ensure timely repayments.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the ongoing academic debate by identifying the significant indirect role of cost of capital in explaining loan portfolio quality.