This paper, instead of focusing on agency cost, analyzes the role of risk-sharing under problems of enforceability (default) to explain the optimal determination of capital structure. Optimal contract structure presents equity and debt.

This work examines the leverage ratios of firms covered by the 1998 SSBF Survey. We find that small firms in general are significantly more levered than their larger counterparts in an industry-matched Compustat sample, but the difference is at least partially explained by differences in...

This Paper studies the incentives for transparency under different forms of corporate governance in a context of product market competition. This Paper endogenizes the governance and financial structure of firms and determines a strategic decision on the degree of transparency in a context of...

We analyze risk sensitive incentive compatible deposit insurance in the presence of private information when the market value of deposit insurance can be determined using Merton's (1977, 3-11) formula.

This paper provides a survey on optimal insurance when insurers and policy holdes have symmetric information about the distribution of potential damages. When transaction costs are proportional to transfers, we show that 1)there is at least one state of the world where no indemnity is paid, 2)...

This article examines, under the Dual Theory of Choice (Yaari (1987)), the classical results and their extensions on self-insurance, self-protection and market insurance obtained by Ehrlich and Becker (1972) under the expected utility hypothesis. In particular, background risk, non-reliability,...

We introduce nonlinear panel data models for individual risl management and control. Our approach extends traditional models by allowing for nonlinearities in input variables and unobserved individual heterogeneity with possible temporal dependence. This permits us to develop nonlineat models...

In the wake of the S&L debacle, the LDC crisis and other systemic banking shocks, several recent proposals have called for regulatory reforms that emphasize the development of market incentives for both bankers and regulators. This article suggests that market-based reform may be feasible and...

The objective of this paper is to present the role and importance of internal control systems in good risk management practice, with a particular emphasis on the internal audit and compliance functions within such a framwork. Our focus is on the Life and Health Insurance industry in Canada.

There are numerous links, both direct and indirect, betwwen real estate markets and insurance products. One of the diract links that has been the focus of much attention recently in the US is homeowners insurance, especially in hazard prone areas. Another direct link not receiving as much...