This paper analyzes German and Spanish fiscal policy using simple policy rules. We choose Germany and Spain, as both are Member States in the European Monetary Union (EMU) and underwent considerable increases in public debt in the early 1990s. We focus on the question, how fiscal policy behaves...

The estimation of an ordered probit model for currency reforms trying to end 31hyperinflations and three big inflations of the 20th century shows that the introduction of anindependent central bank and the adoption of a credibly fixed exchange rate are crucial for the successof a currency...

This paper provides empirical evidence in favor of the hypothesis thatthe secular price increase in the 16th century is mainly caused by money supplydevelopments as the discovery of new mines in Latin America. First we reviewprice developments for several European countries over the 16th century...

According to housing investment models, house prices and replacement costshould have an equilibrating relationship. Previous empirical work|mainlybased on aggregate-level data|has found only little evidence of such a relationship.By using a unique data set, covering transactions of...

The model of compensating differentials in regional labor markets was developed by Roback(1982). The model interprets regional differences in constant quality wages and rents ascompensating firms and residents for inter-regional differences in amenities. The modelassumes that the costs of...

This study looks at real estate price booms and busts in industrialised countries. Itidentifies major and persistent deviations from long term trends for 18 countries andestimates the probabilities of their occurrence using a Random Effects Panel Probitmodel over the period 1980-2007. It finds...

We introduce a framework for analyzing the interplay between credit risk and collateralmarket risk on loan pricing. To do this, we decompose any loan into an unsecured and asecured part. Further we explicitly consider the recovery process. The framework allows usto develop semi-analytical...

Der wachsende Wettbewerbsdruck im Bankensektor führte in den letzten Jahrentrotz eines geringen Zinsniveaus zu sinkenden Zinsmargen im Verbraucherkreditgeschäft. Hervorgerufenwird diese Änderung der Angebotspreise durch die sinkende Bedeutung der Hausbankbeziehungsowie der steigenden Anzahl...

This paper tests whether out-of-sample hedonic value predictions can be improved when a large urban housing market is divided into submarkets.

Economists have forcefully argued for the introduction and use of property derivatives as a hedge against house price risk (e.g. Shiller and Weiss, 1999). The rationale for these financial instruments seems clear, as many households are heavily invested in housing and standard financial...