Um die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung zu entlasten, wurde mit dem Altersvermögensgesetz (AVmG) zum 01.01.2002 in Deutschland die staatlich geförderte kapitalgedeckte private und betriebliche Altersvorsorge erheblich in ihrem Umfang erweitert. Im Rahmen der privaten Altersvorsorge stellen...

We compare the characteristics of conglomerates and private equity entities. This is done by examining the differences among their business models. We analyze the relations of the two entity types to their investors on the one hand and to their investments on the other hand. The distinguishing...

Private equity funds and hedge funds are both alternative asset classes that are continuouslygrowing in importance. Although they have different focuses, they share some characteristics.First of all, both have or allegedly have a significant impact on the economy as well as thefinancial system...

Using 13F position valuations, we show that hedge fund advisors intentionallymismark their stock positions. We document manipulation even after eliminatingissues inherent in the pricing of illiquid securities. The documented mismarking isrelated to hedge fund incentives. Mismarking is more...

Newly introduced Government-subsidized pension products in Germany are requiredto contain a promise by the seller to provide a “money-back guarantee” atthe end of the term. The client is also given the right to stop paying premiums atany time (paid-up option). In this case, the amount of all...

Motivated by a recent demographic study establishing a link betweenmacroeconomic fluctuations and the mortality index kt in the Lee-Cartermodel, we assess the impact of macroeconomic fluctuations on the solvencyof a life insurance company. Liabilities in our stochastic simulationframework are...

The Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) is publishing this comprehensive glossary of payment system terminology as a reference document for the standard terms used in connection with payment and settlement systems. The terms have been published in the reports of the CPSS, the...

What are liquidity crises? And what can be done to address them? This short paper brings together some personal reflections on this issue, largely based on previous work. In the process, it questions a number of commonly held beliefs that have become part of the conventional wisdom. The paper is...

Evidence on the interdependency between monetary policy and the state of thebanking system is scarce. We suggest an integrated micro-macro approach with twocore virtues. First, we measure the probability of bank distress directly at the banklevel. Second, we integrate a microeconomic hazard...