The study re-examines bond valuation and default risk, by considering and relaxing assumptions regarding integer rating migration, and portfolio rating migration, and consequently the implied degree of diversification. A reduced form model, based on (a) rating migration (matrix), serve as basis...

The introduction of the euro marks a milestone in the process of European financial market integration. This paper analyzes the implications of the euro for cross-border banking activities. A portfolio model is used which captures the role of banks as providers of informational and of...

Financial markets in Euroland differ from those of a national monetary union in two regards. First, capital markets in general and banking markets in particular show a greater degree of segmentation than national financial markets as a result of information costs and regulatory barriers to full...