The paper focuses on the impact of diversification on bank performance and how consolidation through mergers and acquisitions (M and A) affects the banking sector's stability in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The paper finds that a lower level of loan portfolio diversification...

The thesis consists of three empirical essays on trade, specialization and development. The first chapter studies the impact of greater economic integration (namely monetary unions) on trade, specialization and location of firms. Cost reductions due to greater economic integration may have...

Through joining the European Economic and Monetary Union a heterogeneous influence of member states cannot be avoided but all countries follow the logic of the economic benefits of unification. Besides reducing transaction costs, greater transparency in prices and the elimination of the...