We analyze in the laboratory whether an uninformed trader is able to manipulate the price of a financial asset. To do so, we compare the results of two different experimental treatments. In the Benchmark Treatment, twelve subjects trade a common value asset that takes either a high or a low...

In this paper we argue that in realistically calibrated two period general equilibrium models with incomplete markets CAPM-pricing provides a good benchmark for equilibrium prices even when agents are not mean-variance optimizers and returns are not normally distributed. We numerically...

When investigating the role of regulatory capital in bank mergers and acquisitions (M&As) we finds that i.e. US targets are better capitalized than their acquirers and non-acquired peers and that US banks maintain higher capital than European banks. Thus, US banks strategically raise their...

This paper proposes to investigate the threshold effects of the productivity of infrastructure investment in developing countries within a panel data framework. Various speci.cations of an augmented production function that allow for endogenous thresholds are considered. The overwhelming outcome...

In this paper we assess cost and profit efficiency for a sample of banks operating on the Dutch banking market in the period 1992-1998, using stochastic frontier efficiency analysis. Over the entire period, the cost-efficient frontier deteriorates but mean cost efficiency and profit efficiency...

This paper proposes a new approach based on time-varying copulas to test for the presence of increases in stock market interdependence after financial crises, also known as shift-contagion process. We show that the previous approaches that take into account changes in volatility regimes are...

As banking markets in developing countries are maturing, banks face competition not only from other domestic banks but also from sophisticated foreign banks. Combined with a dramatic growth of consumer credit and increased regulatory attention to risk management, the development of a...

This study investigates the role of project finance as a driver of economic growth. We hypothesize that project finance is beneficial to the least developed economies as it compensates for any lack of domestic financial development. The contractual structure unique to project finance should lead...

Firms interested in a direct investment in a transition countries often face difficulties in obtaining external finance. In this study Dutch survey data are used to check if financial obstacles are an important argument for Dutch firms not to engage in an FDI or if other nonfinancial arguments...

In drawing on modern finance theory, this note demonstrates the importance of financial instruments for large public sector projects. An explicit link to the theory of Henry George is made, and a public sector financing approach is being demonstrated by using the example of the Oder floodings in...