This study tests the assertion that membership growth in credit unions is constrained by their unique structural features, such as their non-profit mission and member-based ownership. Although these features enhance inclusiveness, existing theory suggest that they work against efficiency when...

We present a derivative pricing and estimation methodology for a class of stochastic volatility models that exploits the observed 'bursty' or persistent nature of stock price volatility. Empirical analysis of high-frequency S&P 500 index data confirms that volatility reverts slowly to its mean...

This study examines relations between stock returns and potential explanatory factors in Korea, an important and segmented emerging market. Our results show that Korean stock returns in general and returns on stocks listed in Section 1 in particular are significantly positively related to...

This research advances four theoretical approaches in an attempt to relate the banking activities to the real economic activities. It starts with the Schumpeter’s circular flow of creditary production that argues that the banks start the production cycle for offering the credits that enable...

This study utilized an ex post facto design to examine the relationship between student persistence and receipt of financial aid in the non-traditional student population at a Southwestern Connecticut community-technical college. The sample population size was 739 and consisted of matriculated...

The first paper studies the relationship between institutional ownership, board structure and earnings management, and in particular investigates whether board structure and activist institutional ownership as it is characterized in the literature have an impact on earnings management. For this,...

This dissertation examines whether insiders manage quarterly earnings in connection with their SEC Rule 10b5-1 plan stock sales. Prior research provides evidence of competing incentives regarding the timing of insider stock sales. For example, insiders can (1) sell after they have managed...

The access to credit and financial services play a critical role in fostering economic growth and maintaining economic stability. The ability to obtain credit at a fair price and terms has remained one of the most powerful determinants of economic opportunity, income generation, wealth creation...

This dissertation consists of three essays covering corporate governance, agency costs and asset pricing. The recent spate of corporate governance scandals has led to the emergence of several commercial governance rating agencies which rate firms on their strength of governance mechanisms. In...