Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight important factors that influence funding decisions from the perspective of commercial lenders, and suggest commercialization of microfinance as a source of alternative development finance. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of industry...

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to express a point of view concerning recent recommendations to reduce or eliminate the authority of state securities regulators. Design/methodology/approach – The paper cites three recent reports by the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, McKinsey &...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarize and provide commentary on the US Department of Treasury's Blueprint for a Modernized Financial Regulatory Structure, issued on March 31, 2008. Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarizes and comments on the short‐, intermediate‐,...

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to describe the temporary and permanent exemptions issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the large trader identification requirements under Rule 13h‐1. Design/methodology/approach – Specifically, the paper provides: an explanation...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary explanation of “crowdfunding,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, subject to more specific rules that will be issued by the SEC later in 2012. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an...

Purpose To remind sponsors to adopt an attitude of “professional skepticism” in Hong Kong IPOs. Design/methodology/approach Explains the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)'s sanction on BOCOM International (Asia) Limited (“BIAL”) as a sign of determination to hold sponsors to...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an algorithm to harvest user specified information on finance portals and compile it into machine‐readable datasets for quantitative analysis. Design/methodology/approach – The Visual Basic macro language in Microsoft Excel is applied to...

Purpose – This paper illustrates that natural disasters can significantly threaten financial institutions serving the poor. The authors test the case of a microfinance institution (MFI) in Northern Peru, where severe El Niño events create catastrophic flooding. Design/methodology/approach –...

The pressures to include specific environmental considerations within corporate strategy are increasing. While clear evidence exists of “green” issues entering the financial agenda, the full consequences have yet to filter through into an impact on strategy. Examines both the legislative...

Purpose – Discusses the most significant criminal prosecutions and regulatory actions in response to recent anti‐money laundering compliance lapses and the resulting concern in the financial community. Design/methodology/approach – Reviews earlier criminal enforcement actions; the recent...