The preference of microfinance institutions for women borrowers is generally attributed to two reasons: women borrowers are more trustworthy and have greater social impact. However, the role of social trust with regard to this gender preference has not been adequately investigated. Controlling...

There is little research on international equity premia estimates. Using improved and consistent methodologies covering a recent 8-year period, this paper estimates annual equity premia for sixteen emerging markets and finds that they are generally low even compared to risk-free rates. In...

While there is some discussion of national preferences for banking versus financial markets, there is little research on how national financing preferences are determined by legal, cultural, and other national characteristics. Using panel analysis on data for a recent eight-year period for...

While it is clear that some countries are bank oriented and others rely more on equity financing, there is little research on the degree to which the national architecture for financial intermediation is determined by legal, cultural, and other national characteristics. Using panel analysis of...

Estimates of ex-ante equity premia are important in planning investments in pension funds, life insurance pools, and for other long-term financial obligations or goals. However, while global cross-border investment positions and flows have been rising, there is little research on non-US ex-ante...