Albert E. DePrince

The Effects of Education on the Natural Rate of Unemployment

This study develops a natural unemployment rate based upon education attainment. Behind this natural rate are labor force participation rates that vary positively with education attainment; observed unemployment rates that are inversely related to education attainment; and deviations of the observed unemployment rate from this hypothesized natural rate that are related to several expectation-based variables. With a lower natural unemployment rate today compared with years past, results point to a number of education-based challenges that employers will face. Matching employer needs with education will become more complicated as both education and needs become more specialized. Global labor markets will play an increasing role both in terms of skills and cost considerations. Next, the retirement of the baby boom generation will pose a unique challenge. Aside from the challenge of finding replacements from a pool of new workers smaller than the pool of retiring workers, retirements will not be easily predictable, thanks to the elimination of the earnings penalty for social security benefits. Finally, as college degrees become more prevalent, postgraduate studies will likely rise in importance as a distinguishing feature among skills.

A longitudinal study of net interest margin by bank asset size: 1992–2005

With the consolidation in banking over the past 20 years, interest in the comparative performance of big and small banks intensified. This study expands this research and examines the profitability of intermediation (measured by net interest margin or NIM) through a longitudinal model that uses panel data. Banks are assigned to one of five asset classes for each year of the 1992–2005 period, and the classes serve as the panels. Results show that interest rate effects on NIM vary by asset class, but the presence of economic effects and fixed effects on NIM depends on the models specifications.