Daniel Broby

The regulatory evolution of the post credit crisis fund management industry

The credit crisis that developed as a result of the problems in the US sub-prime mortgage market has consequences for the future shape of regulation of the fund management industry. The author examines the exposed agency problems, poor risk management, and the lack of liquidity in many fund offerings that have led to a number of new onerous regulations (as distinct from ‘acquired regulations’). The new regulations are changing the industry microstructure. Post credit crisis valuations are 73% of the pre credit crisis five-year levels, implying the markets are evaluating the industry differently in view of the many new challenges that it now faces.

Equity index construction

In this article, the author detail the historic background behind the science of constructing a country or global index. He argues that the industry has largely developed from practitioners rather than academia. He shows how a country index is related to the market portfolio of the capital market pricing model and details the trade-offs that modern index constructors have to make.

The case for a roadmap towards financial regulatory convergence

Purpose - – The trend towards substituted compliance has accelerated post the 2008 credit crisis and is now being pursued with an enthusiasm that is sidelining the prior trend towards multilateral rule convergence. This paper addressed the question of what to do about other regulatory regimes, such as those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The author argues that thought leaders, particularly the G20 and IOSCO, should ask whether financial supervisory convergence should be extended beyond its current UK-EU-US axis. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – Open policy review and discussion. Findings - – In conclusion, the current system of financial supervisory convergence has evolved by default. A process of substituted compliance has become the Research limitations/implications - – Policy debate. Practical implications - – Regulatory reform. Social implications - – Market efficiency. Originality/value - – Thought piece that will provoke debate.

On the educational curriculum in finance and technology

Recent technological developments have enabled a wide array of new applications in financial markets, e.g. big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, and robo-advising, inter alia. While traditionally comprising of computer programs and other technology used to support or enable banking and financial services, the new fintech sector is often seen as enabling transformation of the financial industry. A more moderate and critical view suggests that for the full transformative potential of fintech to be enabled, there is a need for an updated educational curriculum that balances knowledge and understanding of finance and technology. A curriculum that provides a skill portfolio in the two core components and complements them with applied knowledge can support the enabling forces which will render fintech as a true opportunity for the financial service industry and for society as a whole. We attempt a scholarship inquiry into the educational curriculum in finance and technology, aiming to inform this modern educational agenda. We review skills shortages, as identified by firms and experts, and examine the state-of-the art by some of the first educational programs in fintech.

The impact of academic research in finance (impact ratio)

Academic institutions are under increasing pressure to show that their research output has impact. As this concept is easier to quantify in science-based disciplines, this chapter reviews how one interprets what “impact” is in finance. It suggests how best to incorporate it into academic research through the use of a simple to understand impact ratio. It provides an overview of the leading academic publications and their role in this process. It asks how impact within finance is understood, appreciated and subject to critique. It concludes that academics should demonstrate how they can facilitate the development of capital markets through evidence-based policy and enhancing capital market efficiency.

Choosing an Appropriate African Equity Index

As African equity investing becomes more mainstream, investors are likely to gravitate toward an equity index family for benchmarking purposes. This article describes the challenges associated with adopting an African-based index. African equity markets are diverse and incorporate very different market capitalizations, sectors, and countries. In addition, the lack of liquidity in the various stock markets presents a large challenge. The authors conclude that as a result of the diverse methodologies, no single index truly captures the universe that investors are seeking.