Call for Papers

Eleventh Conference of the ECB-CFS Research Network on "The Market for Retail Financial Services: Development, Integration, and Economic Effects"

Date: 20 - 21 October 2008
Venue: Czech National Bank, Prague

The European Central Bank (ECB), the Center for Financial Studies (CFS), and the Czech National Bank are inviting submission of papers to the 11^th conference of the ECB-CFS Research Network on “Capital Markets and Financial Integration in Europe” (see: http://www.eu-financial-system.org).
The objectives of the conference are:

1. to present state-of-the-art international research on major issues regarding development in the market for retail financial services, its integration across the euro area/European Union, and its role in financial and economic efficiency;
2. to provide a forum for debate among market participants, policy makers and researchers. Relevant empirical, policy-oriented and theoretical research will be considered.

Keynote speakers

Zdeněk Tůma (Governor Czech National Bank), Andreas Treichl (CEO Erste Bank), Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell (Executive Board Member European Central Bank), Professor Roman Inderst (University of Frankfurt).
A policy panel on issues regarding the further integration of banking supervision chaired by Lucas Papademos (Vice President European Central Bank, TBC) is also planned.

Topics

The submission of research papers in the following fields is especially encouraged:

1. The Evolution of Retail Finance
• Trends in retail banking, retail payments (incl. SEPA), mutual fund, insurance, venture capital and start-up financing business in Europe
• The mortgage market: Development and stability
• Retail finance in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe
2. Financial Retail Services Integration and Regulation
• The role of laws, regulations and their coordination in retail finance in a European context
• Language barriers, culture, diversion in consumer protection rules and taxation as obstacles to retail market integration
• Cross-border activities in different retail financial services and local information
3. The Real Effects of Retail Financial Services
• Retail finance, consumer credit, and growth
• Venture capital, innovation, and industry dynamics, including SME financing
• National and community effects of retail banking: unemployment, inequality, and economic development

Submission of papers on other topics falling within the scope of the network, as described in the December 2004 report (see: http://www.eu-financial-system.org/report2004en.pdf), is also welcome. Selected papers will have a discussant and will be placed on the network website.

Expenses

Travel (economy class round-trip) and accommodation expenses will be covered for academic speakers.

Submission information

Research papers should be sent electronically (MS Word or pdf versions only) to Sabine Wiedemann at the ECB (see: sabine.wiedemann@ecb.int) by Friday, 20 June 2008. The authors of selected papers will be informed by early July.

Preceding conference

The 2^nd Symposium of the Network is hosted by the ECB in Frankfurt on 13 and 14 February 2008 addressing all priority areas.

Subsequent conferences

The next event will be announced on the network website (see: http://www.eu-financial-system.org)

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