Venture Capital is an important theme in economic research as a growing intermediate in the financing of new or growing young firms. In Europe, it is the United Kingdom that is the leading country with the highest amount of venture capital activity. However, there is a wide spatial distribution of venture capital across the regions of the United Kingdom where London and the South East alone pulled nearly 60% of venture capital in 2013. This paper focuses on a cross-regional study with the selected regions of the United Kingdom: Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The purpose to investigate the relationship between economic growth, research & development expenditure, and population density with total venture capital investments during the time period 2006 – 2016. The aim is to contribute to existing literature on determinants of venture capital with evidence from the United Kingdom. Using a fixed effect model, we can establish a positive relationship between population density and total venture capital invested. Economic growth and gross expenditure on research & development did not yield any significant result.

This thesis examines the regulation and development of the moneylending and pawnbroking markets in Britain since the 1870s. The six regulatory episodes examined illustrate how the role of state intervention in these markets has been debated, and how it has evolved. The thesis asks: what were the motivations for reform, which market features were regulators most concerned with, and what were their proposed solutions? It demonstrates how majority and minority viewpoints have informed regulation and documents the often-conflicting expectations of how regulation was meant to influence lending decisions, borrower outcomes and poverty. By identifying the primary motivating factors behind regulation, the study answers why and how some policymakers sought to restrict low-income borrowers from gaining access to credit. It finds that policymakers have shifted their focus from market competition and freedom of consumer choice towards financial inclusion and poverty reduction. The result is a better understanding of the regulation and development of two credit products that were, and remain, vital to the working class. This research shows that the motivations for reform have varied over time. In 1872, 1900, 1927, 2006 and after the Great Recession, policymakers sought to restrict ‘illegitimate, evil and predatory’ small loan lenders, who were accused of exacerbating the conditions of the poor. In 1974, policymakers sought enhanced regulation such as information disclosure to increase market competition and decrease the cost of borrowing. In 2014, the FCA believed that the payday loan market still lacked price competition and implemented price controls as a corrective measure. Less varied were the issues of concern and proposed solutions. This research identifies five main areas of regulatory concern: the high cost of loans, advertising, the use of an annual percentage rate (APR), the legitimacy of moneylenders and pawnbrokers in the financial system and regulatory enforcement. It identifies three main policy responses: price controls, information disclosure and licensing. By analysing the motivations, debated issues and proposed solutions, this research examines wider questions concerning freedom of contract, borrower rationality, bargaining inequity, market segmentation and credit rationing. It contributes to the scholarly and policy dialogue on price controls, information disclosure and the development of non-bank lending. This research also provides new perspectives on the Victorian poverty debate and the modern financial inclusion agenda as they relate to the interaction between regulation, high-cost credit and poverty.

1 ABSTRACT Cross-border Anti-competitive Agreements Functional market mechanism, as an essential element of a market economy, is a prerequisite for the economic prosperity of advanced democratic states. A completely crucial element of its functionality is free competition, the protection of which is regulated by competition law. However, competition does not apply consistently across all sectors. In this thesis I focuse on its application within the financial services area. This sector`s nature is very specific because we must always strive to maintain financial stability when implementing any measures. How should legislation respond to these aspects respond and how should the competition policy itself be shaped? Is regulation of this area necessary or does the competition intself represent a thread to the financial stability of the system? In order to fully understand the specifics of this area, it is firstly necessary to become familiar with the economic aspect of competition law and the nature of these white-collar crimes. Consequently, I will focus on the application of the competition law on financial services, taking into account new technologies and their influence on the structure of this market. The impact of competition on the banking sector is one of the core parts of this thesis. Based on an...

A presente dissertação de mestrado serve para refletir acerca das questões concernentes à crise financeira mundial, as modificações legislativas acerca da regulação do crédito ao consumidor e o os novos deveres das instituições financeiras diante de tal cenário. Considerando a necessidade urgente de uma regulação mundial, seja nacional ou em blocos econômicos, acerca do fenômeno do superendividamento, valemo-nos de exemplos de outros países para buscar uma conexão possível, considerando a cultura da sociedade de consumo, leis vigentes e necessidades específicas, entre os deveres dos consumidores e, principalmente, das instituições financeiras. Se o consumidor brasileiro paga atualmente as maiores taxas de juros no mundo, com a justificativa do mercado que tal prática é reflexo de sua inadimplência, deve-se atentar para a razão de tal inadimplência. A inadimplência do consumidor, muitas vezes o levando ao superendividamento, é um reflexo tanto da cultura do imediatismo, fomentada pela publicidade, quanto da ausência de limites e informações adequadas à este consumidor quando da concessão do crédito, o levando a subestimar os riscos da operação. O consumidor não tendo conhecimento necessário para gerir sua vida financeira, ao receber ofertas de crédito com informações deficientes, incompletas, obscuras e até mesmo com ilusões que rodeiam apenas seus benefícios e não seus riscos, é um forte candidato ao superendividamento. Muito embora existam muitas ações, tanto no Brasil quanto no mundo, para tratamento do superendividamento, buscando a ressocialização do consumidor na sociedade, devemos preocupar-nos igualmente com a prevenção deste superendividado, que deve ser realizada com a tomada da responsabilidade [neste sentido como um dever, uma postura a ser adotada pela instituição financeira previamente] no sentido de qualificar seus prepostos a igualmente terem condições de informar, clara e adequadamente, o consumidor dos riscos e benefícios do crédito. Para tanto, analisaremos alguns pressupostos que permeiam nossas hipóteses, passando no primeiro capítulo pelos benefícios e riscos do crédito e, no segundo capítulo, abordando os contratos por adesão, os princípios que norteiam tais pactos, especialmente a boa-fé, chegando ao dever geral de informação, o qual abrigaria o dever de informação formal como esclarecimento, o aconselhamento e advertência, passando igualmente pela necessidade de um prazo de reflexão ao consumidor como condutor de tais deveres. / The present dissertation serves to reflect on the issues that concerned the global financial crisis, the legislative changes regarding the regulation of consumer credit and the new duties of financial institutions faced with this scenario. Considering the urgent need of global regulation, whether national or in economic blocks, around the phenomenon of over-indebtedness, we may use examples from other countries to seek a possible connection, considering the culture of the consumer society, laws and specific needs between the consumers duties and especially, the financial institutions. If the Brazilian consumer currently pays the highest interest rates in the world, with the market justification that such practice is a reflection of its own default, we should look for the reason of such default. The consumer default, often leading him to over-indebtedness, is both a reflection from the culture of immediacy, fostered by advertising, and the absence of limits and suitableinformation for the consumer when granting credit, leading to underestimate the risks of this operation .When consumers do not have the knowledge to manage their financial lives, andreceives credit offers with disabilitiesinformation, incomplete, unclear and even illusions that surround only its benefits and not its risks, became a strong candidate for over- indebtedness. Although there are many actions, both in Brazil and around the world for over-indebtedness treatment, seeking the consumer rehabilitation in the consumer society, we must also concern ourselves about the over-indebtedness prevention, which should be performed with taking responsibility [in this sense as a duty, an attitude to be adopted by the financial institution previously] in order to qualify their agents and also having the conditions to inform clearly and properly, the risks and benefits of consumer credit. To do so, we are going to analyze some assumptions that permeate our chances, passing in the first chapter of the benefits and risks of credit and, in the second chapter, addressing the adhesion contracts, the principles guiding such pacts, especially the good faith, even to the general information duty , which would protect the duty as formal clarification of information, advice and warning, by also passing for theconsumer period for reflection as a driver of such duties.

The aim of this thesis was to examine the financial knowledge of older people as a vulnerable group of the population of the Czech Republic. The respondents were asked about the field of financial institutions and products. Survey was conducted in homes and homes for the elderly in the town of Netolice and in a surrounding of this town

Most property development firms who invest in property will need to raise some extra financial support. Unforeseen or unexpected expenses can arise at any point in time during the development process. Calculated decisions should be taken with regards to the financial circumstances for any property development project. Decisions should be taken not only for the present but for the future as well. It is therefore important to understand the market and the current economic conditions before applying for capital to fund a property development project. There several types of finance available to fund property development, these include long term borrowing, short term borrowing, construction loans property development investment trust, second mortgages. There is risk to all of the aforementioned finance available.

O tema foi escolhido devido a sua importância frente as frequentes notícias divulgadas, pela mídia em geral, de casos relacionados às diversas formas de erros, fraudes e corrupções que estão expostas às instituições financeiras. Assim, de forma a evitar e minimizar os efeitos destes atos, que, em alguns casos, podem atingir a imagem da empresa gerando descredibilidade e, em última instância, até a descontinuidade dos negócios e, com isso, sérios reflexos na sociedade, as autoridades competentes buscam minimizar os diversos riscos envolvidos através de leis e regulamentos. No Brasil, tem se estruturado e implantando metodologias de controles internos de maneira a minimizar os impactos financeiros das perdas decorrentes de riscos operacionais. Nos últimos anos, devido aos inúmeros escândalos, percebe-se uma evolução dessas legislações, o que demonstra uma constante preocupação dos órgãos reguladores. Como consequência disso, existe a necessidade de um acentuado aperfeiçoamento dos sistemas de controles pelos profissionais de auditoria, compliance e controles internos. Este estudo busca demonstrar a importância da função de compliance, como um dos pilares de governança dentro das instituições financeiras. A metodologia utilizada foi de pesquisa bibliográfica. A conclusão é que um sistema de controles adequado ao porte da instituição contribui para fortalecimento da imagem perante os stakeholders minimizando o risco de descontinuidade dos negócios. / The theme was chosen because of its importance by frequent news reports, the media in general, cases related to various forms of error, fraud and corruptions that are exposed financial institutions. Thus, in order to prevent and minimize the effects of these acts, which in some cases can reach the company's image generating discrediting and, ultimately, to the disruption of business and, with it, serious repercussions in society, the authorities seek to minimize the various risks involved through laws and regulations. In Brazil, has been structured methodologies and implementing internal controls to minimize the financial impact of losses from operational risks. In recent years, due to the numerous scandals, realizes an evolution of these laws, which shows a constant concern of regulators. As a result, there is a need for a marked improvement of control systems for professional audit, compliance and internal controls. This study seeks to demonstrate the importance of the compliance function, as one of the pillars of governance within financial institutions. The methodology used was the literature research. The conclusion is that a system of controls appropriate to the size of the institution contributes to strengthening the image with stakeholders while minimizing the risk of business interruption. / MBA (especialização em Finanças) - Ibmec Business School, Rio de Janeiro, 2013. / Bibliografia: p. 45-46.

As organizações financeiras sempre dedicaram seus maiores e melhores esforços no tratamento dos riscos que julgavam mais importantes, como os de crédito e de mercado. Entretanto, pelos exemplos freqüentes de enormes perdas ou por exigência dos organismos reguladores, os riscos operacionais, até então tratados como "outros riscos", vêm recebendo merecida atenção. A presente dissertação tem o objetivo de apresentar uma suficiente conceituação dos diversos aspectos relacionados ao tema, incluindo a definição, a identificação dos fatores internos e externos de perdas operacionais e a identificação dos tipos de risco operacionais a que se expõe uma organização financeira. É apresentada uma árvore de internalização onde são mostrados os passos a serem dados e as estruturas organizacionais a serem revisadas. Esses elementos dão capacidade à organização para implantar, com seus próprios meios, um sistema de gestão de riscos operacionais que permeie toda a empresa. Também são apresentadas as ferramentas e instruções capazes de identificar, controlar e mitigar os seus riscos operacionais. A estrutura de gestão dos riscos operacionais apresentada inclui a construção de um fluxo de informações com ênfase na eliminação das perdas indesejadas e na demonstração das exposições a que está submetida a empresa ao realizar seus negócios, quer por novas operações, mudança na legislação ou por interesse em fusões ou aquisições. Essa estrutura também apóia a governança corporativa nas suas decisões estratégicas e oferece aos acionistas e clientes da organização elementos de escolha e preferências. Observa-se que construir um sistema de gestão dos riscos operacionais é uma tarefa de longo prazo e que envolve toda a empresa, sendo o ritmo ditado pelo nível de interesse da alta administração e dos recursos destinados para esse fim. / Financial institutions have always endeavored to manage what appeared to be their most important risks, such as credit and market risks. Recently, in face of frequent instances of large losses or of requirements from regulatory agencies, operational risks, so far confined to the lesser status of "other "risks", has begun to receive a more appropriated regard. One of the objectives of this dissertation is to define operational risk and highlight conceptual aspects related to this emerging theme, while identifying internal and external factors of operational risk to which a financial organization is exposed. It introduces an internalization tree diagram showing a step-by-step procedure for self-implementation of a company-wide operational risk management framework. In addition, it shows the tools and instructions required for the identification, control and mitigation of operational risks. The proposed framework includes the construction of an information network that can help reduce losses and clarify the risks to which an organization might be exposed in the course of changing operations, laws, regulations, and possible mergers or acquisitions. This framework could support corporate governance and strategic decision-making, while offering stockholders and clients evidences for choice and preference. Building an operational risk management system is a long-term project that involves all the organization. The speed of proper implementation is set by level of interest from top management and the quantity and quality of allocated resources. / Dissertação (mestrado profissionalizante) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração das Faculdades Ibmec, Rio de Janeiro, 2003. / Bibliografia: p. 102-104.

A presente dissertação de mestrado serve para refletir acerca das questões concernentes à crise financeira mundial, as modificações legislativas acerca da regulação do crédito ao consumidor e o os novos deveres das instituições financeiras diante de tal cenário. Considerando a necessidade urgente de uma regulação mundial, seja nacional ou em blocos econômicos, acerca do fenômeno do superendividamento, valemo-nos de exemplos de outros países para buscar uma conexão possível, considerando a cultura da sociedade de consumo, leis vigentes e necessidades específicas, entre os deveres dos consumidores e, principalmente, das instituições financeiras. Se o consumidor brasileiro paga atualmente as maiores taxas de juros no mundo, com a justificativa do mercado que tal prática é reflexo de sua inadimplência, deve-se atentar para a razão de tal inadimplência. A inadimplência do consumidor, muitas vezes o levando ao superendividamento, é um reflexo tanto da cultura do imediatismo, fomentada pela publicidade, quanto da ausência de limites e informações adequadas à este consumidor quando da concessão do crédito, o levando a subestimar os riscos da operação. O consumidor não tendo conhecimento necessário para gerir sua vida financeira, ao receber ofertas de crédito com informações deficientes, incompletas, obscuras e até mesmo com ilusões que rodeiam apenas seus benefícios e não seus riscos, é um forte candidato ao superendividamento. Muito embora existam muitas ações, tanto no Brasil quanto no mundo, para tratamento do superendividamento, buscando a ressocialização do consumidor na sociedade, devemos preocupar-nos igualmente com a prevenção deste superendividado, que deve ser realizada com a tomada da responsabilidade [neste sentido como um dever, uma postura a ser adotada pela instituição financeira previamente] no sentido de qualificar seus prepostos a igualmente terem condições de informar, clara e adequadamente, o consumidor dos riscos e benefícios do crédito. Para tanto, analisaremos alguns pressupostos que permeiam nossas hipóteses, passando no primeiro capítulo pelos benefícios e riscos do crédito e, no segundo capítulo, abordando os contratos por adesão, os princípios que norteiam tais pactos, especialmente a boa-fé, chegando ao dever geral de informação, o qual abrigaria o dever de informação formal como esclarecimento, o aconselhamento e advertência, passando igualmente pela necessidade de um prazo de reflexão ao consumidor como condutor de tais deveres. / The present dissertation serves to reflect on the issues that concerned the global financial crisis, the legislative changes regarding the regulation of consumer credit and the new duties of financial institutions faced with this scenario. Considering the urgent need of global regulation, whether national or in economic blocks, around the phenomenon of over-indebtedness, we may use examples from other countries to seek a possible connection, considering the culture of the consumer society, laws and specific needs between the consumers duties and especially, the financial institutions. If the Brazilian consumer currently pays the highest interest rates in the world, with the market justification that such practice is a reflection of its own default, we should look for the reason of such default. The consumer default, often leading him to over-indebtedness, is both a reflection from the culture of immediacy, fostered by advertising, and the absence of limits and suitableinformation for the consumer when granting credit, leading to underestimate the risks of this operation .When consumers do not have the knowledge to manage their financial lives, andreceives credit offers with disabilitiesinformation, incomplete, unclear and even illusions that surround only its benefits and not its risks, became a strong candidate for over- indebtedness. Although there are many actions, both in Brazil and around the world for over-indebtedness treatment, seeking the consumer rehabilitation in the consumer society, we must also concern ourselves about the over-indebtedness prevention, which should be performed with taking responsibility [in this sense as a duty, an attitude to be adopted by the financial institution previously] in order to qualify their agents and also having the conditions to inform clearly and properly, the risks and benefits of consumer credit. To do so, we are going to analyze some assumptions that permeate our chances, passing in the first chapter of the benefits and risks of credit and, in the second chapter, addressing the adhesion contracts, the principles guiding such pacts, especially the good faith, even to the general information duty , which would protect the duty as formal clarification of information, advice and warning, by also passing for theconsumer period for reflection as a driver of such duties.

O Acordo da Basiléia, originalmente criado em 1988 e posteriormente reformulado em 2004, estabelece critérios para a regulação do setor bancário com o intuito de garantir a estabilidade do sistema financeiro internacional. Para atingir estes objetivos, o seu principal instrumento é a requisição .de que os bancos internacionalmente ativos devem manter níveis mínimos de capital e relação aos seus ativos ajustados pelo risco. O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar as motivações econômicas para esta requisição de capital do setor bancário, assim como analisar suas principais implicações. Iniciamos este trabalho com uma breve descrição histórica do Acordo da Basiléia e do papel da estrutura de capital do setor bancário neste Acordo. Em seguida, apresentamos uma descrição da teoria econômica dos contratos e as principais aplicações desta teoria para o estudo da estrutura de capital de uma firma em geral e do setor bancário em particular. Por fim, mostramos como os resultados obtidos pela teoria econômica justificam a estrutura geral do Acordo da Basiléia, e ressaltamos os principais desafios que serão enfrentados na pratica por seus formuladores. / The Basel Capital Accord, created in 1988 and reformulated in 2004, defines patterns for the banking sector with the aim of achieving the stability of the international financial system. It main instrument is theuse of minimum capital requirements. This work tries to understand the economic underpining of the Basel Capital Accord and its main inplications. We start with a description of the Accord and explain the role of the minimum capital requirements. We then introduce the main elements of the microeconic models of contract theory and use this models to explain the importance of the capital structure of a bank. Finally, we show how the main results of the models base don the insights of contract theory explain most of the features of the Basel Capital Accord and introduce its main limitations.