I examine two potential instances of rent-seeking in financial markets in the 1980s. In the first essay I test whether managers engage in political activity designed to influence federal regulation of the market for corporate control. In the second, I examine whether firms in the financial services sector attempt to affect bank deregulation. Using Federal Election Commission data, I find campaign contributions by corporate political action committees (PACs) are negatively related to levels of inside ownership, my main proxy for managerial vulnerability to hostile tender offers. Contribution patterns for firms with less than 20% insider ownership are relatively highly correlated, and differ from those of firms with greater than 20% inside ownership. Low inside ownership firms have slightly higher levels of contributions to legislators on particular House and Senate committees proposing relevant legislation. However, when I analyze the impact of contributions on legislator support for regulation I find no statistical support for a theory of vote-buying. I conclude that corporate political behavior is tied to levels of inside ownership, and comprises an alternate index of manager-shareholder conflict. Using a similar approach to analyse the financial services industry, I also find significant patterns in political action committee (PAC) campaign contributions for depository (commercial bank and thrift) and non-depository (brokerage and insurance) sectors of the financial services industry during the 98th Congress (1983-84). Contributions by depository firm PACs appear not only to purchase access to legislators serving on important banking committees crucial to their interests, but are also a significant determinant of votes for repealing sections of the Glass-Steagall Act. Nondepository contributions do not appear to influence votes directly, even though the brokerage and insurance sectors effectively lobbied House Banking Committee chairman Fernand St Germain to enforce the regulatory status quo. When I measure the rents at stake in the legislation using a two-factor market model event study approach, I find that the passage of legislation in the Senate had a positive affect on depository firm returns, implying the sector's lobbying effort was justified. However non-depository PACs lobbied just as extensively, and did not experience significant abnormal returns over the same event period, even though this round of deregulation should have been a zero-sum game between the affected sectors of the industry. I then measure the correlation between the market value impacts of new legislation and contribution amounts for individual firms within the sectors. I find rents are correlated with political activity, even for firms in the non-depository sectors. / Ph. D.

Submitted by Elba Lopes (elba.lopes@fecap.br) on 2017-04-04T00:34:55Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Mauro_Camilo_dos_Santos.pdf: 1108982 bytes, checksum: 19fa1d8e28c232198e2db3653e865495 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-04T00:34:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Mauro_Camilo_dos_Santos.pdf: 1108982 bytes, checksum: 19fa1d8e28c232198e2db3653e865495 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-23 / With the enactment of Resolution no 3786/2009, the Central Bank of Brazil, financial institutions began to prepare and publish since December 31, 2010 in addition to the existing standards, the consolidated financial statements according to International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS. Such procedures have caused a major change in the technical and legal framework due to existing conceptual differences between local standards - BRGAAP and international standards - IFRS. This work aims to verify whether the accounting convergence is altering the degree of conservatism in constitutions of allowance for doubtful accounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements published by financial institutions in Brazil, and whether the characteristics of the financial institutions such as size, profitability, control capital, market segment, listed on stock exchanges and public or private sector could influence the constitution of the provisions. For that were examined in the two accounting standards, the financial statements of forty-three financial conglomerates in the period 2009-2013, which represented 93% of the assets of Sistema Financeiro Nacional (National Financial System) at December 31, 2013. The results revealed differences statistically significant of provisions between the two accounting standards, showing that local standards are more conservative relative to international standards. Showed, too, that although starting from the same operations the institutions obtained different results due to the use of different standards for recognition, measurement and disclosure. On examination of the independent variables was found that there are specific groups of banks with larger discrepancies between the balances of provisions in the two financial statements indicating that the characteristics of financial institutions could influence the constitution of the provisions. / Com a edi????o da Resolu????o no 3786/2009, do Banco Central do Brasil, as Institui????es Finan-ceiras passaram a elaborar e divulgar desde 31 dez 2010 adicionalmente ??s normas vigentes, as Demonstra????es Cont??beis Consolidadas com base nas Normas Internacionais de Relat??rios Financeiros (International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS). Tais procedimentos t??m provocado uma grande mudan??a no arcabou??o t??cnico e legal em decorr??ncia de diverg??ncias conceituais existentes entre as normas locais - BRGAAP e as normas internacionais - IFRS. Este trabalho tem por objetivo verificar se a converg??ncia cont??bil est?? alterando o grau de conservadorismo na constitui????o da provis??o para cr??ditos de liquida????o duvidosa nas De-monstra????es Cont??beis Consolidadas publicadas pelas institui????es financeiras, no Brasil, e se as caracter??sticas das institui????es financeiras como porte, rentabilidade, controle de capital, segmento de mercado de atua????o, listadas em bolsas de valores e setor p??blico ou privado poderiam influenciar na constitui????o das PCLD. Para tanto foram examinados, nos dois pa-dr??es de contabilidade, as demonstra????es financeiras de quarenta e tr??s conglomerados finan-ceiros no per??odo de 2009 a 2013, que representavam 93% dos ativos do Sistema Financeiro Nacional, em 31 de dezembro de 2013. Os resultados revelaram diferen??as estatisticamente significantes entre os valores das provis??es dos dois padr??es de contabilidade, evidenciando que as normas locais s??o mais conservadoras em rela????o ??s normas internacionais. Mostraram, tamb??m, que embora partindo das mesmas opera????es as institui????es obtiveram valores diferentes em suas carteiras de cr??dito e nos montantes de PCLD em decorr??ncia da utiliza????o de padr??es diferentes de reconhecimento, mensura????o e divulga????o. No exame das vari??veis independentes constatou-se que existem grupos espec??ficos de bancos com maiores discre-p??ncias entre os saldos de PCLD nas duas demonstra????es indicando que as caracter??sticas das institui????es financeiras poderiam influenciar na constitui????o da PCLD.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Genève. / Includes bibliographical references (p. xxxiii-lxxviii).

The overall objective of this study was to determine the factorial invariance of a South African-developed Employee Engagement Instrument (EEI) across different race groups in financial institutions. A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether race groups differ significantly with regard to the six dimensions of the employee engagement instrument. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive research design was followed in this study, using a non-probability, convenience sampling (N = 1175). The EEI was electronically administered to 285 000 businesspeople from various demographic backgrounds, which form part of a research database. The focus was respondents from financial institutions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was employed to achieve the empirical objectives of this study. Findings from the statistical analysis indicated that White and Black employees differed significantly with regards to how they are engaged by their immediate managers; however, the practical significance was small. Furthermore, the employee engagement instrument was found to be reliable and valid and the instrument was invariant across the four different race groups. By understanding how employees from different backgrounds are engaged it enables organisations to customise their engagement programmes to meet the needs of the various types of employees within the organisation, instead of applying a “one size fits all” approach to engagement programmes. The findings of this study provided valuable insights into the importance of employee engagement in a South African context, especially for financial institutions. Finally, the study adds to the vast body of knowledge that exists with regard to employee engagement and race, both locally and internationally. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the factors that hinder the growth of the microfinance industry in Namibia. The actual issues of the sector are not known as not much research has been undertaken on it. However, it is possible to establish the constraints that limit the growth of the microfinance environment in the country. The study presents the identified limitations with associated solutions as experienced in different countries and reported by various authors and academics. The desired situation would be for the microfinance sector to operate effectively by serving the poor and unemployed but economically active people. Although this is not the all encompassing solution to the plight of the rural and urban poor, it is, however, the beginning at the attempt to move out of poverty. The questions that the respondents answered were designed specifically to clarify which sector of the low income section of society that was accessing the loans available on the market. This fact will enable policymakers to focus on resolving the hindrance that will produce the most results than taking haphazard actions that bring minimal results. The results could also be useful to microfinance providers in that they can use the information to identify business opportunities for the diversification of the products they offer. Finally, the constraints hindering the growth of microfinance such as the restrictive regulatory environment for one are not unique to Namibia. Hence, the experience and solutions from other countries are available for study. However, the local industry would have to initiate their own solutions to match and meet local conditions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die faktore wat die groei van mikrofinansies in Namibie belemmer. Die werklike probleme is nie bekend nie omdat baie min navorsing nog in hierdie verband gedoen is. Dit is egter wel moontlik om die beperkinge tot groei van die mikrofinansies industrie in Namibie te bepaal. Die studie bied 'n oorsig van bekende beperkinge en moontlike oplossings soos ervaar in verskillende lande en soos gerapporteer deur verskeie outeurs en akademici. Die ideale situasie sal wees dat die mikrofinansies sektor effektief funksioneer deur die armes en werkloses, maar ekonomies aktiewe, gemeenskap te dien. Hoewel dit nie 'n alomvattende oplossing bied vir die behoeftes van plattelandse en stedelike armes nie, is dit egter 'n poging om hierdie mense uit armoede te lig. Die vrae wat respondente moes antwoord het spesifiek gepoog am te bepaal watter sektor van die samelewing die lenings wat beskikbaar is in die mark gebruik. Hierdie kennis sal wetgewers in staat stel om te fokus op probleme wat die grootste struikelblokke is, eerder as om lukraak probleme aan te spreek met minimale resultate. Die bevindinge mag ook van belang wees vir mikrofinansies voorsieners wat die inligting kan gebruik om besigheidsgeleenthede te identifiseer om sodoende hulle produk-reeks te diversifiseer. Laastens, die beperkinge in die mikrofinansies sektor soos die beperkende regulatoriese omgewing is nie uniek tot Namibie nie. Dus, die oplossings vanuit ander lande kan toegepas word in Namibie. Die Namibiese industrie sal egter hulle eie oplossings moet vind om die plaaslike omstandighede die hoof te bied.

Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / The level of poverty in Namibia is relatively high. Access to finance is cited as one of factors hampering economic growth and poverty alleviation. Microfinance is seen as one of the effective tools that can address poverty alleviation by engaging the poor in sustainable economic activities. Microfinance services have existed in Namibia since the late 1990s, yet they have not attained growth. The main providers of microfinance services consist mainly of Micro-lenders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS), Public Financial Institutions (PFI) and to a less extent Commercial Banks (CB). This research report aimed to study and identify the problems that impact on the growth of microfinance finance institutions (MFIs) in Namibia. The findings of this study revealed that lack of regulatory and policy framework, lack of capital and high operational costs were the main problem areas hampering the growth of MFIs in Namibia. The study made recommendations which are aimed at enhancing the growth of microfinance institutions.

Microfinance and microcredit are relatively new concepts in South Africa, yet the industry has experienced significant consolidation and growth. The industry appears to be progressing towards a sustainable growth phase. The aim of this paper is to study the problems experienced by the microfinance industry in South Africa, with regard to supply-side credit. Respondents ranked 26 challenges affecting the growth of MFIs in South Africa in order to establish the degree in which these issues affected their organisations. The top six issues impacting on the growth of the South African MFIs are: - High operational cost - Increased competition from commercial banks - Increased competition from MFIs - Legislation and regulatory framework - Fraud, There are solutions to most of these challenges. The industry can learn from a recommendation by Africa Diagnostic, which are: “The client must come first; groom leaders; and highlight transparency. All these recommendations are discussed at length.

This thesis demonstrates that consumer leverage can contribute to financial crises such as the subprime mortgage crisis characterised by increased bankruptcy prospects and tightened credit access. A recession may follow even when the leveraged sector is not a production sector and can be triggered by seeming positive events such as a technological innovation and a relaxation of borrowing conditions. The first preliminary chapter updates the Bernanke, Gertler and Gilchrist (1999) approach with financial frictions in the production sector to a two-sector model with consumption and housing. It shows that credit frictions in the capital financing decisions of housing firms are not sufficient to capture the negative consumer experience with falling housing prices and relaxed credit access during the recession. The second chapter brings the model closer to the subprime mortgage crisis by shifting credit constraints to the consumer mortgage market. Increased supply of houses lowers asset prices and reduces the value of the real estate collateral used in the mortgage which in turn worsens the leverage of indebted consumers. A relaxation of borrowing conditions turns credit-constrained households into a potential source of disturbances themselves when market optimism allows them to raise their leverage with little downpayment. Both cases demonstrate that although households are not production agents, their worsening debt levels can trigger a lasting financial downturn. The third chapter develops a chained mortgage contracts model where both homeowner consumers and the financial institutions that securitize their mortgage loan are credit-constrained. Adding credit constraints to the financial sector that provides housing mortgages creates opportunities for risk sharing where banks shift some of the downturn onto indebted consumers in order to hasten their own recovery. This consequence is especially evident in the case of relaxed credit access for banks. Financial institutions repair their debt position relatively fast at the expense of consumers whose borrowing ability is squeezed for a long period despite the fact that they may not be the source of the disturbance. The result mirrors the recent subprime mortgage crisis characterised by a sharp but brief decline for banks and a protracted recovery for mortgaged households.

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2016 / The study is an assessment of the current treatment of business risk, as a significant risk type for financial institutions. It includes an industry analysis of the five major banks in South Africa, as well as international banks, and how these banks currently manage business risk in the Pillar 2 supervisory process. It assesses economic capital frameworks and the importance of business risk in the risk assessment and measurement process in the global and local industry. Various methodologies have been researched to assess which statistical methods are best suited in the measurement of this risk type as well as the quantification of the capital levels required. This study has compared the available statistical methodologies currently used in the industry and concludes which is best given the issues pertaining to the modelling of business risk quantification. A statistical model has been developed to quantify business risk for a specific bank using bank specific data, using a methodology which is relatively generic and could be applied widely across all financial institutions. The model serves to illustrate the principles surrounding the quantification of business risk economic capital. / GR2018

Thesis (M.M.(Finance & Investment)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2017 / This study investigated whether the financial sector (private and public) is accessible to the SME’s and entry level entrepreneurs dominated by Black and poor people. The study employed a comparative analysis method; it compared the structure of the South African financial sector to those of India and Brazil, as newly industrialised countries. The finding indicates that the South African financial sector lacked the presence of state-owned financial institutions as in the comparable NCI countries to support SMEs and entry level Black entrepreneurs. The study then recommended the creation of state-owned microfinance institutions, whose performance will determine the need of state-owned banks / GR2018