The Centre for Research into European Financial Markets and Institutions (CREFMI) at Cass

Cass Business School at City University, London has established and is now seeking funding for a new research centre: the Centre for Research on European Financial Markets and Institutions (CREFMI). The objectives of the Centre are (i) to analyse the efficiency, safety and global competitiveness of Europe’s financial services industry and the sustainability of UK’s leading position in many aspects of financial services (ii) to provide a platform for discussion of the strategic and public policy issues affecting the European financial sector.

We have prepared a summary prospectus, giving a fuller account of the motivation for creating CREFMI and the way it will be organised.

The research conducted by CREFMI will be organised under three research themes:

Technology, innovation, and competition. Understanding the industrial organisation of the financial sector and the impact of technology on financial firms and markets. Considering the interaction between industrial structure and innovation in financial services.
Law and regulation Examining the impact on financial markets of the law and regulation of the financial sector, especially the differing legal and regulatory institutions across Europe; assessing the effectiveness of law and regulation applied to the financial sector.
European and global financial integration. Addressing current and prospective developments in the financial services industry, assessing progress towards integration of financial markets and the implications of market innovations such as the trading of credit.

CREFMI will in addition:

Sponsor visits by leading researchers, from Europe, the US, and elsewhere, who can contribute to the activities of the Centre.
Provide support for post-doctoral fellows and PhD students, pursuing research that falls under the themes of the Centre.
Host lectures, seminars, and conferences attracting practitioners, policy makers, and academic researchers.
Use newsletters, our webpages, and other media to disseminate research and policy analysis

The Centre is directed by Dr Alistair Milne, who also leads a research theme on Technology and Competition. The remaining research themes of the Centre are European and Global Integration, led by Professor Alec Chrystal, and Law and Regulation led by Professor Geoffrey Wood. to "The centre has been assisted by an external Advisory Board, whose members are Sir Nigel Wicks, Pen Kent, and Malcolm Levitt".