New Economics Papers
on Financial Markets
Issue of 2008‒07‒05
two papers chosen by



  1. Time-Varying Incentives in the Mutual Fund Industry By Olivier, Jacques; Tay, Anthony
  2. Governing the Governors: A Clinical Study of Central Banks By Frisell, Lars; Roszbach, Kasper F.; Spagnolo, Giancarlo

  1. By: Olivier, Jacques; Tay, Anthony
    Abstract: This paper re-examines the incentives of mutual fund managers arising from investor flows. We provide evidence that the convexity of the flow-performance relationship varies with economic activity. We show that the effect is economically large and is not driven by abnormal years. We test two possible channels through which this pattern may arise. We investigate implications of the time-varying convexity for the incentives of managers to alter strategically the risk of their portfolios. We provide evidence that poor mid-year performers increase the risk of the portfolio only when economic activity is strong. Finally, we briefly discuss some methodological implications.
    Keywords: Business Cycle; Convexity; Flow-performance Relationship; Incentives; Mutual Funds
    JEL: G11 G23
    Date: 2008–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6893&r=fmk
  2. By: Frisell, Lars; Roszbach, Kasper F.; Spagnolo, Giancarlo
    Abstract: Recent research on central bank governance has focused mainly on their monetary policy task. As the sub-prime loan market turmoil reminded us - central banks play a crucial role in financial markets not only in setting monetary policy, but also in ensuring their soundness and stability. In this paper we study the specific corporate governance structures of a number of central banks in light of their complex role of inflation guardians, bankers’ banks, financial industry regulators/supervisors and, in some cases, competition authorities and deposit insurance agencies. We review their current institutional arrangements, e.g. formal objectives, ownership, board and governor appointment rules, term limits and compensation, using both existing surveys and newly collected information; and we contrast them with the structures suggested in the corporate and public governance literatures, where present. Our analysis highlights a striking variety in central bank governance structures and a number of specific issues that appear unsatisfactorily addressed by existing research, including the incentive structure for governor and board members, the balance between central banks’ multiple objectives, and the need for term limits or post-employment restrictions.
    Keywords: accountability; bank regulation; board structure; central bank independence; central banks; cooling-off periods; governance; governor remuneration; regulatory capture; term limits
    JEL: E58 G18 G34 G38
    Date: 2008–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6888&r=fmk

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