Institute of European Finance, Bangor Business School

The Institute of European Finance conducts topical and innovative academic research in banking, finance, accounting, and data analytics. Drawing on the wide experience of our core and associate members, the Centre offers expert analysis of current issues and challenges facing the banking and financial sectors. The Centre works with multilateral organisations, national governments, regulatory authorities, and public and private financial institutions to promote evidence-based policy decisions, competitiveness within the industry, economic growth, and to achieving more inclusive economies and societies.

Our Mission Statement

The Research Centre leverages Bangor Business School global reputation in banking and finance research to focus on addressing national and international environmental, social and economic issues. Since its foundation in 1973, the Institute of European Finance has a mission of leading cutting-edge research that has a real impact on the banking and finance industries, and to disseminate its outputs through publications, conferences, and events..

About Us

The Centre has a proven track record of successfully delivering major projects and research consultancies, supervising postgraduate to a high standard, and engaging with industry participants at all levels. Drawing on the expertise of a broad range of academics and researchers, the Institute of European Finance provides:

Access to leading experts for commissioned research
Industry standard and prominent databases for research purposes
Postgraduate opportunities
Published research materials and seminars
An unrivalled collection of specialist market research material

OUR RESEARCH PLANNING GROUPS Accounting and Governance

Members of the Accounting & Governance research planning group explore the different means and aspects of accounting (including corporate communication) and governance, in relation to a broad range of organisations and stakeholders, and using a wide range of theoretical frameworks and methodologies. The aim is to explore how organisations interact with interested audiences, via text (e.g. annual report documents, CSR report, press releases, proxy statements), financial statements, and engagement (e.g., proxy voting), and how communications, governance mechanisms, and institutions influence internal and external audiences’ perceptions and decisions, and organisational outcomes.

Emeritus staff

Professor Doris Merkl-Davies

PhD students:

OUR RESEARCH PLANNING GROUPS Credit Risk

This research planning group focuses on empirical research on credit risk. This group incorporates staff across the accounting, banking, economics and finance specialisms. The group intends to build on existing research in the School and to encourage new synergies and interdisciplinary research. Three members of the group have an established reputation in credit ratings research at Bangor over a period of more than ten years, along with an established and active PhD group. Our group members include:

External members:

Dr Noemi Mantovan - Liverpool University, UK
Dr Huong Vu - University of Aberdeen, UK
Dr Vu Tran – University of Reading, UK
Dr Thy Nguyen - University of Management and Technology Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PhD Students:

To view a list of PhD projects we have an interest in supervising please visit our PhD course page.

OUR RESEARCH PLANNING GROUPS Data Analytics and Financial Innovation

The Financial Innovation & Data Analytics research group we seek to harness the power of data analytics to uncover novel insights that enhance business practices and financial markets. Our research aims to enhance decision making in business and public sector through data-driven findings. Specific key areas of focus include understanding investor trading behaviour and enhancing the detection and prevention of fraud and related misconduct particularly when related to innovations in finance.

Our group members include:

External Members:

Kota Kobayashi
‪Nikki Cornwell‬
Yun Lu

PhD Students:

Jiaxin Li

Business team working through some analytics

OUR RESEARCH PLANNING GROUPS Responsible Banking

The Responsible Banking research group brings together academics to collaborate on topical and high calibre academic research in sustainable banking, industrial structures, and regulation. Through members extensive links with multilateral organisations, regulators, and industry, the research group connects academic researchers with practitioners and policymakers to address some of the biggest questions facing the banking sector.

Our group members include:

Emeritus Staff:

External Members

PhD students:

Our Management Board

Meet the staff members that make up the The Institute of European Finance Management Board.

Edward Thomas Jones

Director of Institute of European Finance

Khaled Hussainey

Lead of the Accounting and Governance Research Planning

Rasha Alsakka

Lead Credit Risk

Laurence Jones

Lead of the Financial Innovation and Data Analytics Research Planning Group

Owain ap Gwilym

Lead Responsible Banking

Postgraduate Research

Find out about the research opportunities we have on offer for postgraduate students in our subject areas.

Accounting, Banking and Finance

Highlights

Due to their expertise and global reputation, members of the Institute of European Finance feature frequently in the national and international media. In addition, members often write short blogs in response to current events, disseminate research findings, and inform a wide array of stakeholders. Details of media coverage and appearances, and blogs, can be found below.

Congratulations to Yener, who has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the University of Calabria. This position will enable Yener to:
- Prepare a Horizon grant application with colleagues from University of Calabria and several other Italian and European universities. This project relates to Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, and Mobility) which targets sustainable transitions by focusing on investigating the decarbonization efforts of SMEs and the impact of Net Zero legislation and local government initiatives;
- Give research seminars to PhD students at the University of Calabria;
- Finalise two research papers: 1) Stranded assets and climate-related risks in Italy; 2) Religiosity and Climate Change.
Congratulations to Binru, who has been awarded £1,540 by the Taith Research Mobility Programme. This will fund a visit the University of Massachusetts Boston and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for two weeks in September, in order to further develop his network of colleagues with interests in sustainable banking.
Ed published an article in Business News Wales about the new US trade tariffs and the potential impact on the UK economy - Tariff is not the most beautiful word in the dictionary.
On Wednesday, Ian presented his work at a University of Kent webinar: “AI in Higher Education: What Happened When I Made It Mandatory in Assessments”. He will present this work to the School on 30^th April 2025.
Yener’s recently published research in the Journal of Banking & Finance - Stricter Oversight Needed As Financial Misconduct Drives Risk-Taking in Banking
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spring Statement was a focus this week. Ed shared his views with the i Paper and Rhys spoke on Dros Frecwast on BBC Radio Cymru (00:14:00).
Matteo De Leonardis, a researcher from the University of LUM Giuseppe Degennaro, Bari, is currently visiting Bangor to work on a research paper on “Sustainability and bank efficiency” with Yener. The project also includes Candida Bussoli (LUM Giuseppe Degennaro), and Mariantonietta Intonti (University of Bari Aldo Moro). It aims to develop a methodology to estimate Scope 3 emissions for financial institutions to inform and support bank regulators.
On Wednesday, 26th March 2025, Emmanouil Pyrgiotakis (University of Essex) will presented his paper entitled “High-frequency trading and stock price crash risk” to the BBS Research Seminar Series. Many thanks to Shee Yee for hosting this interesting session.

Earlier Highlights

Working Papers and Publications

The Institute of European Finance is a name synonymous with research excellence. Members conduct rigorous academic analysis and combine knowledge and tools from different disciplines to meet current and future challenges. Details of members’ publications can be found below.