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Building Financial Protection Against Climate Shocks
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant economic challenges, particularly for developing countries. At the same time, many nations lack the financial instruments needed to effectively cope with the consequences of such events. Against this backdrop, Ulf Moslener and Sebastian Rink examine why international support should not be limited to post-disaster assistance but instead focus on building financial resilience to climate risks before disasters occur. The authors argue that the global gap in financial protection against climate risks cannot be explained solely by a lack of financial resources. Rather, structural barriers prevent vulnerable countries from developing effective systems to manage climate shocks. The study identifies three key challenges. First, many countries lack…
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Pension Liquidity Risks: How Interest Rate Hedging Can Create New Risks for Pension Funds
Pension funds frequently use interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk associated with their long-term obligations to retirees. While this strategy helps reduce the impact of interest rate changes on their liabilities, it can also create new risks. Against this backdrop, Kristy A.E. Jansen, Sven Klingler, Angelo Ranaldo and Patty Duijm examine how the use of interest rate swaps can expose pension funds to liquidity risk and what implications this may have for financial markets. The study is based on detailed regulatory data covering Dutch pension funds between 2012 and 2022. The dataset includes information on assets, liabilities, bond holdings and derivative positions, providing a comprehensive view of pension…
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When Board Members Become Challenging
The effectiveness of boards largely depends on the quality of interaction among their members. In their study, Marianna Zangrillo, Thomas Keil and Stevo Pavićević analyse typical behavioural patterns that can impair board functioning and show how boards can address these challenges. The study is based on qualitative interviews with more than 120 board chairs and directors across a range of industries and countries. At the core of the analysis lies the observation that individual board members can significantly influence the effectiveness of discussions and decision-making processes through their behaviour. These dynamics often manifest in recurring patterns that lead to inefficient discussions, delays, and a decline in decision quality. The study identifies three…
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New study: Where ChatGPT already works in online shopping – and where it does not
Analysis of 973 e-commerce websites with more than USD 20 billion in revenue shows ChatGPT’s limited role in online shopping For complex products with high information needs, ChatGPT referrals can create value For standard products involving simple decision-making processes, ChatGPT lags behind most channels ChatGPT was quickly framed as a potential “Google killer” in online shopping. A new study by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management paints a more nuanced picture: for complex purchase decisions, ChatGPT can already be a relevant channel. Across broader e-commerce, however, its actual role remains much smaller than expected. Professor Christian Schulze, Professor of Marketing at Frankfurt School, and Maximilian Kaiser from the University…
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“Us versus them” – new research shows how politicians can polarise voters by simply naming an “enemy” group
The study from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management shows that reflecting on a perceived outgroup can increase disagreement on political issues by 8 to 35 percent. The study is based on a survey among 13,000 people in the US. The findings suggest that “us versus them” framing can shift beliefs even without new facts, policy arguments or misinformation. Simply mentioning an “enemy” outgroup, without any other information, is enough to increase disagreement with them, finds new research from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. In an experiment with a large representative US sample of nearly 13,000 respondents Professor Frederik Schwerter from Frankfurt School, alongside Professor Nicola Gennaioli and…
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Frankfurt School of Finance & Management appoints Siemens AG CFO Veronika Bienert to its Board of Trustees
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management has appointed Veronika Bienert, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens AG, to its Board of Trustees, effective 1 May 2026. The Board, which comprises leading figures from the business world, advises and supervises the management of the business school. The members of the Board of Trustees bring many years of experience in senior roles at internationally operating companies across a broad range of sectors and, through their expertise, make a significant contribution to the strategic development of Frankfurt School. “In order to put Germany and Europe in a position to succeed in the future, we need people with curiosity, the courage to drive change and the willingness to engage in lifelong learning. Such people are our most important…
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Frankfurt School of Finance & Management cooperates with the Central Bank of Syria
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management welcomed His Excellency Dr Abdelkader Husrieh, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, for a high level visit focused on strengthening institutional cooperation and advancing capacity development initiatives between the Central Bank of Syria and Frankfurt School, as well as across the broader Syrian financial sector. Discussions centred on several priority areas, including the establishment of a Central Bank Training Academy to enhance institutional capabilities; the development of sustainable housing finance systems; collaboration in training and education; and support for SME and private sector financing to foster economic growth. The planned cooperation aims to support the modernization of Syria’s financial system and to build local expertise in key areas of banking,…
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Commerzbank Mittelstandsinstitut launched at Frankfurt School
The institute addresses strategic, financing and other key challenges facing German small and medium-sized enterprises. As a new platform, it combines academic excellence with entrepreneurial practice and fosters structured dialogue between academia, business, policymakers and society. Two new professorships and a postdoctoral position will engage in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and Commerzbank AG have signed a funding agreement to establish the new Commerzbank Mittelstandinstitut. The institute will combine research, teaching and knowledge transfer on key topics relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The focus will be on strategy and financing. The institute is designed as a platform for excellent research and teaching as well as continuous cross-industry dialogue. Commerzbank’s support enables the establishment of a research professorship, a…
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Frankfurt School renames Blockchain Center to reflect expanded focus on digital economy
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management has renamed its Frankfurt School Blockchain Center (FSBC) to Frankfurt School Centre for Digital Economics. The new name reflects the Centre’s expanded thematic scope and its evolving role at the intersection of finance, economics and technology. The renaming has been announced at the Centre’s Crypto Assets Conference on 25 March 2026. Since its establishment, the FSBC has built a strong reputation as a thought leader in blockchain and digital asset research. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, its work has increasingly broadened to include wider questions around the infrastructure of the digital financial systems and economy as well as data-driven innovation. The Centre’s renaming underscores Frankfurt School’s strategic commitment to advancing research and education in digital transformation. By expanding the Centre’s scope, the business school reinforces its position as a…
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Frankfurt School and WM Gruppe award the Philipp Sandner Memorial Award in Digital Finance Research
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and WM Gruppe have awarded the Philipp Sandner Memorial Award in Digital Finance Research for the second time. The award, endowed with a total of €10,000, is shared this year by two recipients, Judith Bohnenkamp and Professor Lorenzo Schönleber, and has been presented on 25 March 2026 at the Crypto Assets Conference. Judith Bohnenkamp, a PhD candidate at the University of Miami, examines in her award-winning paper “The Tech Aficionado: Household Finance in the Age of Digital Access”, how the adoption of financial technology such as banking apps influences household investment decisions. Her findings show that technology primarily helps financially literate individuals to overcome portfolio inefficiencies. At the same time, however, technology adoption leads to…
