Call for Papers: THE MARKET FOR RETAIL FINANCIAL SERVICES: DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION, AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS

                           CALL FOR PAPERS

             ELEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE ECB-CFS RESEARCH
                             NETWORK ON

              "THE MARKET FOR RETAIL FINANCIAL SERVICES:
            DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION, AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS"

              hosted by the Czech National Bank in Prague
                          20-21 October 2008


     The European Central Bank (ECB), the Center for Financial
     Studies (CFS), and the Czech National Bank are inviting
     submission of papers to the 11th conference of the ECB-CFS
     Research Network on "Capital Markets and Financial
     Integration in Europe" (see http://www.eu-financial-system.org).
     The objectives of the conference are: 1) to present
     state-of-the-art international research on major issues
     regarding development in the market for retail financial
     services, its integration across the euro area/European
     Union, and its role in financial and economic efficiency;
     2) to provide a forum for debate among market participants,
     policy makers and researchers. Relevant empirical, policy-
     oriented and theoretical research will be considered.


     KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

     Zdenek Tuma (Governor Czech National Bank)
     Andreas Treichl (CEO Erste Bank)
     Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell (Executive Board Member European
     Central Bank)
     Professor Roman Inderst (University of Frankfurt)
     A policy panel on issues regarding the further integration
     of banking supervision chaired by Lucas Papademos (Vice President
     European Central Bank, TBC) is also planned.


     TOPICS:

     The submission of research papers in the following fields
     is especially encouraged:

     1. The Evolution of Retail Finance
        - Trends in retail banking, retail payments (incl.
          SEPA), mutual fund, insurance, venture capital and
          start-up financing business in Europe
        - The mortgage market: Development and stability
        - Retail finance in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern
          Europe

     2. Financial Retail Services Integration and Regulation
        - The role of laws, regulations and their coordination
          in retail finance in a European context
        - Language barriers, culture, diversion in consumer
          protection rules and taxation as obstacles to retail
          market integration
        - Cross-border activities in different retail financial
          services and local information

     3. The Real Effects of Retail Financial Services
        - Retail finance, consumer credit, and growth
        - Venture capital, innovation, and industry dynamics,
          including SME financing
        - National and community effects of retail banking:
          unemployment, inequality, and economic development

     Submission of papers on other topics falling within the
     scope of the network, as described in the December 2004
     report (see:
     http://www.eu-financial-system.org/report2004en.pdf) is
     also welcome. Selected papers will have a discussant and
     will be placed on the network website.


     EXPENSES:

     Travel (economy class round-trip) and accommodation
     expenses will be covered for academic speakers.


     SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

     Research papers should be sent electronically (MS Word or
     pdf versions only) to:

     CONTACT:       Sabine Wiedemann
                    ECB
     Email:         MAILTO:sabine.wiedemann@ecb.int

     by Friday, 20 June 2008. The authors of selected papers
     will be informed by early July.


     PRECEDING CONFERENCE:

     The 2nd Symposium of the Network is hosted by the ECB in
     Frankfurt on 13 and 14 February 2008 addressing all
     priority areas.


     SUBSEQUENT CONFERENCES:

     The next event will be announced on the network website:

               http://www.eu-financial-system.org
Posted 2/2/08