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Accounting & Finance

7 December 2021
Can a set of minimum ESG reporting standards solve the ESG reporting dilemma?

Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana

The integrity and verifiability of ESG data, the numerous disclosure frameworks, and the subjective nature of the ESG ratings may spark doubt among stakeholders which could limit integrating sustainability risks and opportunities into investment analyses. Until we have a mandatory and uniform framework with a minimum set of standards, ESG will remain only a buzzword.
28 October 2022
Do banks reward SMEs‘ good ESG performance with lower interest rates?
Paul Glang
SMEs are increasingly expected to report their ESG performance. But do banks reward good ESG performance with a lower interest rate? The short answer is “no, not really”. But bad performance might be punished in the future. The question of how sustainability affects the relationship between companies and their bank and their financing costs is currently of high relevance.
ESG reporting is complex and expensive. Investors could eliminate SMEs that do not disclose ESG information from asset allocation, depriving them of the crucial finances necessary for their survival. But how receptive are SMEs to ESG reporting?
28 April 2022
Are SMEs ready for ESG Reporting? Opportunities and Challenges
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
7 December 2021
How my PhD visit strengthened my research network
Jonas Wessel
My choice to visit Frankfurt School was affirmed by their structured coursework programme that provides students with methodological skills as well as with an in-depth knowledge of economics, finance, and accounting. My time here is helping me expand my research network as well as significantly improve my dissertation projects.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation is an opportunity for researchers and innovators to access sustainable financing for solutions that help accelerate decarbonisation. It sets out definitions and rules to help investors and companies transition to a low carbon economy and provides a shared reference for green activities.
16 November 2021
The Domino Effect of Sustainability – How does the EU Taxonomy Regulation affect society?
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
17 June 2021
New opportunities for Central Banks with Financial Big Data

Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana

The use of big data in central banks is growing; a 2020 survey found about 80% of central banks used big data as compared to 30% in 2015, and about 40% of them utilised it to inform policy. Overall, central banks are yet to widely adopt big data due to infrastructure, skills, and cost challenges.
20 July 2020
No credit crunch (yet) – but here is why we should be worried

Prof. Dr. Sascha Steffen

The ECB has just published its Bank Lending Survey for the second quarter. The survey provides a window in bank lending in the euro area and, in particular, the supply of loans by banks to the non-financial sector. Taken at face value, the numbers are not that bad. We observe only a small tightening of lending standards across the euro area, large firms do not experience any tightening while small and medium enterprises face somewhat stricter supply conditions. 
23 September 2021
frankly.green – the green Crowdinvesting Platform of Frankfurt School
Tobias Panofen
With frankly.green, we have made a conscious decision to facilitate financing for green businesses in emerging markets. Already back in 2004, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, stated: "In Africa today, we recognise that trade and investment, and not aid, are pillars of development." We strongly believe that investors can make a big and very direct impact here.
Immer mehr spielt sich unser Leben auf virtuellen Plattformen ab. Umgekehrt verlieren physische Einrichtungen wie Filialen, aber auch Autohäuser, oder Buchläden an Relevanz. Was bedeutet diese Entwicklung für die Finanzbranche? Offenbar befinden wir uns an einer entscheidenden Stelle in der Fortentwicklung des wirtschaftlichen Handelns.
21 July 2021
Welche Rolle spielen Banken in der Plattformwirtschaft?
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Moormann
26 May 2021
Banks and Climate Risk Exposure – why do banks care about climate risk?
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
Climate-related risks threaten financial stability and banks can play a crucial role in addressing the impact of these risks to ensure a climate-resilient financial system. An emerging series of studies uses stress tests to examine banks portfolio-level exposure to transition risk. Central banks and prudential regulators have either launched stress tests or have it as a priority.
Digitisation has radically changed business conditions for executive managers. The Internet has permeated all aspects of human life, transforming societies, economies and cultures in fundamental ways – not least through ever more pervasive networking.
19 January 2021
Leadership in the age of digitisation: finance in focus
Prof. Dr. Bernd Wallraff
5 May 2020
Have you felt the sustainable finance-related regulatory attention already?

Menglu Neupert-Zhuang

Together with Karsten Löffler and Sebastian Rink, we have written a chapter in the new book on sustainable finance Nachhaltige Finanzwirtschaft. In our chapter, we provide a historical look-back on the fast regulatory developments in Europe, inter alia Germany and make several suggestions on how financial institutions could prepare themselves for the upcoming challenges and opportunities. If you have already felt the regulatory attention in your job, it is time to get an overview on the current situation.
25 March 2020
How the Corona crisis will affect blockchain ecosystems

Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandner

The Corona virus crisis is also affecting the crypto market. In this short article, I seek to present some thoughts about the effect of the Corona virus on the blockchain sector — including startups, corporates and Bitcoin.
15 September 2020
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Importance of Financial Inclusion
Ricardo A. Estrada Villalta
Never in modern history has financial inclusion been more relevant. Never in the past has granting access and fostering usage to quality financial services and all-around financial solutions for the people had more meaning. Among these much-needed solutions, there is a special mention to digital financial services, which are, in fact, quite compatible with the current global social distancing measures.
Sustainable finance is an important topic for regulators in China. Chinese banks will soon be subject to green finance performance review on a quarterly basis. A consultation document by the Chinese central bank describes the procedures and metrics based on which the banks will be evaluated.
12 August 2020
Regulatory authorities in China will review banks’ green finance performance
Menglu Neupert-Zhuang
Can a set of minimum ESG reporting standards solve the ESG reporting dilemma?
7 December 2021
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
Do banks reward SMEs‘ good ESG performance with lower interest rates?
28 October 2022
Paul Glang
Are SMEs ready for ESG Reporting? Opportunities and Challenges
28 April 2022
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
New opportunities for Central Banks with Financial Big Data
17 June 2021
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
How my PhD visit strengthened my research network
7 December 2021
Jonas Wessel
The Domino Effect of Sustainability – How does the EU Taxonomy Regulation affect society?
16 November 2021
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
No credit crunch (yet) – but here is why we should be worried
20 July 2020
Prof. Dr. Sascha Steffen
frankly.green – the green Crowdinvesting Platform of Frankfurt School
23 September 2021
Tobias Panofen
Welche Rolle spielen Banken in der Plattformwirtschaft?
21 July 2021
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Moormann
Have you felt the sustainable finance-related regulatory attention already?
5 May 2020
Menglu Neupert-Zhuang
Banks and Climate Risk Exposure – why do banks care about climate risk?
26 May 2021
Alexandra B. Kinywamaghana
Leadership in the age of digitisation: finance in focus
19 January 2021
Prof. Dr. Bernd Wallraff
How the Corona crisis will affect blockchain ecosystems
25 March 2020
Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandner
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Importance of Financial Inclusion
15 September 2020
Ricardo A. Estrada Villalta
Regulatory authorities in China will review banks’ green finance performance
12 August 2020
Menglu Neupert-Zhuang