The Center for Financial Studies (CFS), based in the House of Finance, is an independent research institute affiliated to the Goethe University Frankfurt. It was founded in 1967 and known until 1996 as Institut für Kapitalmarktforschung. CFS conducts applied research in the areas of financial markets, financial intermediaries and monetary and macroeconomics. It serves as a forum for dialogue between academia, policymaking institutions and the financial community and offers specialized executive training. CFS also aims to offer a platform for discussion for certain topical issues, in order to encourage the academic debate in Frankfurt.
Research
Its spectrum of activities currently spans 7 research programs, each of which is under the leadership of a program director. CFS academic staff collaborates on the ensuing research projects with renowned researchers (fellows) from different countries. Research findings are presented at international conferences and/or published in international academic journals or practice-oriented outlets with a wide reach in the financial community. In addition, within the framework of the individual programs, workshops and research conferences are held to discuss prevailing issues.
Dialogue
CFS promotes the dialogue between academia and the financial community by regularly organizing conferences, colloquia, academic forum discussions and specialist presentations on finance-related issues. CFS also cooperates with other financial research institutions and is an active participant in international research networks. CFS aims to be an active partner of policymaking institutions and the financial community in promoting the application of research findings in policy and industry practice.
Executive Development
With its seminars, CFS makes a contribution to qualification training and executive development in designated fields. Renowned university lecturers, leading practitioners and important international partners provide top quality knowledge as well as methods and instruments for practical application.
CFS Financial Center Index
The CFS Financial Centre Index is based on a quarterly administered management survey among Germany's financial industry. The Index consists of qualitative input regarding four key business indicators – business volumes, earnings situation, employee numbers and investments – for the previous and current quarter. The index aggregates the judgements and expectations of key persons of Germany's financial centers. Additionally, there are special questions that are dedicated to current topics in economics and politics.
The sponsoring body of CFS is the Gesellschaft für Kapitalmarktforschung e.V., which counts amongst its members more than 80 banks, insurances, consulting firms and commercial enterprises. CFS is headed by its President Otmar Issing. The management team of CFS consists of three Managing Directors: Michael Haliassos, Jan Pieter Krahnen, and Uwe Walz. The institute’s sponsoring association is chaired by Rolf E. Breuer.
