Announcement and Call for Papers

A conference organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the International Association of Financial Engineers (IAFE) and hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

How well do classic notions of financial fragility translate to a system with increasing intermediation by large and/or complex nonbank financial institutions like hedge funds, broker-dealers, and government-sponsored enterprises? Toward answering this question, we are interested in receiving theoretical and empirical papers related to systemic risk arising from the interactions of modern financial institutions and financial markets. Specific topics include (but are not limited to)

  • the role of large and complex nonbank financial intermediaries in modern financial markets, including their interactions with banks and the effect of these interactions on systemic risks;
  • the role of liquidity in maintaining financial system stability;
  • the systemic implications of trends in industry practice, such as clearing and settlement systems and market-risk management techniques;
  • the structure and mechanics of debt and equity securities markets, including related derivatives markets;
  • the ability of investors and regulators to observe and quantify risk; and
  • the potential role of regulation, public policies, market mechanisms, and financial innovation and instruments to reduce systemic risks.

The program will include papers from academics as well as participation by senior policymakers and experienced practitioners.

The conference is being organized by:

  • Scott Frame, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
  • Diana Hancock, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
  • Andreas Lehnert, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
  • David Mordecai, Risk Economics Limited/IAFE
  • Wayne Passmore, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Questions about the conference can be addressed to Scott Frame at scott.frame@atl.frb.org or 404-498-8783.

Papers should likewise be sent to scott.frame@atl.frb.org.

The submission deadline is Jan. 20, 2006, and the organizing committee will notify authors about the status of their papers by Feb. 24, 2006. Individuals willing to serve as discussants for the conference should indicate this willingness with their submission.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will cover travel expenses for non-Federal Reserve presenters and discussants.