INSTITUTE OF MONEY AND BANKING

 

 

Publication Record

 

Aintablian, S., and G. S. Roberts. 2000. A note on market response to corporate loan announcements in Canada. Journal of Banking and Finance.

Hakim, S., and S. Neaime. 2000. Perspectives on the integration of some financial markets in the MENA region. Global Financial Markets and Economic Development. Toronto, Canada: APF Press.

Makdisi, S. 1999. Economic developments in the ESCWA region. The ESCWA Region, Twenty-five Years (1974-1999): Political, Economic and Social Developments. United Nations.

 

———. 2000. Arab economic integration and globalization at the beginning of the twenty first century. Arab Affairs, special issue on the Arabs and the Twenty First Century.

———. 2000. Comments on Arab monetary co-operation and the lessons of the Euro. The Impact of the Euro on the Arab Economies. Arab Monetary Fund.

———, ed. 2000. The Role of the Private Sector in the Arab Economies. Arab  Fund for Economic and Social Development/Arab Monetary Fund.

———. 2000. Towards Arab Economic Co-operation in the Context of Prevailing World  Conditions on text of “Arab Economic Co-operation: Regionalism vs Globalization.” Arab Thought Forum/Shuman Organization.

———. 2001. Lebanese national defense. Globalization and the World Economy.

———. 2001. Role of the Arab sector in Arab economic development. Arab Economic Co-operation: Future Horizon. Arab Bank Center for Scientific Research.

Mansoorian, A., and S. Neaime. 2000. Habits and durability in consumption and the effects of tariff protection. Open Economies Review 11 (3):195–205.

Neaime, S. 2000. The Macroeconomics of Exchange Rate Policies, Tariff Protection and the Current Account: A Dynamic Framework. Toronto, Canada: APF Press.

 

Abstracts, Conferences, and Proceedings

 

Aintablian, S., and G. Roberts. July 2000. Market response to the announcements of mergers and acquisitions of Canadian financial institutions. Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

———. October 2000. Market response to the announcements of mergers and acquisitions of Canadian financial institutions. Financial Management Association Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, USA.

———. June 2001. Market response to the announcements of mergers and acquisitions of Canadian financial institutions. Multinational Finance Society Annual Meeting, Garda, Italy.

Hakim, S., and S. Neaime. October 2000. Mean-reversion across MENA stock markets: Implications for portfolio allocations. Finance and Labor Markets. Proceedings of the Economic Research Forum Seventh Annual Conference, Amman, Jordan.

 

———. January 2001. Price linkages and integration of Middle East stock markets. American Economic Association Meetings, New Orleans, USA.

Makdisi, S. November 1999. Challenges facing the Arab world: Economic and educational dimension. The Arab World and Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities, Tunis, Tunisia.

———. January 2000. Privatization in Lebanon: The main issues. Seminar on Privatization, Beirut, Lebanon.

———. June 2000. Determinants of economic growth in the Middle East: Preliminary findings. Global Development Network Prague Workshop, Prague, Czech Republic.

———. September 2000. Role of the private sector in Arab economic development. Arab Economic Co-operation: Future Horizons, Amman, Jordan.

———. November 2000. Lebanon: Challenges of development. Reconciliation and Development in Lebanon: Challenges and Prospects, Washington DC, USA.

———. April 2001. Determinants of economic growth in the Middle East. Determinants of Economic Growth, Cairo, Egypt.

———. June 2001. The Lebanese civil war: Preliminary findings. The Economics of Civil War, Oslo, Norway.

Neaime, S. August 2000. The implications of the euro currency for the Mediterranean economies. Global Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century, Athens, Greece.

———. March 2001. The euro and the Mediterranean reg. FEMISE and ERF Second Annual Conference on Euro-Mediterranean Economic Relations, Marseilles, France.

———. June 2001. Real exchange rates and productivity shocks in a model with habits and durability in consumption. Canadian Economics Association, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Neaime, S., and J. Paschakis. June 2000. Estimating the effects of real interest rates and real exchange rates changes on aggregate supply. Canadian Economics Association Meetings, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Vijayraghavan, V., G. Roberts, and S. Aintablian. June 2001. Does issuing stock index linked debt create  shareholder value? Evidence from the Paris Bourse. Multinational Finance Society Annual Meeting, Garda, Italy.

 

 

 

Graduate Theses and Projects

 

Abou Zahr, R. June 2001. The Lebanese rent law and its economic implications. S. Neaime and S. El Fakhani.

Abu Awad, Y. May 2000. Reality and problems of Islamic banks. S. Neaime and Y. Shibl.

Abu Habib, A. June 2000. On the independence of the Lebanese central bank. S. Neaime and Y. El Khalil.

Akkad, B. February 2000. The Lebanese banking system and the effects of globalization. S. Neaime and I. Itani.

Al-Jure, E. May 2001. Business on the internet. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Al-Rifai, N. May 2001. Globalization :Its political aspects. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Arida, M. June 2000. Home banking with reference to Lebanon. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Assaf, A. February 2001. Lebanese plastic money. S. Neaime and I. Baalbaki.

Berberi, D. May 2001. The impact of globalization on the merger and acquisition trend. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Beydoun, A. June 2000. Privatization: Benefits and costs, the Lebanese case. S. Neaime and K. Hamdan.

Bizri, R. May 2001. Constraint on financing SMEs in Lebanon. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Bou Habib, E. June 2000. Business incubators: A tool for economic development. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Bou Jaoudi, R. February 2001. Privatization: Strategic, financial and institutional frameworks. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Boudiab, R. October 1999. The Asian crisis and the role of the International Monetary Fund. S. Makdisi and S. Neaime.

Bouldoukian, Ch. February 2000. Commercial banks in Lebanon: Evolution & performance (1988-1997). S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Chamseddine, A. K. June 2000. Economic development in the Middle East and North Africa and the role of the International Finance Corporation. S. Neaime and A. Hajj.

El Eid, N. February 2001. Project financing: The case of Societe des Ciments Libanais S.A.L. S. Neaime and T. Khalil.

Halabi, J. S. January 2000. The European Monetary Union in relation with the European system of central banks. S. Neaime and L. Hobeika.

Hallal, Z. A. June 2001. Financing start up companies: Sources alternative to bank loans. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Hammoud, H. June 2000. Lebanese public debt: 1990-1998. S. Makdisi and S. Neaime.

Harb, I. June 2001. Economic integration of East Asia and the GCC region: A comparative analysis. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Ibrahim, T. June 2000. Capital guaranteed funds. S. Neaime and E. Araktinji.

Itani, H. June 2001. Audit of Lebanese banks. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Jajeh, M. June 2000. Lebanese banks productivity: Is big better? S. Neaime and S. Andary.

Jazra, J. February 2001. Beirut stock exchange: Prospects as a regional financial center. S. Makdisi and S. Neaime.

Khoury, R. February 2000. The Lebanese and Jordanian financial markets. S. Neaime and Gh. Youssef.

Khoury, R. June 2001. The new economy of business models. S. Neaime and A. Ramadan.

Koussa, D. June 2000. Credit derivatives. S. Neaime and I. Itani.

Nasr, J. June 2001. Information technology diffusion and economic development: The case of developing countries. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Haidar, S. December 1999. Emerging Arab financial markets with reference to Morocco and Oman. S. Neaime and L. Hobeika.

Tannir, N. June 2001. The economic implications of e-commerce. S. Neaime and S. Makdisi.

Yazbeck, S. February 2000. Euro-Mediterranean partnership: Implications and challenges. S. Neaime and J. Azour.
 

 

 

Research Projects

 

Market response to the announcements of mergers and acquisitions of Canadian financial institutions

This study examines a sample of mergers of Canadian financial institutions during the 1990's to determine whether in-pillar, cross-pillar and foreign mergers are value-enhancing, and to determine possible sources of synergies behind those mergers. We develop testable hypotheses for Canadian FI mergers by synthesizing prior US tests in the context of Canadian institutional arrangements. The overall results support the generality of findings of prior US studies that the average abnormal return for both the acquiring and target firms is positive and statistically significant. This result suggests that acquisitions in the financial industry are, in Canada, as elsewhere, driven by value-maximizing motivations. Our study also shows that acquiring institutions' shareholders benefit more when the acquisition is of a similar type (in-pillar) and domestic. Aintablian, S., and G. Roberts.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at York University, Canada, and AUB

 

War and economics: The economic development of Lebanon, 1950-2000

 

This is a book length research project near completion. Four basic questions are addressed. The first focuses on economic developments in the pre-1975 period in the context of the evolving political environment. The second pertains to the impact of the war on the national economy and society, and the constraints it imposed on economic performance. The third relates to the evolution of the national economy in the post Taif phase. The fourth deals with the lessons to be derived from the Lebanese experience, especially as concerns small open economies in the context of the new world economy.  Makdisi, S.

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Determinants of economic growth in the Middle East

The project has three main objectives. The first is to use the broader framework provided by the recent empirical growth literature to measure and assess the relative contribution of the main sources of long-term economic growth in the MENA region. The second is to analyze whether the region's growth pattern is unique or could be fully explained within a global framework. The third is to account for inter-regional variations in the relative contributions of the main sources of growth.


A preliminary draft of this research project has been completed appearing as Working Paper of the Economic Research Forum for the Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey. Makdisi, S., Z. Fattah*, and I. Limam*.

Supported by Economic Research Forum and the Global Development Network
Completed or in progress at AUB and Arab Planning Institute

 

Working Paper for Economic Research Forum (Cairo)

Determinants of economic growth in the Middle East. 1999. Makdisi, S., Z. Fattah, I. and Limam.

 

 

Exchange rate and inflation under conditions of volatility and relative stability: The experience of a small open economy

This project examines the relationship between the nominal exchange rate and inflation rate in the context of a small open economy (Lebanon). In particular, it estimates an open-economy reduced form specification with monthly Lebanese data for the period 1991-1998. The estimation is carried out by means of a vector autoregression (VAR). The empirical results provide support for a significant positive relationship between the exchange rate and the inflation rate differential under conditions of high exchange rate volatility as well as relative rate stability. Makdisi, S., and S. Neaime.

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Economics, civil war, and political instability: The case of Lebanon

 

The economic literature has recently begun to address the relationship between large-scale political violence and/or civil strife, on the one hand, and economic growth, on the other. Building on cross-country and theoretical research on civil war, the case study focuses on the causes of the Lebanese civil war, the factors that accounted for its relatively long duration (16 years) and the process of national rebuilding in the post civil war period. Does the conduct of the process lead to a reduced risk of future armed conflict and lay the foundations for a stable political system? Makdisi, S. (PL), and R. Sadaka.

Supported by World Bank
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

 

European Monetary Union and the future EU-Arab countries trade relations

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the implications of European Monetary Union, achieved after the introduction of the Euro, on the diversified and non-diversified economies of the Arab World. It also looks at the prospects of enhanced Arab integration, as well as, European Union-Arab trade integration. Neaime, S. (PL).

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Monetary and financial implications of the Euro on Arab countries

This project presents a comprehensive analysis of the financial implications of the introduction of the Euro on the diversified and non-diversified economies of Arab region. It aims at a discussion of the various financial and monetary channels of transmission, through which monetary integration in the European Union achieved after the introduction of the Euro, will affect the Arab region. The already existing intense EU-Arab financial patterns, which are expected to be intensified and enhanced after the introduction of the Euro, will be at the forefront in shaping up the Mediterranean region's exchange rate policies, foreign exchange reserves holdings, portfolio diversification, and the holdings of foreign international liabilities. Neaime, S.

Completed or in progress at AUB



Monetary policy rules and nominal exchange rate targeting in selected MENA countries

This project highlights and critically assesses the conduct of monetary policy in the context of a small open economy (Lebanon and Turkey). The estimation will be carried out by means of a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Neaime, S.
 
Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Common persistence and volatility links in MENA stock markets

This project analyzes the growth, performance, and properties of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) stock markets between 1990 and 1998. Our results show that the Cairo, Casa, and Istanbul are already integrated with world markets, but that Amman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Riyadh offer unique risk-return characteristics to investors seeking international diversification. Among the inter-MENA markets, we find little evidence of linkages casting doubt about the claim that the MENA markets are regionally integrated. Neaime, S., and P. Beaumont.
 
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Durable goods, money, habits, and the effects of exchange rate Po

This project considers the money-in-utility model in an open economy setting in which consumption goods exhibits durability. If, for whatever reason, the stock of durable goods is above its steady state level, then the adjustment path consumption expenditures would be rising; there would be a current account surplus, but real money holdings would be constant. Without habits, money is super-neutral. Habits break super-neutrality. With habits and durable goods, the adjustment of consumption expenditures and the current account in response to a change in the rate of depreciation will likely be non-monotonic, while the adjustment of real balances will be monotonic. Neaime, S. (PL), and A. Mansoorian.

Completed or in progress at York University, Toronto, Canada

 

Sources of economic growth in the APEC countries

The purpose of this project is to evaluate, empirically, the sources of economic growth in the APEC countries. The sources of economic growth that are considered in this study are initial conditions, policy variables, macroeconomic stability, and demographic and sociopolitical factors. Using data on 17 APEC countries, during the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the empirical evidence shows that, while macroeconomic stability and economic openness have a positive impact on growth, government spending, and population growth has a negative effect. Neaime, S. (PL), and L. Michellis.

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Does issuing stock index linked debt create shareholder value? Evidence from the Paris Bourse

French banks and non-financial companies issue index-linked debt whose  value  at maturity is indexed to the CAC 40 or  to a basket of European indices. This paper examines stock announcement effects associated with these bonds on three dates: the date the issuer's General Assembly decides on the coming capital needs, the publication of the issue in the journal of the COB (the stock market board), and the issue date. We find that the issuance of index-linked debt has significant positive announcement effects on the issue date, which we attribute to the market-completion attributes of this debt in France. Vijayraghavan, V., G. S. Roberts, and S. Aintablian.
 
Completed or in progress at University of Paris-Dauphine and AUB