This book revolves around the concept of financial risk tolerance and its role in financial markets. Bridging different literatures and reviewing in detail the impact of European regulation on the evolution of risk tolerance assessment, this book discusses the intersection of scholarly research, practitioner experience and current and likely normative developments. In particular, the book focuses on the evolution of the debate on the suitability questionnaire - a key tool introduced with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) and further developed with MiFID's successor - comparing it with empirical evidence on financial risk tolerance determinants, spanning from sociodemographic to behavioral components and life events. The book also looks at the future evolution of the normative framework post MiFID2 addressing in detail two key trends that are already affecting the way in which risk tolerance is dealt with in European financial markets - sustainable development and fintech and roboadvisory. The book includes an original survey run with financial market experts to assess the perceptions regarding these two trends and includes commentaries by a professional financial advisor on the key topics discussed.

This book explores the evolution of the banking sector and the financing tools it fosters, addressing the impact of new regulations and the ensuing opportunities for financial institutions, firms, and individuals. Written in two parts, the project includes papers presented at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Wolpertinger Club - The European Association of University Teachers in Banking and Finance. The first part addresses the impact of policy changes on banks and financial institutions, particularly the impact of recent changes in European policy. The authors explore how policy has been, and is, communicated and how it shapes new incentives and challenges for the banking sector and institutional and individual investors. The book touches upon the debate on the 'bail-in' vs 'bail-out' options and reviews new opportunities for investors on covered and subordinated bond markets in Europe, covering the new regulatory structure provided by the European authorities. The second part explores new financing tools besides the traditional banking sector available to firms and individuals, examining financing options for firms and individuals, and describing the role that alternative capital-market tools such as mini bonds and crowdfunding are playing within the landscape of SME financing. Arguing that financing decisions can ultimately affect the survival rate of startups, this edited collection will be valuable to those researching both finance and business, but particularly to those studying banking, financial institutions and entrepreneurial finance.

This book explores the evolution of the banking sector and the financing tools it fosters, addressing the impact of new regulations and the ensuing opportunities for financial institutions, firms, and individuals. Written in two parts, the project includes papers presented at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Wolpertinger Club - The European Association of University Teachers in Banking and Finance. The first part addresses the impact of policy changes on banks and financial institutions, particularly the impact of recent changes in European policy. The authors explore how policy has been, and is, communicated and how it shapes new incentives and challenges for the banking sector and institutional and individual investors. The book touches upon the debate on the 'bail-in' vs 'bail-out' options and reviews new opportunities for investors on covered and subordinated bond markets in Europe, covering the new regulatory structure provided by the European authorities. The second part explores new financing tools besides the traditional banking sector available to firms and individuals, examining financing options for firms and individuals, and describing the role that alternative capital-market tools such as mini bonds and crowdfunding are playing within the landscape of SME financing. Arguing that financing decisions can ultimately affect the survival rate of startups, this edited collection will be valuable to those researching both finance and business, but particularly to those studying banking, financial institutions and entrepreneurial finance.