Western Finance Association 2013: A Retrospective
The Western Finance Association (WFA) 2013 Annual Meeting, held that year in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, served as a significant platform for the dissemination and discussion of cutting-edge research in financial economics. The conference, a cornerstone event for academics and practitioners in the field, attracted a diverse group of scholars presenting papers across a wide spectrum of financial topics.
Keynote speeches and presentations highlighted emerging trends and challenges facing the financial industry. While specific speaker details are difficult to pinpoint definitively without archival records, it’s safe to assume the program included presentations on topics highly relevant to the prevailing economic climate of 2013. This likely encompassed analyses of the ongoing recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, with focused attention on areas like asset pricing in a low-interest-rate environment, the impact of regulatory reforms on market behavior, and the evolving landscape of risk management.
Several broad research themes consistently appear at WFA conferences, and 2013 was no exception. Corporate finance papers would have explored areas such as capital structure decisions, mergers and acquisitions, dividend policy, and corporate governance. Asset pricing presentations likely covered topics like behavioral finance, market efficiency, factor models, and the pricing of fixed income securities and derivatives. In the realm of financial institutions, expect research on bank regulation, financial innovation, and the role of institutions in the broader economy.
Given the increasing importance of econometrics and empirical analysis, a substantial portion of the presentations would have involved sophisticated methodologies for testing financial theories and evaluating the performance of financial markets. This could include the application of new econometric techniques, the use of large datasets to uncover patterns in financial data, and the development of more robust methods for causal inference.
Furthermore, the WFA 2013 meeting would have fostered networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and build collaborations. The informal atmosphere of the conference, coupled with its location in a desirable destination, facilitated meaningful interactions both inside and outside the formal presentation sessions. Doctoral students and junior faculty benefited immensely from the opportunity to present their research and receive feedback from leading scholars in the field.
In summary, the Western Finance Association 2013 Annual Meeting provided a valuable forum for researchers and practitioners to engage with the latest developments in financial economics. The conference contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field and helped shape the ongoing dialogue surrounding the most pressing issues facing the financial industry at the time. While specific details are elusive without access to archived programs, its general contribution to the field of finance is undeniable.