The second volume of the series contains a combination of theoretical and empirical studies of issues in financial economics, investments, and banking authored by leading researchers in the US and Europe. Specific topics examined include asset pricing, corporate governance, dividend policy, pricing of financial services, portfolio theory, interest rate risk, capital structure, diversification strategies, and credit risk modelling. In addition to theoretical and empirical papers included in the volume, two represent applied articles written from a regulatory perspective by practising regulators.