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IFABS LONDON 2026

Financial Regulation, Innovation, and Growth: Building the Foundations for a Resilient Future

Call for Paper

IFABS 2026 London
13–15 July 2026 | Bayes Business School (City St George’s, University of London)

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The International Finance and Banking Society (IFABS) invites submissions for its 2026 annual conference, hosted at Bayes Business School on 13–15 July 2026. The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how regulation and innovation can reinforce long‑run productivity and sustainable growth in the financial sector and the wider economy—especially in an era of rapid technological change and evolving prudential frameworks.

 

Topics of interest

We welcome submissions of empirical and theoretical research across banking, finance, fintech and macro-finance. Consistent with recent IFABS calls, topics include (but are not limited to): 

  • Artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning applications in banking and finance 

  • Asset management; asset pricing and financial engineering

  • Behavioural finance; business models and balance‑sheet structures

  • Capital markets

  • Corporate finance and corporate governance; 

  • Competitiveness, productivity & growth in financial services; market structure; internationalisation

  • Diversity in the financial sector - ethical finance

  • Finance for economic growth and recovery; SMEs finance and growth

  • Financial contagion and systemic risk; risk management; financial reporting

  • Financial inclusion and financial education; consumer protection

  • Financial institutions and markets: issues in monetary & economic policy; coping with inflation; geopolitical risks; monetary tightening

  • Financial regulation and supervision (capital, liquidity, proportionality, resolution, etc.) 

  • Financial stability and macroprudential policy; financial stability and monetary policy

  • Financial turmoil and external extreme shocks (e.g., pandemics, warfare scenarios) 

  • Innovation & technology in finance (AI/ML, big data, platform finance, digital money/CBDC, payments, market infrastructure)

  • Public and infrastructure finance

  • Risk management, reporting & disclosure; business models and balance‑sheet structure; asset pricing

  • Sustainable/green finance & climate risk

 

Special Sessions (New for 2026)

To encourage debate around this year’s theme, this edition features three curated special sessions:

  1. Growth and productivity in the UK financial sector

  2. International financial‑sector competitiveness

  3. Links between financial regulation, economic activity and growth

Each session will be chaired by a senior policy‑maker from the Bank of England or the FCA, include academic and policy discussants, and is endorsed by the Bank of England and the FCA. 

We particularly welcome papers on these topics. The final selection will be based on quality and suitability of submitted papers.

Proposals for additional special sessions/roundtables are also welcome (email us here).

 

Keynote speakers

  • David Bailey (Executive Director, Prudential Policy, Bank of England)

  • Nicola Cetorelli (Head of Financial Intermediation, Federal Reserve Bank of New York)

More information to follow.

High-level policy panel on the conference theme, watch this space for more details.

 

Awards

  • IFABS will present the IFABS Best Paper Award and the IFABS Best PhD Paper Award.

 

Submission & review

  • What to submit: Full papers (preferred) or extended abstracts (≥1,000 words).

  • How to submit: Via ConfTool  (Click here) or click any submit Button 

  • Review: Peer‑reviewed by the Scientific/Programme Committee. At least one author of accepted papers must register and present.

Important dates

  • 1 April 2026 – Paper submissions deadline

  • 1 May 2026 – Notifications of acceptance (target)

  • 31 May 2026 – Early registration deadline (presenters)

  • 28 June 2026 – Late registration closes

  • 13–15 July 2026 – IFABS 2026 London Conference dates

 

Venue

Bayes Business School (City St George’s, University of London)

 

Conference Chairs

  • Professor Barbara Casu (Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London)

  • Dr Kate Collyer (Financial Conduct Authority)

  • Professor Meryem Duygun (University of Nottingham)

  • Professor Sonia Falconieri (Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London)

  • Dr Mahmoud Fatouh (Bank of England)

  • Professor Eddie Gerba (Bank of England & London School of Economics)

  • Dr Artur Kotlicki (Bank of England)

 

Contact

Special‑session proposals & enquiries: info@ifabsglobal.com (Subject: IFABS 2026 – Special Session). 

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