Research Projects

ACFS is well placed to make direct introductions for academics seeking industry partnerships such as for ARC grants.

Introductions also occur informally via ACFS events and participation in ACFS-organised roundtables and Research Reference Groups (RRGs).

ACFS involves expert academics at its member universities in commissioned research, for example:

 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index: ACFS has brought together a group of senior industry and academic experts to oversee the study which compares international retirement systems. Input was also sought from the World Bank, the OECD and the International Centre for Pension Management at Roman University in Canada. The Global Pension Index has stimulated debate and research activity among policy makers, regulators and the funds management community globally. The 2011 Global Pension Index will be launched in Melbourne on 11 October and then in New York and London. See www.globalpensionindex.com

Finsia-ACFS Financial Wellbeing in Retirement: Given the financial services industry plays a key role in assisting Australians in achieving financial wellbeing in retirement, Finsia commissioned the Australian Centre for Financial Studies (ACFS) to prepare an exposition paper to comprehensively explore the range of issues associated with it. The paper provides a thorough exploration of pre-retirement and post retirement issues as well as the retirement decision itself. Policy issues are clearly articulated along with the authors’ recommendations in response to such issues.

ACSI-ACFS Research Report into Private Equity: This research was commissioned by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) to assess the range of issues that flow from a trend toward public companies being privatised. The paper reviews existing academic literature, analyses recent Australian and international case studies, and applies finance theory to the specific questions raised when public companies are subject to bids intended to take them into private ownership.

KPMG-ACFS Future of Bank Funding: the subject of this study, is the unique nature of bank funding in Australia. The study examines the current situation including the marked difference in funding patterns between major and second tier banks and the heavy reliance of the major Australian banks in particular on wholesale funding, much of it from overseas.  These issues and more are examined in the monograph in exploring the potential future for Australian bank funding.

ANZT-ACFS Australian Equities Database: is a unique digital database of Australian Equities from 1948 to 2011. The database fills gaps in Australian databases and provides a more comprehensive base for the analysis of portfolio formation strategies and capital asset pricing models over the longer term. To be launched in October 2011.

To discuss research options please contact Prof Kevin Davis (+61 3) 9666 1050.