Research Activities

The Research Center for Monetary and Financial Studies “Mario Arcelli” (CASMEF) conducts research activities are aimed at advancing scientific research in the fields of monetary economics, finance, banking intermediation, and economic policy through an interdisciplinary approach integrating theoretical analysis, empirical research, and policy-oriented applications. The Center promotes the production of high-level scientific knowledge through working papers, academic publications, conferences, seminars, dissemination activities, and applied research projects developed in collaboration with public institutions, supervisory authorities, financial intermediaries, and industrial stakeholders.

A distinctive feature of the research model of the Research Center for Monetary and Financial Studies “Mario Arcelli” (CASMEF) is the presence of permanent thematic observatories dedicated to the analysis of specific strategic areas of the economy and financial system. These observatories serve as structured research and monitoring platforms, supporting the systematic collection and analysis of data, the development of empirical evidence, and the creation of analytical tools to inform academic debate and support decision-making processes in both the public and private sectors.

Within this context, the Observatory on Finance for SME Growth conducts research activities focused on the financial structure of Italian firms, access to capital markets, ESG dimensions, and sustainable growth processes. The Observatory is based on the development of an integrated proprietary database designed to support descriptive and econometric analyses of the relationships among corporate governance, sustainability, firm performance, and investment capacity.

At the same time, Research Center for Monetary and Financial Studies “Mario Arcelli” (CASMEF) promotes research activities through the Observatory on Regulated Sectors and Infrastructures, dedicated to the study of transportation systems, telecommunications, energy, water utilities, and healthcare services; the Observatory on Institutional Investors’ Investment Policies, focused on asset allocation processes and portfolio management strategies of institutional investors; and the Observatory on Financial Innovation for Industrial Supply Chains, aimed at analyzing financial dynamics and payment systems along Italian manufacturing supply chains.

The Center’s activities also include research on banking supervision and regulatory compliance through the Observatory on Banking Sanctions, as well as studies on financial innovation applied to public administration through the Italian Observatory on Financial Innovation for Public Administration Efficiency. Additional empirical research is carried out within the Observatory on the Tobacco Market, dedicated to the analysis of structural transformations in the sector and the development of related forecasting models.

The continuity of relationships with institutions, corporations, financial intermediaries, and public and private stakeholders represents a fundamental component of the Research Center’s scientific activity. Such interaction enables the Center to combine frontier academic research with empirical applications, strengthening the scientific and operational relevance of its research output. In parallel, the Research Center supports the training and professional development of young scholars through research fellowships, interdisciplinary collaborations, and scientific projects developed within an international environment oriented toward advanced quantitative research.