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GenAI increasingly seen by investors as a key tool to research companies, evaluate stocks

A study found that nearly half of retail investors use GenAI to process financial information and inform investment decisions. Investors primarily use GenAI as a research assistant to make sense of complex financial data, with 74% believing it improves processing and 80% planning to continue using it. However, concerns about reliabilit...

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Accounting and Economics·TypeSurvey·DateSep 2, 2026

Pandemic loan fraud pumped housing prices

Research from the University of Texas at Austin found that pandemic loan fraud explained 22.5% of average housing price increases in 2020-2021. This type of fraud hurt individuals who bought houses at inflated prices, and had secondary effects on auto title registrations and other economic indicators.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateMay 28, 2026

Digital finance tools could transform small businesses

A study by the University of East London found that simple digital finance tools like mobile money can improve small businesses' long-term competitiveness. The research showed that firms benefited most when digital finance became an integral part of their daily operations, leading to gains in efficiency, customer service, and flexibility.

SourceUniversity of East London·JournalGlobal Business Review·TypeSurvey·DateMay 21, 2026

Brexit did not just shake Britain - it sent financial shockwaves across Europe

New research from the University of Surrey found that Brexit-related events significantly increased volatility spillovers between European markets. The analysis shows that large financial markets tend to transmit volatility to smaller ones, with France emerging as the most persistent transmitter of volatility across the EU.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalInternational Journal of Finance & Economics·DateMay 7, 2026

Profit alone is a poor measure of success, study shows companies can look efficient while harming the planet

A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2026

Too much transparency can hurt financial markets

Researchers found that less transparency in bond markets can lead to better economic outcomes, as it imposes discipline on players and makes institutions more selective about bonds they buy. This is in contrast to the 2008 global financial crisis, which was triggered by too much public information and looser credit.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Economic Theory·DateFeb 25, 2026

More banks mean higher costs for borrowers

Research from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that increased bank competition can result in higher interest rates for borrowers. With more banks competing for loans, each additional bank is associated with a 7 basis point increase in interest rates. This is due to the 'winner's curse' effect, where lenders become risk-averse ...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Finance·DateFeb 10, 2026

Why top firms paradoxically fire good workers

Top firms paradoxically fire good workers to maintain reputation and boost profits. Workers accept lower pay temporarily to signal elite status, while those who stay earn higher fees directly from clients. The firm's strategic underpayment of better workers increases profits by creating a stable equilibrium.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Economic Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2025

Where financial advisors grew up influences their business ethics

A new study found that financial advisors' childhood environment significantly predicts their core code of ethics, influencing their professional behavior. The research suggests that cultural norms from their hometown play a significant role in shaping their ethical foundations. This finding highlights the importance of considering the...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2025

VCs backed Black founders after BLM – but it didn’t last

A new study by Cornell researchers found that VC interest in Black-founded startups peaked after BLM protests, but funding was short-lived. Black-owned startups raised only about a third as much funding as similar non-Black owned startups, even when comparing similar businesses in the same industry, year and state.

SourceCornell University·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 25, 2025

How does climate policy uncertainty affect energy stock returns?

A recent study by International Studies of Economics found that climate policy uncertainty causes stocks to plummet globally, as investors fear damage to economic activity and carbon costs. The study also revealed that rising oil prices have a negative impact on stock returns, except in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and Kuwait.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Studies of Economics·DateApr 23, 2025

Do commercial ties influence ESG ratings?

A study published in Journal of Accounting Research finds that conflicts of interest from commercial ties lead to biased ESG ratings. ESG ratings for existing clients increased by 17.16% after the acquisitions, highlighting the need for regulation and investor awareness.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Accounting Research·DateNov 6, 2024

New study reveals loophole in digital wallet security—even if rightful cardholder doesn’t use a digital wallet

Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered a vulnerability in digital wallet security that can be exploited by malicious actors even if the rightful cardholder doesn't use a digital wallet. The study found that banks prioritize convenience over security, leaving users' credit cards susceptible to unauthorized transactions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 14, 2024

Resistance to social robots futile

The study investigates relationships between customer equity drivers and trust in social robots, finding that effective customer service creates value equity. Businesses can benefit from social robots by enhancing relationship equity and brand equity, leading to greater trust and positive customer experiences. However, the negative asp...

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 25, 2024

Ambitious workers park the office politics when employer is struggling, study suggests

A study by City University London found that employees in competitive industries modify their behaviors when facing threats or opportunities from rival firms. For example, replacement riders in MotoGP tend to overtake teammates more often when the team is doing well, suggesting they want to secure a permanent contract.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2024

Assessing loan applicants’ credit risk via smartphone activities helps improve financial inclusion and business profitability

A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that using alternative data from smartphones is more effective in improving financial inclusion (23% better) and business profitability (42% better) compared to social media data. This approach can help microloan companies adopt cost-effective solutions and offset potential economic loss.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalMIS Quarterly·DateDec 12, 2023

EU MiFID II unbundling rules damaged research and liquidity in London’s main stock market – new study

New research from the University of Bath shows EU MiFID II reforms reduced research activity and affected liquidity in London's main market, but had a positive impact on the Alternative Investment Market. The reforms required brokers to unbundled research costs, leading to a decline in analyst coverage and market liquidity.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEuropean Financial Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2023

Are retrospective adjustments to sustainability reports helping CEOs score a bonus?

New research found that companies are altering their sustainability reports to improve their environmental and social performance metrics, which are tied to CEO bonuses. Only 15% of revisions were reported as due to error, while 69% were attributed to changes in measurement, suggesting manipulation may be occurring.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Management Accounting Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2023

Why endangered wildlife needs AML law coverage and banks need to share IWT intelligence

The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Money Laundering Control·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 26, 2023

Two out of three corporate frauds go undetected, research finds

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that under typical surveillance, about 3% of US companies exhibit financial misrepresentation. However, during a period of heightened scrutiny following the Enron scandal, this rate tripled to 9%, indicating that at least 10% of companies may be involved in fraud.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2023

Financial coaching for parents in clinic leads to higher attendance at well-child health care visits for their young children

A new study found that financial coaching for parents of infants in a pediatric primary care setting reduced missed well-child care visit rates by half and improved vaccination receipt. The intervention, which connected parents to public benefits and cost-saving services, also increased monthly household income.

Relying on customer surveys alone may mask poor service

A new study found that customers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups rated poorer quality service less negatively than white consumers. This suggests that relying solely on customer surveys to improve service may not be effective in addressing discrimination.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2023