On November 22, The University of St.Gallen (HSG) officially inaugurated its new research hub, the Center for Financial Services Innovation (FSI-HSG), further details of which can be found in a press release issued by HSG. At the opening ceremony, the first four professors each presented their respective areas of expertise. Tobias Trütsch has been appointed to head up the FSI-HSG.
The new Center for Financial Services Innovation was set up in strategic cooperation with Credit Suisse. The major Zurich-based bank supported the center by providing initial funding and facilitated the establishment of several professorships. However, as Bernhard Ehrenzeller, HSG President, pointed out in his speech, excerpts of which are quoted in the press release, the university is “not opening a Credit Suisse research center at HSG today, but an HSG Center for Financial Services Innovation”.
The FSI-HSG will “provide valuable impetus for academic research on issues that are relevant to Credit Suisse”, explained André Helfenstein in his presentation during the event. Through the partnership with HSG, the bank wants to make “a contribution to further strengthening Switzerland as an educational and business location”, the CEO of Credit Suisse (Switzerland) AG concluded.
At the inauguration, the four assistant professors and associated professors who have already been appointed presented their respective areas of expertise. Nina Reiser, the only female professor appointed to date, will examine trends in financial market law, especially with regard to the effects of new technologies. Julian Kölbel’s work will focus on the effects of sustainable investments on the real economy.
