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Policy issues associated with the regulation of the unlisted debenture market have been highlighted in recent times with the collapse of a number of regionally based mortgage companies. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the decline and demise of the unlisted debenture market between 2007-2013 with particular reference to the effectiveness of the regulatory regime in stabilising the industry and protecting investors’ interests.

A database was constructed which reflected the total population of unlisted mortgage companies in the financial sector. A snapshot approach was used to assess the extent to which these companies complied with regulatory provisions.

Findings suggest the regulatory process allowed these companies to continue operating despite not complying with the relevant Australian Securities and Investments Commission benchmarks. In the light of the current inquiry into the financial system, the research suggests that a re-evaluation of the regulatory approach is timely.

This research is restricted to a study of one category of debenture issuers (issuers of mortgage finance). It is based on reports required by regulatory authorities. It does not provide an analysis of the motivations of investors in these companies.

This research has implications for the implementation of regulatory change in respect to oversight of shadow banking activities. It suggested that a passive approach to regulation is not sufficient to ensure that the interests of investors are fully protected.

No prior research has systematically examined the unlisted mortgage and analysed the borrowing and lending activities of companies that have failed and those that have survived.

The case presents a financing dilemma at a fast growing, Brazilian construction company. The growing demand for residential and commercial real estate in Brazil, coupled with the capital intensive nature of the industry generates the need for a considerable external financing. The students are invited to take the perspective of the financial manager and evaluate three financing alternatives – an issue of debentures, a seasoned equity offering, and a capital-raising ADR offering. In their evaluation and final recommendation students need to consider the implications of each of the financing alternatives on firm value, equity risk, cost of capital, financial leverage, issuance costs, and ownership structure. The case also presents a valuable opportunity to discuss the interdependence between the institutional development of an economy and the development of its capital markets.

Although the focus of this issue is on investment in British industry and hence we are particularly concerned with debt and shares, the transactions and holdings in these cannot be separated from the range of other financial claims, including property, that are available to investors. In consequence this article focuses on an overview of the financial system including in Section 2 a presentation of the flow of funds matrix of the financial claims that make up the system. We also examine more closely the role of the financial institutions that are part of the system by utilising the sources and uses statements for three sectors, non‐bank financial institutions, personal sector and industrial and commercial companies. Then we provide, in Section 3, a discussion of the various financial claims investors can hold. In Section 4 we give a portrayal of the portfolio disposition of each of the major types of financial institution involved in the market for company securities specifically insurance companies (life and general), pension funds, unit and investment trusts, and in Section 4 a market study is performed for ordinary shares, debentures and preference shares for holdings, net acquisitions and purchases/sales. A review of some of the empirical evidence on the financial institutions is presented in Section 5 and Section 6 is by way of a conclusion. The data series extend in the main from 1966 to 1981, though at the time of writing, some 1981 data are still unavailable. In addition, the point needs to be made that the samples have been constantly revised so that care needs to be exercised in the use of the data.

We provide evidence of stock market performance prior to announcements of the assuance or retirement of securities which is consistent with Myers and Majluf [1984] and Miller and Rock [1985]. Stocks of firms issuing seasoned common equity are significantly over‐valued in the market prior to the issue, but in the year following, decline to their original level. Stocks of firms issuing convertible debt also are over‐valued, but to a lesser degree than that of firms issuing seasoned equity. Stock of firms issuing straight debt appears to be neither over‐valued nor undervalued. The after‐market firm performance, measured by earnings, cash flows or dividends, is consistent with Miller and Rock. We document a decline in after‐market performance for firms issuing convertible or straight debt and an improvement for those repurchasng shares. However, contrary to predictions, we find that firms issuing seasoned equity do not have lower earnings or cash flows in the following year, and increase their rate of dividend payment as well. We document evidence indicating that firms issue equity to maintain or increase dividends. The market anticipates the dividend increase and shows no response to announcements of dividend changes following an equity issue. However, we are unable to explain why the market reacts in such a negative manner to equity issues, when the after‐market performance of the firm is as expected.

The purpose of this paper is to see if a difference exists between the impact of the subprime crisis on countries with more transparency and more regulated finance than on others. A further objective is to explain the success of the Brazilian case in avoiding the financial crisis and to show empirical evidence for the presence of market discipline.

The paper offers a regulation and transparency index (RTI) based on 37 countries. Considering RTI and stock market index of developed economies, BRICs economies, and developing economies, cross‐country estimations are made. Furthermore, the analysis for market discipline in the Brazilian case is based on GMM panels, taking into account market discipline through subordinated debt holders (debentures).

The results indicate that a higher degree of regulation and transparency is related to a higher return and a lower volatility in the stock market during the subprime crisis. Moreover, one of the main reasons for the apparent success of the Brazilian case in facing the crisis is the combination of a strong regulation of the financial system and the presence of market discipline.

Transparency of information by the banking sector is relevant for the regulation of the financial system.

The paper presents new insights for the literature on financial regulation and transparency of information in the search for a framework capable of avoiding financial crisis.

Nowadays the provision of a pension is regarded as commonplace; it is felt incumbent upon society to provide an income for those it considers ‘too old’ to be further gainfully employed. Yet only a century ago — a mere three generations — the provision of a pension was regarded as a luxury only available for a lucky few. Indeed, this change in social attitude has been far more noticeable in the post‐1945 period than before. Nonetheless, the task of this paper is not to consider the causes of such social change, but rather the effects.

Summary With the advent of very large development schemes, traditional forms of funding have proved insufficient in meeting the massive cost of such developments. This paper looks at the various forms of funding currently available to the developer and discusses the merits and shortcomings of traditional financing techniques, comparing them with more innovative techniques which are currently emerging. No longer can property finance be viewed in isolation; it now forms an integral part of the much wider field of business and corporate finance.

Budget Rent A Car Ltd (Budget) borrowed money from a consortium of financiers and bankers. The advance was secured by a debenture trust deed dated 5th May, 1987, entered into between Budget, Budget Lease Management (Car Sales) Ltd and the Appellant, New Zealand Guardian Trust Co Ltd (the Trust Company). The holders of the debenture were the lenders involved in the consortium. The total sum advanced was £17.25m.

Many companies have turned to high‐yield issues in their search for capital. These securities have evolved beyond simple debt and, at times, can embrace the most favorable features of equity as well.

An ‘investor’ is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as ‘one who invests money’. However, this traditional definition does not include the other stakeholders in the modern corporation: persons such as employees, members of the pension fund, suppliers, the assured, depositors and the large numbers of people whose savings are invested by institutional investors.