The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently hosted its inaugural Innovations in Financial Intermediation Symposium (IFIS), a significant event that brought together leading researchers in the field of financial intermediation. The conference, which took place in June 2024, focused on the emerging field of cryptocurrency and its impact on financial intermediation.
According to Jiakai Chen, the First Hawaiian Bank Distinguished Associate Professor of Banking, the idea for the symposium originated during his visit to the New York Fed in the spring semester. The response from researchers within the banking community was overwhelmingly positive, leading to the successful organization of the event. The symposium featured presentations from some of the most active researchers in financial intermediation and blockchain, providing attendees with valuable insights and opportunities for networking.
One of the highlights of the symposium was the quality of the presentations, which allowed for in-depth discussions on various topics related to financial intermediation. Qianqiu Liu, the Finance Department chair and distinguished professor of finance, emphasized the intimate setting of the event, which facilitated meaningful interactions among participants.
Dean Vance Roley of the Shidler College of Business commended the success of the inaugural IFIS, noting the productive discussions and high level of engagement among researchers. The symposium, held on June 27, was strategically timed to coincide with the Western Finance Association Conference, further enhancing its impact and reach within the academic finance community.
The symposium attracted 21 participants from prestigious institutions around the world, including the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley; Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Copenhagen Business School; Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Columbia University; Harvard University; and the University of Chicago. This diverse representation added depth and perspective to the discussions held during the event.
The IFIS was sponsored and co-hosted by the Shidler College of Business and Circle Internet Financial, a company known for managing USDC, the second-largest stablecoin globally. The collaboration between academia and industry further enriched the symposium, providing attendees with valuable insights into the practical applications of financial intermediation and cryptocurrency.
For more information on the inaugural Innovations in Financial Intermediation Symposium and its impact, interested readers can visit the Shidler College website for the full story.
