Sky Blog
The US is the world’s largest private credit market, tripling in size since 2010 (estimated to be around US$1.5 trillion today) and currently more than twice the size of Europe’s market (approximately US$500 billion-US$1 trillion), according to Barings’ report, Direct …
In recent years, institutional investors have been at the center of the global effort to advance an economic transition toward sustainability. Asset managers are increasingly expected to use their financial influence to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. However,
The rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain is placing significant pressure on the established framework of corporate law. This pressure raises fundamental questions about whether these innovations require minor regulatory updates or warrant a re-examination …
For decades, European policymakers have aspired to create a single capital market capable of financing innovation on a scale comparable to that of the United States. Yet, as reiterated by the recent Letta and Draghi Reports, that ambition remains …
There is a robust debate among policymakers on whether to impose restrictions on the incentive pay of bankers. Proponents of such restrictions point to the great financial crisis and argue that enormous compensation packages give top executives and traders at …
Global capital markets are undergoing profound transformation. Over the past decade, there has been a marked decline in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in most advanced economies, including those with highly developed capital markets such as the United Kingdom and the …
The debate over corporate purpose – whether companies should serve shareholders exclusively or balance the interests of a broader set of stakeholders – has become one of the defining issues in corporate governance. With climate change and sustainability shaping regulatory …
The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) represents one of the European Union’s most ambitious attempts to hold businesses accountable for their global impact. The directive establishes a corporate due diligence duty with core elements focused on identifying and addressing …
In May 2024, a company in California suddenly made headlines across the financial press. Synapse Financial Technologies, once hailed as a pioneer in the next wave of financial innovation, filed for bankruptcy. The company had promised to revolutionize banking …
The growing body of governance literature offers no shortage of views on what boards ought to concern themselves with beyond the routine fare of overseeing management and discussing strategy and finances. Depending on the perspective of the author, topics range …
The successful takeover bid by Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) for Mediobanca is a landmark event in Italian corporate history. While offering lessons for corporate governance in Delaware and the U.S. generally, it sheds new light on an old …
For more than a decade, the European Union has styled itself as the custodian of digital civilization. If Silicon Valley built the engines, and Shenzhen perfected the replication, Brussels has written the rulebook. After the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
As technology’s importance to companies grows, so does the need for what we call “digital governance:” leveraging technology within governance structures and managing the risks it presents. In a recent paper, we examine how China and India are addressing …
Telecommuting technologies have enabled widespread remote work, but it has also blurred the line between work and personal life. Constant connectivity has fostered an “always-on” culture, raising concerns that employees are increasingly vulnerable to overwork, burnout, and declining mental health. …
On June 9, 2025, Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued “Guidelines for Investigations and Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA),” as contemplated by President Trump’s February 10, 2025 executive order, which, among other things, paused enforcement of …
While climate change poses clear threats to corporate financial health, from disrupted supply chains to higher insurance costs, our new research shows that climate risks don’t always lead to lower credit ratings. In fact, we find, firms that increase transparency …
In a new paper, I examine the potential of sunset clauses – legal provisions that automatically phase out enhanced voting rights over time or upon certain events – to mitigate the imbalances and entrenchment risks associated with tenure-based voting structures, …
In the modern private capital markets, the traditional distinctions between equity and debt have become increasingly blurred and inadequate to capture the complexity of modern investment instruments. Sophisticated market participants – particularly private credit funds – have begun to craft …
In a recent article, professors Jill Fisch and Jeff Schwartz argue that the beneficiary primacy model – requiring pension fund trustees to maximize economic value solely for beneficiaries – fundamentally misunderstands the nature of public pension funds. They contend …
Climate change has become a central topic of discussion among banking regulators and policymakers. While many policymakers focus primarily on addressing the environmental externalities associated with carbon emissions, banking regulators confront a unique set of challenges that the current regulatory …