The speed at which the current financial crisis unfolded, as well as its financial and global impact heightens the need for a broader, interdisciplinary perspective to addressing financial policy and corporate governance issues. The mission of our new center is to develop thought leadership in financial policy that impacts corporate performance, capital allocation and the stability of the global financial system. The Center is well-suited to take a leadership role in this regard given its globally recognized faculty; its extensive relationships with key policymakers, practitioners, and academics; and its proximity to Washington, D.C.

The Smith School is conveniently located less than 10 miles from the heart of D.C., housed in the University of Maryland’s Van Munching Hall. Our satellite location in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is a prime spot to hold events and for meetings with policy-makers. The Smith School has become one of the world’s leading business schools and its strengths in both academics and research are reflected in its rankings and other accolades.

BusinessWeek ranks Smith’s faculty research, or “intellectual capital,” as third best in the U.S. Working closely with policy makers, Fortune 500 business leaders, leading researchers at other universities and schools within the University of Maryland community, Smith is committed to creating new management knowledge and identifying leading business practices.

Our hope is for government financial regulatory agencies, congressional staffers, industry associations, businesses, and the media to look to the Center for Financial Policy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business as a partner and champion of best practices in the financial arena.