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Faculty Profiles

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Jennifer Bethel

  • Professor
Academic Division: Finance

Bio

Jennifer Bethel is a Professor of Finance at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Dr. Bethel has presented her research at numerous professional conferences, and has published her work in both in academic and practitioner journals, including the Journal of Finance, Financial Management Journal, the Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Organization Science, and the Strategic Management Journal. She has consulted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and numerous private companies.

Dr. Bethel received a M.A. in economics and a Ph.D. in business from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a B.B.A. from the University of Texas. Previously, she was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard's School of Business Administration, on the faculty of New York University, and a management consultant at Temple, Barker, & Sloane (currently Mercer Management Consulting) in Boston. Dr. Bethel joined Babson College in 1994 and was Chair of the Finance Division from 2000-2003. She served as the Chief Economist for the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1996 to 1999 and as a Financial Economist/Expert Consultant in the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis from 2012-2016.

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • MA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • BBA, University of Texas, Austin

Academic Interest / Expertise

Capital Markets; Corporate Finance; Financial Economics; Securities Law and Finance

Awards & Honors

  • 2015 — "Chair's Award for Excellence", U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Chair Mary Jo White
  • 2014 — “Director’s Award”, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Division of Economics and Risk Analysis
  • 2003 — "Who’s Who in Business Higher Education”, Who's Who
  • 2003 — "Women in the History of the SEC", U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
  • 1998 — "Capital Markets Award", U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Chairman Arthur Levitt
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Publications

Journal Articles

  • Bethel, J.E., Krigman, L.A. (2010). Managing the Costs of Issuing Common Equity: The Role of Registration Choice. Quarterly Journal of Finance and Accounting. Vol: 47, Issue: 4, Page: 57-85.
  • Bethel, J.E., Hu, G., Wang, Q. (2009). The Market for Shareholder-Voting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting. Journal of Corporate Finance. Vol: 15, Page: 129-145. Elsevier B.V..
  • Bethel, J.E., Krigman, L.A. (2009). Managing the Costs of Issuing Common Equity: The Role of Registration Choice . Quarterly Journal of Finance and Accounting. Vol: 47, Issue: 4, Page: 55-85.
  • Bethel, J.E. (2007). Recent Changes in Disclosure Regulation: Description and Evidence. Journal of Corporate Finance. Vol: 13, Page: 335-342. Elsevier B.V..
  • Bethel, J.E., Gillan, S. (2004). Corporate Voting’s Dimpled Chad? The Broker Vote and Beyond. Corporate Governance Bulletin. Vol: 22, Issue: 1, Page: 10-12.
  • Bethel, J.E., Gillan, S. (2002). The Impact of the Institutional and Regulatory Environment on Shareholder Voting. Financial Management Journal. Vol: 31, Issue: 429-54.
  • Bethel, J.E., Liebeskind, J., Opler, T. (1998). Block Share Purchases and Corporate Performance. Journal of Finance. Vol: 53, Issue: 2, Page: 605–634.
  • Bethel, J.E., Liebeskind, J. (1998). Diversification and the Legal Organization of the Firm. Organization Science. Vol: 9, Issue: 1, Page: 49–67.
  • Bethel, J.E., Sirri, E.R. (1998). Express Lane or Tollbooth in the Desert? The SEC’s Framework for Security Issuance. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance. Vol: 11, Issue: 1, Page: 25–38.
  • Bethel, J.E., Asquith, D. (1995). The Use of Heuristics in Capital Budgeting: The Case of Ranking Projects by IRR. Engineering Economist. Vol: 40, Issue: 3, Page: 287–294.
  • Bethel, J.E., Liebeskind, J. (1993). The Effects of Ownership Structure on Corporate Restructuring. Vol: 14, Page: 15–31. Strategic Management Journal.

Cases and Teaching Notes

  • Bethel, J.E., Hevert, K.T. (2021). Managing Your Credit Report and Score. The Case Centre.
  • Bethel, J.E., Hevert, K.T. (2021). Understanding Your Credit Report and Score. The Case Centre. link
  • Bethel, J.E., Hevert, K.T. (2021). Understanding Credit Cards. The Case Centre. link

Book Chapters

  • Bethel, J.E., Sirri, E.R. (2015). Securities Regulation During and After the 2008 Financial Crisis: The New International Financial System: Analyzing the Cumulative Impact of Regulatory Reform. Vol: 48. World Scientific Studies in International Economics. link
  • Bethel, J.E., Hevert, K.T., Krigman, L.A. (2014). Creating and Conserving Shareholder Wealth in Emerging Markets: Recent Evidence: Progress in Economics Research. Vol: 28, Page: 1-18. Nova Science Publishers, Inc..
  • Bethel, J.E., Sirri, E.R. (2010). The Importance of Financial Policy Makers Making Informed Decisions: Current Perspectives on Modern Equity Markets. Page: 91 - 104. Knight Capital Group, Inc. (CLS & Associates). link
  • Bethel, J.E., Ferrill, A., Hu, G. (2009). Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis. Brookings Institution Press.
  • Bethel, J.E., Ferrell, A. (2007). Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products: New Financial Instruments and Institutions. Brookings Institution Press. link

Reports

  • Bethel, J.E. (2014). Memorandum from DERA regarding Demand and Supply of Safe Assets in the Economy. U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. link
  • Bethel, J.E., Hiltgen, D. (2014). Memorandum from DERA Regarding Government Money Market Fund Exposure to Non-Government Securities. U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. link
  • Bethel, J.E., Hiltgen, D. (2014). Memorandum from DERA regarding Municipal Money Market Fund Exposure to Parents of Guarantors. U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. link
  • Bethel, J.E., et al., . (2012). Response to Questions Posed by Commissioners Aguilar, Paredes, and Gallagher. U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other

  • Bethel, J.E. (in press). Memo on OTC Fraud .
  • Bethel, J.E., et al., . (in press). Memo on Staff Consultation Paper No. 2015-01: The Auditor's Use of the Work of Specialists: Staff Consultation Paper No. 2015-01: The Auditor's Use of the Work of Specialists. link
  • Bethel, J.E., et al., . (2014). Money Market Fund Reform; Amendments to Form PF, Final Federal Rule: Federal Register. Vol: 79, Issue: 157. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. link
  • Bethel, J.E., et al., . (2013). Crowdfunding, Release Nos. 33-9470; 34-70741; File No. S7-09-13: Federal Register. Vol: 78, Issue: 214. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration.
  • Bethel, J.E., et al., . (2013). Money Market Fund Reform; Amendments to Form PF, Proposed Federal Rule: Federal Register. Vol: 78, Issue: 118. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration.

Presentations

  • Elevating Student Financial Knowledge through Case-Based Workshops Bethel, J. Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA), Zoom (2021)
  • BFLP College Financial Literacy Symposium Bethel, J. National, Zoom (2021)
  • The Babson Financial Literacy Project: Financial Knowledge for a Brighter Future Bethel, J. Kahn, R. State Conference, Zoom (2020)
  • Securities Regulation During and After the 2008 Financial Crisis Bethel, J. Sirri, E. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Seventeenth Annual International Banking Conference, Chicago, IL (2014)
  • Securities Regulation During and After the 2008 Financial Crisis Bethel, J. Sirri, E. Seminar, Kingston, RI (2014)
  • Real Estate Financing in Today's Tumultuous Market Harris, B. Bethel, J. Babson Alumni Association, (2010)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Federalist Society, Washington, DC (2009)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA (2009)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Duff & Phelps Subprime Summit , New York, NY (2008)
  • The Market for ShareholderVoting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting Bethel, J. Hu, G. Wang, Q. Financial Management Association, Grapevine, TX (2008)
  • Securities Regulation During and After the 2008 Financial Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Prudent Lending Restored: Securitization After the 2007 Mortgage Securities Meltdown , Washington, DC (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA (2008)
  • Economic and Legal Issues Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Seminar on Subprime Litigation, Boston, MA (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Cornerstone Research, New York, NY (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Morgan Stanley Asset Management , New York, NY (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. CRA International , Boston, MA (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Hu, G. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, Boston, MA (2008)
  • The Market for ShareholderVoting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting Bethel, J. Hu, G. Wang, Q. Corporate Control, Mergers and Acquisitions, Atlanta, GE (2008)
  • Managing the Costs of Issuing Common Equity: The Role of Registration Choice Bethel, J. Krigman, L. Midwest Finance Association Meetings, San Antonio, TX (2008)
  • Legal and Economic Issues in Litigation Arising from the 2007-2008 Credit Crisis Hu, G. Bethel, J. Ferrell, A. Brookings-Tokyo Club-Wharton Conference, Prudent Lending Restored: Securitization After the 2007 Mortgage Securities Meltdown, Washington DC (2008)
  • The Market for Shareholder-Voting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting Hu, G. Bethel, J. Wang, . Conference and Special Issue of the Journal of Corporate Finance on Corporate Control, Mergers and Acquisitions, Atlanta, GA (2008)
  • The Market for Shareholder-Voting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting Hu, G. Bethel, J. Wang, Q. Financial Management Association (FMA) Meeting, Dallas (2008)
  • Institutional Investor Activism: Evidence from Voting and Daily Trading Around Bethel, J. Hu, G. Wang, Q. Shareholders and Corporate Governance Research Agenda and, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England (2007)
  • Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products Bethel, J. Ferrill, A. Boston Securities Analysis Society Monthly Meeting, Boston, MA (2007)
  • Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products Bethel, J. Ferrill, A. Fixed Income Conference, New York, NY (2007)
  • The Market for Shareholder-Voting Rights Around Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from Institutional Daily Trading and Voting Hu, G. Bethel, J. Wang, Q. Shareholder and Corporate Governance Conference, Undisclosed (2007)
  • Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products Bethel, J. Ferrill, A. , . Structured Products Association Annual Meeting, New York, NY (2007)
  • Structured Products Bethel, J. Training Series, Washington, DC (2007)
  • Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products Bethel, J. Ferrill, A. New Financial Instruments and Institutions: Opportunities and Policy Challenges, Washington, DC (2006)
  • Recent Changes in Disclosure Regulation: Description and Evidence Bethel, J. Boundaries of SEC Regulation Conference , Claremont, CA (2006)
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