Research Areas
Fixed Income Securities, Corporate Governance, Credit Risk Models, and Wealth Management.
Academic Degrees
Ph D, University of South Carolina
MS, Texas A&M University
BBA, Kookmin University
Teaching
Fixed Income Securities, Financial Modeling
Service
Faculty Moderator, Ƶ Fixed Income Society
Representative Publications
“The Role of Unique Japanese Corporate Governance Features in Explaining Rating Differences between Global and Japanese Rating Agencies,” co-authored with Y. Arikawa, S. Byoun, S. Han, and M. Pagano, 2024, Forthcoming, Journal of Banking and Finance.
“Is Bloomberg's Credit Default Swaps Model Superior in Predicting Defaults?” Co-authored with K. Leggio and S. Han, 2023, Journal of Fixed Income 33(2).
“Capital Structure Decisions Following Credit Rating Changes: Evidence from Japan,” Co-authored with L. Fairchild and S. Han, 2022, Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 9 (4), pp. 1-12
“Does the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) Certification Matter for Japanese Credit Rating Agencies?” Co-authored with S. Byoun and S. Han, November 2021, Journal of Financial Markets 56, pp. 1-15
“Assessment of Credit Ratings and Credit Risk Models on Public Bonds,” Co-authored with K. Leggio and Y. Yan, Spring 2021, The Journal of Fixed Income 30 (4), pp. 65-80
“The Evolving Nature of Japanese Corporate Governance: Guaranteed Bonds vs. Rated
Bonds,” Co-authored with S. Han and M. Pagano, January 2019, Journal of InterƵal
Financial Markets, Institutions & Money 58, pp. 162-183
“Influence of Global vs. Local Rating Agencies to Japanese Financial Firms,”,” Co-authored
with S. Han and W. Reinhart, 2018, Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
5 (4), pp. 9-20
“Assessment of Credit Risk Models on Rule 144A Corporate Bonds,” Co-authored with
M. Johnson and K. Leggio, Fall 2018, The Journal of Fixed Income 28 (2), pp. 65-83
“Determinants of Yields in Private Colleges’ Revenue Bonds,” Co-authored with M. Johnson,
Summer 2018, The Journal of Wealth Management 21(1), pp. 88-109
“Bond Ratings, Corporate Governance, and Cost of Debt: The Case of Korea,” Co-authored
with S. Han and K. Kang, 2016, Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, pp.
5-15
“Is the Korea-Chile FTA a ‘Stepping Stone’ for Korean Exports to other countries in
South America?” Co-authored with K. Kang, and P. Keys, 2016, The Singapore Economic
Review, 61 (5), pp. 1-17
“The Information Value of Credit Rating Withdrawals,” Co-authored with S. Yi, L. Fairchild,
and Y. Shin, volume 2 (2), 2016, InterƵal Journal of Bonds and Derivatives, pp.
108-132
“Does SEC Rating Agency Certification Matter? The Case of A.M. Best,” Co-authored
with L. Fairchild and Y. Yan, volume 6 (4), 2015, InterƵal Journal of Financial
Research, pp. 10-21
“Are unsolicited ratings biased? Evidence from long-run stock performance,” Co-authored
with S. Byoun, J. Fulkerson, and S. Han, volume 42, 2014, Journal of Banking and Finance,
pp. 326-338
“Insider Trading and Firm-Specific Return Volatility," Co-authored with P. Gangopadhyay
and K. Yook, volume 43 (1), 2014, Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, pp.
1-19
“Unsolicited Versus Solicited: Credit Ratings and Bond Yields,” Co-authored with S.
Han, W. Moore, and S. Yi, volume 43 (3), 2013, Journal of Financial Services Research,
pp. 293-319
“Rating Agency Reputation, the Global Financial Crisis, and the Cost of Debt,” Co-authored
with S. Han and M. Pagano, Volume 41 (4), 2012, Financial Management, pp. 849-884
“Information Content of Unsolicited Credit Ratings: Evidence from Japanese Firms,”
Co-authored with S. Byoun, Volume 42 (1), 2012, Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial
Studies, pp. 59-86
Professional Memberships
Member, Financial Management Association (FMA) InterƵal
Member, Korea America Finance Association (KAFA)
Member, Korea America Economic Association (KAEA)
Awards and Honors
2024-Present, Travelers Faculty Scholar, The Sellinger School of Business and Management, Ƶ University Maryland
2017-2020 Travelers Faculty Scholar, The Sellinger School of Business and Management, Ƶ University Maryland
2009 STAR Award, Outstanding Research, The Sellinger School of Business and Management,
Ƶ University Maryland
2005 Board of Sponsors Research Paper of the Year Award, The Sellinger School of Business
& Management, Ƶ University Maryland
2003 Best Paper Award in the area of Fixed Income Research, FMA (Financial Management
Association) InterƵal