Researchers, academics and other professionals in field of banking and finances from around the world gathered in Brno during 15th to 17th December for the World Finance & Banking Symposium 2025, hosted by the Faculty of Business and Economics at Mendel University in Brno. Over three days, the event offered space for discussion on current challenges in finance, banking, and financial markets, and attracted participants from Europe, North America, and Asia.
“Thanks to this event, Brno is putting itself on the map of leading financial cities, because after global financial capitals such as Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Shanghai, and Dubai, this prestigious global conference is moving to the Czech Republic for the first time ever, and Brno is hosting it,” says dean of the Faculty of business and economics, MENDELU, Svatopluk Kapounek.
The symposium combined academic research sessions with keynote lectures, PhD tutorials, and a panel discussion on the growing role of artificial intelligence in academic review and publication. In addition to the formal program, participants took part in social and networking events, city walks, and informal meetings designed to encourage exchange beyond the conference rooms.
One of the keynote speakers, professor Stefan Ruenzi from the University of Mannheim, focused in his lecture on the female role models in competitive environments. His presentation discussed how exposure to successful women can influence career decisions and willingness to compete, particularly among high-performing individuals. The topic resonated strongly with the audience and sparked discussion during the sessions and informal networking that followed.
“The conference organizers did a great job in setting up a great social and academic program. The local organizing committee made me always feel welcome, and I was very positively surprised at how professional everything was organized and how smoothly the conference went. I greatly enjoyed the social program and the networking events,” says one of the keynote speakers, professor Stefan Ruenzi.
The second keynote, Karin S. Thorburn from the Norwegian School of Economics, addressed corporate bond contracts, specifically bond covenants and the defeasance option, which allows firms to remove covenant restrictions after issuance. The presentation highlighted how contractual design affects firms’ financial flexibility and how investors price different bond features.
By combining academic debate with informal exchange, the World Finance & Banking Symposium 2025 demonstrated the value of bringing the international finance community together in person. For Mendel University in Brno, hosting the symposium confirmed its position as a venue for international dialogue on finance and banking and as a place where research discussions extend beyond the lecture hall.
