This book presents an overview of corporate governance and risk management, analyzing their interdependence and particularly their relevance in banking. It discusses current trends in corporate governance, such as stakeholder management, financial performance and the cost of equity, compensation schemes, board structures and shareholder activism. Further, it reviews some of the most important regulatory changes introduced since the latest financial crisis and highlights their impact on the annual reports of the banks under analysis. Lastly, the book assesses and compares major banks in Brazil and Germany with special emphasis on the aspects mentioned above, revealing surprising similarities between the banking systems of these otherwise disparate countries. 

Robert C. Gericke, PhD, LL.M., born in 1975, graduated at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, with a degree in law and economics ('Wirtschaftsjurist'), obtained his master in law at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and was awarded with a PhD in economics by UAL, Lisbon, Portugal. Robert has lived in several countries, including Brazil, Portugal, and Spain. He has over 15 years of professional experience in banking and consulting, particularly in international management consulting and real estate finance, with a focus on compliance, corporate governance, and risk management.