Alexander Lehmann

Scholars

Alexander Lehmann

Non-resident fellow

Expertise: EU banking and capital markets union, innovation and sustainable finance, and emerging markets

Alexander Lehmann, a German citizen, joined Bruegel in 2016 and is now a non-resident fellow. His work at Bruegel focuses on EU banking sectors and how private debt and non-performing loans can be addressed in the aftermath of recessions. Work on EU capital market development now also comprises the EU sustainable finance agenda. Currently he is also a lecturer at the Frankfurt School of Finance, and an adviser to a number of central banks and governments in eastern Europe.

Until 2016 Alex was the Lead Economist with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) where he headed the strategy and economics unit for central Europe and Baltic countries. From the Bank’s regional office in Warsaw he coordinated policy dialogue with governments and central banks in the region. Previously, he was an official at the International Monetary Fund, a consultant for the World Trade Organisation and the central Bank of Mexico, and worked in research and teaching positions at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and the London School of Economics. He has published on trade and competition policies, and on financial regulation and banking policies in the Euro area and emerging markets. He holds an MSc in economics from the London School of Economics and a PhD from Oxford University.

Declaration of interests 2019

Declaration of interests 2018

Declaration of interests 2017

Declaration of interests 2016

Contact information

[email protected]

Taking stock of global sustainability reporting

This closed-door event will discuss standards for the measurement and disclosure of climate-related exposures.

Speakers: Carole Crozat, Sonja Gibbs, Piers Haben, Lucile de la Jonquière, Alexander Lehmann, Sara Lovisolo, Fayyaz Muneer and Lee White Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Location: Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels

Common eurobonds should become Europe’s safe asset – but they don’t need to be green

The plan to fund the European Union’s recovery programme via debt issuance has raised hopes that a new type of euro-denominated safe asset could emerge. As a priority, the European Commission needs a strategy to create a liquid and transparent market in EU bonds. For now, funding through EU green bonds would complicate that effort.

By: Alexander Lehmann Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: September 28, 2020

Emerging Europe and the capital markets union

The European Union's capital market union needs a revamp because of Brexit and the deep recession, and to underpin the European Green Deal. In particular, equity capital in the countries of central and eastern Europe is underdeveloped. These countries should take measures to facilitate equity finance, accompanied by reform at EU level.

By: Alexander Lehmann Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: September 17, 2020

Private equity and Europe’s re-capitalisation challenge

Companies are struggling in the coronavirus crisis but solvency support provided by the European Union looks likely to be modest. This will make private equity more important in the recovery, and could create a springboard for longer-term reform to boost private equity.

By: Alexander Lehmann Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: September 17, 2020

Climate finance: an agenda for EU coordination with emerging markets

Addressing the challenge of financing the low-carbon transition will require substantial investment in the European Union and in emerging and developing economies. Sustainable finance frameworks have proliferated in advanced and emerging markets but fragmentation of financial flows due to different classification systems and standards for green financial instruments is a real risk. Ensuring consistency should be a core agenda for the new International Platform on Sustainable Finance.

By: Alexander Lehmann and Mark Plant Topic: Energy & Climate, Global Economics & Governance Date: September 9, 2020

The impact of the crisis on smaller companies and new mechanisms for non-performing loans

The ongoing recession will result in a fresh surge in non-performing loans (NPLs) once payment holidays and moratoria end later this year. NPL investors played a valuable role in tackling the stock of problem loans from the last crisis, but in the aftermath of the current recession more complex financial restructuring will be needed. Governments should facilitate the refinancing of distressed but viable companies, possibly through a special regime for SMEs.

By: Alexander Lehmann and Bruegel Topic: Finance & Financial Regulation Date: July 22, 2020