Business School MBA student wins WCIB prize
Natalia Lopez scoops annual award for international banking dissertation
Executive MBA student Natalia Lopez has been awarded the Business School’s annual prize from the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB) for her dissertation, titled ‘Covid 19 & European Banking Consolidation – How the pandemic could drive the next wave of M&A in the EU banking sector’.
Each year, the Business School recognises the best dissertation or extended piece of written work as assessed by academics, relating to international banking or another finance-related topic.
Natalia, whose paper discusses how M&A could help relieve the competitive pressures affecting the European banking sector, said she was delighted to receive the award.
“I am over the moon to be awarded this prize, which caps off two years of hard work,” Natalia said.
“My paper demonstrates how the pandemic has intensified a need for a more integrated market.
“Working with people from different professional backgrounds during my MBA has expanded my view of the business world beyond finance, which has allowed me to see things through economic, political, regulatory and behavioural lenses more clearly.
“I had a late start, so I think winning this prize is a great message of encouragement to anyone struggling to achieve goals earlier on in life due to factors outside of their control.”
Professor Stephen Thomas, Associate Dean for MBA Programmes at the Business School (formerly Cass) said Natalia’s award was thoroughly deserved.
“Natalia brings both practical insights and academic excellence to her work,” Professor Thomas said.
“Despite extraordinary circumstances of Covid restrictions, she has still managed to secure high quality interviews with senior bankers and used these to very good effect to shed light on likely M&A developments in the sector.
“The work is very well presented and constructed, and is a timely, polished piece of work in a period of multiple challenges facing the European economy and banking universe.”
Read about the Executive MBA at the Business School (formerly Cass).
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