Janine Schenk, Deutsche Bundesbank

"Good networking opportunities"

Janine Schenk studied law at Frankfurt's Goethe University. She now works in the Banking and Financial Supervision Department, where her main tasks relate to governance. Before she started working at Deutsche Bundesbank in 2014, she gained experience as a lawyer in an international law firm in the field of banking and finance. From 2008 to 2012, she worked at the IMFS as a research assistant to the Endowed Chair of Money, Currency and Central Bank Law while writing her dissertation on the transformation of Germany’s Landesbanken pursuant to requirements under German and European Law.

How did you join the Bundesbank?

Influenced by my work as a research assistant at the IMFS and in light of the financial crisis, it was most exciting for me to understand the developments in both the supervision of financial institutions and the functioning of the financial system. My main interests in this regard were the banking system, banking supervision and reforms launched at the European level. Working at the Bundesbank provides me with the best opportunity to pursue my interests in banking supervision in an exciting, dynamic time.

What are your main tasks at the Bundesbank?

I work in the Banking and Financial Supervision Department. My main tasks relate to governance as I am a member of the Subgroup on Governance and Remuneration (SGGR) at the European Banking Authority (EBA). This primarily means accompanying the legal transformation process of European regulations and directives with focus on issues pertaining to governance and, in particular, drafting guidelines required pursuant to Capital Requirements Directive IV (CRD IV). I also review legal questions and prepare comments on governance-related topics.

How is this job related to your research at the IMFS?

Working as a research assistant at the IMFS gave me an overview of the banking system and enabled me to monitor the development of the restructuring – and increasing Europeanization – of banking supervision. This job therefore established the fundamental basis for my knowledge of the banking and financial system from a legal and economic perspective, which proves helpful in properly pinpointing and assessing legal issues. 

How did you benefit from the interdisciplinary work at the IMFS?

I benefited in a variety of ways. The IMFS organizes various types of events, which include conferences, working lunches and distinguished lectures. Participants at these events are renowned legal, economic and financial experts such as scientists, central bankers and supervisors. I was therefore able to learn a lot about different legal and economic views on current issues in the banking and financial sector. Moreover, I particularly benefited from the interdisciplinary seminars held by Professor Remsperger and Professor Siekmann each semester in Eltville. I appreciated the participation of banking supervisors and central bankers, who contributed to lively discussions. Furthermore, I met many research assistants, both legal and economic, who are working at different institutions such as the European Central Bank (ECB), the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the Deutsche Bundesbank. Hence, the IMFS also provided good networking opportunities.

Looking back, what do you appreciate most regarding your doctorate at the IMFS?

I appreciated having had the opportunity to spend a lot of time monitoring and analyzing current developments in the banking sector from a legal perspective. It was also a great pleasure for me to contribute to and participate in the interdisciplinary seminars held in Eltville, which provided an enriching platform for lively discussions on current issues.