Showing papers by "University of Applied Sciences, Mainz published in 2005"

Investigating Laser Scanner Accuracy

Abstract: In a research project, i3mainz has installed a number of different test targets that allow an investigation in the quality of measurements obtained with laser scanners. The standardized tests, carried out since 2003, also allow a comparison between instruments of different manufacturers for the first time. The test procedures include scans of plane surfaces of different reflectivity in different ranges to obtain information about the noise of the range measurements and about systematic offsets caused by different materials. Several test fields using white spheres as targets have been installed to get information about the accuracy of distances in scanning direction and across. Due to different angular increments and spot sizes, not all 3D scanners have the same abilities to resolve small object details. 3D scanners are also known to produce errors at edges. Both phenomena are tested with appropriate targets. The tests are still available and producers and users are invited to have their instruments examined.

Accounting for Distress in Bank Mergers

Abstract: Most bank merger studies do not control for hidden bailouts, which may lead to biased results. In this study we employ a unique data set of approximately 1000 mergers to analyze the determinants of bank mergers. We use undisclosed information on banks' regulatory intervention history to distinguish between distressed and non-distressed mergers. Among merging banks, we find that improving financial profiles lower the likelihood of distressed mergers more than the likelihood of nondistressed mergers. The likelihood to acquire a bank is also reduced but less than the probability to be acquired. Both distressed and non-distressed mergers have worse CAMEL profiles than non-merging banks. Hence, non-distressed mergers may be motivated by the desire to forestall serious future financial distress and prevent regulatory intervention.

Do banks diversify loan portfolios? A tentative answer based on individual bank loan portfolios

Abstract: Theory of financial intermediation gives contradicting answers to the question whether banks should diversify or focus their loan portfolios. Our aim is to find out which of the two strategies is predominant in the German banking market. To this end we measure diversification for all German banks in the period from 1993 to 2002. As measures we use a broad set of heuristic approaches which capture the deviation of a bank's portfolio from a specified benchmark. Conceivable benchmarks are naive diversification across all industries or, alternatively, the economy's industry structure. With this framework our analysis comprises the widespread measures of concentration, like the Hirschman-Herfindahl index, but also the less known group of distance measures. We find that different statistical measures of diversification may indicate contradicting results. Since distance measures are more appealing from a theoretical point of view, the common practice to rely on measures of concentration only, may be misleading. We further find that, despite these differences, both approaches reveal that the majority of banks significantly increased loan portfolio diversification over the last decade. This tendency is especially driven by the large number of credit cooperatives and savings banks. However, some banks (especially regional banks and subsidiaries of foreign banks) reveal a strategy that seems to be more focused on certain industries.

MOBILE MAPS 2005 interactivity and usability of map-based mobile services

Abstract: The workshop attempts to promote interdisciplinary exchange around the central task of generating mobile maps and map-based services in an "optimal" way for different users and tasks with a particular focus on interactivity and usability.

Basel II and Bank Lending to Emerging Markets: Micro Evidence from German Banks

Abstract: This paper investigates whether the new Basel Accord will induce a change in bank lending to emerging markets using a new loan level data set on German banks' foreign exposure. We test two interlinked hypotheses on the conditions under which the change in the regulatory capital would leave lending flows unaffected. This would be the case if (i) the new regulatory capital requirement remains below the economic capital, and (ii) banks' economic capital to emerging markets already adequately reflects risk. On both accounts the evidence indicates that the new Basel Accord should have a limited effect on lending to emerging markets.

Position Determination of Reference Points in Surveying

Abstract: The localisation of reference points is a daily task in surveying. This chapter describes the results of a project for aiding localisation using a mobile service (Mobile Reference Point Localisation, MRPL). A sound concept based on the combination of context-dependent vector representation and the integration of the user position has been developed and is presented here. The implementation of the service is carried out in Java, using SVG as a structural vector format, and leads to a functional prototype. This prototype is then evaluated within the framework of a user test.