Submissions

Author Guidelines

Submission Guidelines – Banking and Finance Review

Scope and Editorial Process

The editor will evaluate all submitted manuscripts to determine whether they meet the journal’s aims and scope. Manuscripts deemed appropriate will undergo double-blind peer review. The editor’s final decision (acceptance, revision, or rejection) will be based on the reviewers’ recommendations and the paper’s overall contribution and quality.

While BFR will continue to waive all submission fees and maintain its commitment to open access, the author(s) of any accepted manuscript must hold an active Regular Membership in MUSABE to support the journal’s sustainability. The annual Regular Membership in MUSABE costs $25

MUSABE Regular Membership allows members to publish more than one paper during the membership fiscal year (June through July) at no additional cost.  View the MUSABE Regular Membership benefits by clicking on the Join Us button on the MUSABE menu above.

Author Responsibilities

• All authors listed on the submission must have approved the manuscript and consented to be identified as authors.
• Authors are responsible for obtaining any required permissions to use third-party materials (e.g., datasets, images, or documents).
• The manuscript must not be under consideration elsewhere and must not infringe on any existing copyright, proprietary rights, or privacy standards.
• By submitting, authors warrant that the work is original and indemnify Banking and Finance Review against any legal claims related to authorship or content.

Banking and Finance Review (BFR) – Paper Format Guidelines

1. Abstract

• The abstract should concisely describe the topic, scope, principal findings, and conclusions.
• Focus on the contribution and results, not methodology or data details.
• Length: 100–250 words.
• Author names and affiliations must be listed.
• Papers with more than three authors will not be accepted.

2. Introduction

• State the research question or problem.
• Explain why it matters (literature gap + real-world relevance).
• Briefly summarize methods and findings.

3. Literature Review (and Hypotheses Development, if applicable)

• Provide a structured review of relevant prior research.
• Identify gaps, debates, and unresolved issues in the literature.
• Position your study’s contribution.
• Present hypotheses (if applicable) with clear theoretical grounding.

4. Data

• Describe data sources (databases, sample selection, period covered).
• Define key variables (dependent, independent, control).
• Report summary statistics.

5. Empirical Results

• Present empirical models and justify the specifications.
• Report main regression/empirical findings with clear interpretation.
• Discuss results in relation to hypotheses and existing literature.

6. Conclusion

• Summarize the key findings clearly.
• Highlight the contribution to theory, literature, and practice.

Submission Format Requirements

• File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
• Paper Size: 8½ x 11 inches (US Letter)
• Margins: 1" top/bottom, 1.25" left/right
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Line Spacing: Single-spaced
• Page Numbers: Include on all pages
• Maximum Length: 30 pages total (including abstract, figures, tables, appendices, and references)
• Figures and Tables: Must be embedded within the body of the text at appropriate locations—not at the end
• Color: All figures, charts, and tables must be black and white
• Editability: All figures, charts, and tables must be fully editable in Microsoft Word (i.e., not pasted as images)

Abstract and Classification

• Abstract Length: 100–250 words
• Placement: Precede the main text
• JEL Codes: Include up to five Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classification codes directly below the abstract

Referencing Style

References should appear alphabetically at the end of the manuscript in the following formats:

• Fu, X.Q., 2004. Efficiency and competition in China’s banking sector. PhD Thesis, Cass Business School, City University, London, UK.
• Lloyd-Williams, D.M., Molyneux, P., & Thornton, J., 1991. Market structure and performance in Spanish banking. Journal of Banking and Finance, 18, 433–443.
• Kim, M., & Ritter, J.R., 1999. Valuing IPOs. Journal of Financial Economics, 53, 409–437.

Equations and Figures

• Equations: Use Arabic numerals in parentheses (e.g., (1), (2)), right-aligned
• Tables: Numbered using Arabic numerals (e.g., Table 1, Table 2)
• Figures: Numbered using Roman numerals (e.g., Figure I, Figure II)

Footnotes

• Use footnotes only for explanatory content, not for citations
• Footnote numbers: 8-point superscript
• Footnote text: Placed at the bottom of the page, not at the end of the manuscript

Blind Review Compliance

To preserve the integrity of the double-blind review process, authors must submit two separate files:

1. Blinded Manuscript (for peer review):
• Remove all author names, affiliations, and acknowledgments from the manuscript, including the abstract.
• Delete author-identifying information from document metadata.
• This file will be shared with reviewers.
2. Title Page (for editorial use only):
   • The manuscript title
   • Full author names
   • Institutional affiliations
   • Contact information for the corresponding author
• Submit a separate one-page document that includes:

This title page will be used only by the editorial team and will not be shared with reviewers.

Editorial Policy

Submissions that do not meet the journal’s formatting or quality expectations may be desk rejected. To improve the likelihood of review and acceptance:

• Ensure the study design, contribution, and argumentation are clear and well-structured
• Provide a concise and informative title
• Write an abstract that clearly conveys the significance of the work on its own