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Article about Ignite in The Times
I am thrilled to share that The Times has featured my new book Ignite in an article exploring my journey from high-achieving economist to author and speaker on personal transformation. The piece highlights my story of navigating stress, self-doubt, and the pressures of perfectionism—and how small, science-backed shifts helped me change not only how I work, but also how I live.
Read the article here
My book Ignite is now published!
What if the key to a happier, more balanced life was already inside your head?
As a professor of financial economics and recognised expert in international finance, Neeltje van Horen excelled in a demanding career – but constant self-doubt and stress left her feeling stuck. Seeking a way out, she turned to neuroscience and psychology and discovered how retraining her brain – one small habit at a time – transformed her life.
In Ignite, van Horen shares her journey and her discoveries. Blending relatable stories, cutting-edge research and practical strategies, she reveals how small, intentional changes can deliver meaningful results. Recognising that everyone’s path is unique, she offers a range of techniques, helping you discover what aligns best with your needs and aspirations.
Whether you’re looking to boost mental performance, break free from negative thought patterns or restore balance in your life, Ignite gives you the tools to unlock your brain’s potential – and change your life.
News (1 new item)
Latest News
Visit the news page to view all articles
Video (1 new item)
Curious about my book Ignite?
In this short video, I share what the book is about and why I wrote it. If you’re looking for a practical, science-backed approach to retraining your brain and making meaningful changes, start here.
Biography (1 new item)
PROFESSOR, AUTHOR, SPEAKER.
Neeltje van Horen is a professor of financial economics at the University of Amsterdam and a senior research advisor at the Bank of England. Her research focuses on the interplay between the financial sector and the real economy, particularly during times of crisis and uncertainty. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, and she is a sought-after speaker. Neeltje has also worked at the World Bank and De Nederlandsche Bank and has been a visiting scholar at institutions such as the EBRD, IMF, and Chicago Fed.
Although she excelled in her demanding career, Neeltje faced challenges familiar to many: self-doubt, stress, and the relentless pressures of modern life. Determined to find a better way forward, she turned to neuroscience and psychology. By exploring how her brain functioned, she discovered that small, intentional changes dramatically improved her life. This personal journal inspired her to translate cutting-edge research and personal insights into practical tools, helping others overcome their own struggles.
In her debut book, Ignite, Neeltje makes complex research accessible and actionable for everyday life. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and economics, she blends scientific insights with relatable stories and practical tools. As a writer and speaker, she guides readers and audiences to build resilience, unlock their potential, and create positive, lasting change.
Neeltje divides her time between London, where she lives with her partner, his children, and their two cats, and Amsterdam.
Video
Curious about my book Ignite?
In this short video, I share what the book is about and why I wrote it. If you’re looking for a practical, science-backed approach to retraining your brain and making meaningful changes, start here.
Neetle-About-New.jpg
PROFESSOR, AUTHOR, SPEAKER.
Neeltje van Horen is a professor of financial economics at the University of Amsterdam and a senior research advisor at the Bank of England. Her research focuses on the interplay between the financial sector and the real economy, particularly during times of crisis and uncertainty. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, and she is a sought-after speaker. Neeltje has also worked at the World Bank and De Nederlandsche Bank and has been a visiting scholar at institutions such as the EBRD, IMF, and Chicago Fed.
Although she excelled in her demanding career, Neeltje faced challenges familiar to many: self-doubt, stress, and the relentless pressures of modern life. Determined to find a better way forward, she turned to neuroscience and psychology. By exploring how her brain functioned, she discovered that small, intentional changes dramatically improved her life. This personal journal inspired her to translate cutting-edge research and personal insights into practical tools, helping others overcome their own struggles.
In her debut book, Ignite, Neeltje makes complex research accessible and actionable for everyday life. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and economics, she blends scientific insights with relatable stories and practical tools. As a writer and speaker, she guides readers and audiences to build resilience, unlock their potential, and create positive, lasting change.
Neeltje divides her time between London, where she lives with her partner, his children, and their two cats, and Amsterdam.
Work in Progress
Work in Progress
SME exposure to inflation risk
With Vasso Ioannidou, Sudipto Karmakar and Elena Markoska
Home ownership and inflation
With Belinda Tracey
Pagano-Zechner price for my paper “Exporting Sovereign Stress”
My paper “Exporting Sovereign Stress: Evidence from Syndicated Bank Lending during the Euro Area Sovereign Debt Crisis”, written together with Alex Popov won the 2016 Pagano-Zechner price for the best non-investment paper in the Review of Finance. In this paper we show that tensions in Eurozone government-bond markets were transmitted internationally through the bank lending channel. Lending by European banks with sizeable exposures to sovereign debt from the troubled Eurozone countries became impaired after the start of the crisis. This resulted in a reallocation away from foreign markets except the US and an increase in home bias.
Paper “When Arm’s Length is too Far” accepted for Journal of Financial Economics
My paper “When Arm’s Length is too Far: Relationship Banking over the Credit Cycle” written jointly with Thorsten Beck, Hans Degryse and Ralph de Haas has been accepted for the Journal of Financial Economics. Using data from 21 countries in central and eastern Europe we show that relationship lending alleviates credit constraints during a cyclical downturn but not during a boom period. The positive impact of relationship lending in an economic downturn is strongest for smaller and more opaque firms and in regions where the downturn is more severe.
New working paper on the impact of the leverage ratio on repo market functioning
In my new working paper “Repo Market Functioning: The Role of Capital Regulation”, Antonis Kotidis and I show that a tightening of the leverage ratio in the UK reduced repo market liquidity, especially affecting smaller end users such as banks, insurers, pension funds and asset managers. We also show that other foreign dealers not affected by the tightening stepped into the market and gained market share, effectively benefitting from tighter UK regulation.
Panel discussion on policy evaluation at the 2018 CEBRA Annual Meeting
At the 2018 CEBRA Annual Meeting the Deutsche Bundesbank and Financial Stability Board organized a high‐level panel on the evaluation of the G20 regulatory reforms. Together with Dietrich Domanski (FSB) and Joao Santos (NY Fed), I discussed the challenges and opportunities of policy evaluation.
See here my presentation .
My paper “The Invisible Hand of the Government” accepted for American Economic Journal – Macroeconomics
My paper “The Invisible Hand of the Government: Moral Suasion during the European Sovereign Debt Crisis” written jointly with Steven Ongena and Alexander Popov has been accepted for the American Economic Journal – Macroeconomics. Using a novel two-layered identification strategy we provide evidence of moral suasion affecting government bond markets during the European sovereign debt crisis. During the height of the sovereign debt crisis, domestic banks were more likely than foreign banks to purchase domestic sovereign bonds during months in which the government needed to roll over a relatively large amount of maturing debt. Domestic banks that received government support, are small or with weaker balance sheets were particularly susceptible to moral suasion. Governance of banks played less of a role.
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Panel discussion on the role of non-banks in the economy at ESRB Annual Conference.
At the fourth ESRB Annual Conference I discussed the link between demographic changes and non-bank activity in the mortgage market. I highlighted the role insurers can play unlocking cash when retirees are asset rich but cash poor.
See here my presentation
The Invisible hand of the government” featured in AEA journals Research Highlight
European domestic banks were more likely to buy bonds issued by the governments when default looked imminent. What persuaded them? See Here
New working paper on the importance of cash for firm investment after a financial crisis
In a new working paper: “All you need is cash: Corporate cash holdings and investment after the financial crisis” written jointly with Andi Joseph, Christiane Kneer and Jumana Saleheen we show that having cash at hand allows firms to continue to invest during the crisis while industry rivals without cash have to divest. This gives cash-rich firms an important competitive edge that not only benefits them during the crisis but that gives them an advantage that lasts way beyond the crisis years. See also our blog on the topic.
My paper “Foreign Banks and Trade” accepted for Journal of Financial Intermediation
In this paper Stijn Claessens and I exploit our Bank Ownership Database and we show that the presence and entry of a foreign bank has a positive impact on bilateral export and (to a lesser extent) import. We find evidence that indicates that foreign banks facilitate trade by reducing financial frictions for firms that (want to) trade.
Appointed as Professor of Financial Economics at the University of Amsterdam
I have been appointed Professor of Financial Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Starting from July 2020 I will combine my professorship with my position as a Senior Research Advisor at the Bank of England. You can find the announcement here.
VoxEU article “Cash in the time of corona”
Cash is king as we argue in our new VoxEU blog (joint with Andi Joseph, Christiane Kneer and Jumana Saleheen). Companies with large amounts of cash on their balance sheet at the onset of the coronavirus crisis might enjoy a place in the sun and might emerge as winners in the post-Covid world.
New working paper: The consumption response to borrowing constraints in the mortgage market
In this paper Belinda Tracey and I study the UK Help-to-Buy program. We show that relaxing the down payment constraint positively affects household consumption in addition to stimulating housing market activity. Our findings point to a further link between the housing market and household consumption that does not operate through the home purchase and housing wealth channels.
New working paper: Startup types and macroeconomic performance in Europe
New research with Ralph de Haas and Vincent Sterk studying dynamics of European startups using unsupervised learning . We distinguish five starts-up types: capital intensive, cash-rich, high leverage, large and basic. We show that shifting the composition of startup cohorts can boost macroeconomic performance.
Inaugural lecture: Financing future economic growth
Friday 28th October I will deliver my Inaugural Lecture “Financing Future Economic Growth” at the University of Amsterdam. I will talk about the importance of finance for economic growth and how improvement of finance for SMEs, in particular young, high-potential ones, will be a crucial factor generating future economic growth, lower long-term inflation and the transition to net-zero.
Inaugural Lecture [PDF]
New working paper: Housing wealth inequality and mortgage market stimulus
In this paper (joint with Belinda Tracey) we shed new light on the relationship between the down payment requirement and housing wealth inequality. Studying the UK Help-to-Buy program we show that lowering the down payment requirement reduces housing wealth inequality by weakening the link between (parental) wealth and homeownership.
The Bank Ownership Database is getting an update!
Karsten Muller and I are excited to announce that we have begun the process of updating the Bank Ownership Database. This comprehensive resource will soon include ownership information for a large number of banks spanning from 1995 to 2022. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements!
My book IGNITE will be published in Spring 2025
My book “IGNITE – Unlock your brain’s true potential – and change your life” will be published in Spring 2025 by Bedford Square Publishers and Cargo/De Bezige Bij. The Chinese translation will be published in 2026 by Booky Culture Media Unlock the secrets to a happier you with IGNITE. Despite a successful academic career, Neeltje van Horen wrestled with self-doubt and insecurities. Her life transformed when she chose to face her challenges head-on, embarking on a quest to unlock the untapped potential of her brain. In IGNITE, van Horen shares the secrets to maximizing your brain’s capabilities. Through a unique blend of personal storytelling and rigorous scientific research, she presents practical strategies for enhancing cognition, boosting memory, fostering creativity, and cultivating a positive mindset. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and economics, this comprehensive guide hands you the keys to unlocking your brain’s true potential. Discover how small shifts in your thinking and daily routines can spark significant changes in your life. IGNITE is your roadmap to a richer, more fulfilling life, whether you’re an academic, creative, CEO, student, or a stay-at-home parent. Let it serve as your compass to better decision-making, increased productivity, and the work-life balance you crave. Discover the power within you and ignite change today!
Presentations
Presentations
Upcoming and recent presentations
Seminars:
- Banco de Portugal (March and Sept 2023)
- Bundesbank (March 2023)
- Norges Bank (June 2023)
- Central Bank of Ireland (Sept 2023)
- University of Amsterdam (Sept 2023)
- Riksbank (Oct 2023)
- Danmarks Nationalbank (May 2024)
Conferences:
- Joint BoE-BIS-IMF-ECB Conference “Policy Challenges and International Spillovers in Times of High Inflation (London, April 2022) *
- Finance in the Tuscan Hills Workshop (Florence, July 2022) ^
- Banca d’Italia-Collegio Carlo Alberto and Norges Bank Conference on Monetary Policy and Financial Intermediation: Learning from Heterogeneity and Macrodata (Turin, Oct 2023) ~
- Banque de France Workshop on Empirical Corporate Finance (Paris, Nov 2023) ^
~ = Keynote; ^ = Invited Speaker; * = Discussion
Previous presentations
2022
Seminars:
- University of Luxembourg; Kings College; Queen Mary University; Utrecht University
Conferences:
- AREUEA – ASSA (Boston)
- IBEFA – ASSA (Boston) *
- Swiss Winter Finance Conference (Lenzerheide)
- AREUEA – National (Washington)
- Housing Market and Household Finance Workshop (London) ^
- DNB-Riksbank-Bundesbank Macroprudential Conference (Amsterdam)
- Finance in the Tuscan Hills Workshop (Florence)^
- WE_ARE_IN Annual Conference (Basel) *
Panels:
- 10th Anniversary International Banking Research Network (Eiting)
2021
Seminars:
- Kings College; Amsterdam Business School; New York Fed
Conferences:
- ZEW Conference on Aging and Financial Markets (Virtual) *
- 11th Ifo Conference on Marcoeconomics and Survey Data (Virtual)
- AREUEA – Singapore (Virtual)
- European Finance Association (Virtual) *
2020
Seminars:
- Oxford University; Zurich University; De Nederlandsche Bank; Aalborg University; MoFiR Virtual Seminars on Banking; University of Amsterdam; Villanova WiFI Seminar Series; Humboldt University
Conferences:
- ECB-BoJ-BoE Joint Research Workshop (London) *
- Firm Heterogeneity and the Macroeconomy (Oxford – Virtual)
- BIS-BoE-CEPR Workshop on “Financial Innovation: Implications for Competition, Regulation and Monetary Policy (Basel – Virtual)*
- Norges Bank Workshop Frontier Research in Banking (Oslo – Virtual)*
2019
Seminars:
- University of Lausanne; Warwick Business School; Glasgow University; Austrian Central Bank
Conferences:
- Columbia/BPI bank research conference (New York)
- Chicago Financial Institutions Conference (Chicago)
- GSE Summer Forum – FIR Workshop (Barcelona)*
- GSE Summer Forum – FIS Workshop (Barcelona)
- CEPR-Bundesbank-Frankfurt School of Management Conference on Regulating Financial Markets (Frankfurt)
- Belgian Macro Workshop (Ghent) ~
- Knut Wicksell Conference On Financial Intermediation (Lund) ^
- HEC/ACPR Funding Stability and Banking Regulation Conference (Paris)
Panels:
- Fourth Annual Conference of the European Systemic Risk Board – The Role of Non-Banks in the Economy and the Financial System
2018
Seminars:
- Erasmus University Rotterdam; European Central Bank; Copenhagen Business School; Frankfurt School of Management; University of Maastricht; Lancaster University; De Nederlandsche Bank; Cass Business School
Conferences:
- London Financial Intermediation Workshop (London)
- 2nd Bristol Workshop on Banking and Financial Intermediation (Bristol)
- NBER ISOM Conference (Dublin)*
- 24 th European Summer Symposium in Financial Markets (Gerzensee)
- 4th IWH FIN FIRE Workshop on Challenges to Financial Stability (Halle)
- Financial Stability, Macroprudential Regulation and Microprudential Supervision Workshop (Frankfurt)
- BIS Research Conference on Post-Crisis Regulation (Basel)
Panels:
- High‐level panel on Post‐implementation Evaluations of the G20 Financial Regulatory Reforms” during at 2018 CEBRA Annual Meeting (Frankfurt)
2017
Seminars:
- University of Bonn; University of Lund; University of St. Andrews; Banque de France
Conferences:
- American Finance Association (Chicago)
- Workshop on Corporate Debt Markets (London)*
- 10th Swiss Winter Conference on Financial Intermediation (Lenzerheide)
- Chicago Financial Institutions Conference (Chicago)
- 9 th Baffi Carefin International Banking Conference “Banking and Financial Regulation” (Milan)*
- 4 th CSEF Banking Conference (Naples)*
2016
Seminars:
- Free University of Amsterdam; Bank of England; ECB; LSE
Conferences:
- Utah Winter Finance Conference (Snowbird)
- 2016 European Finance Association (Oslo)*
- 4 th Annual HEC Paris Workshop “Banking, Finance, Macroeconomics and the Real Economy (Paris)
- ECB conference on Monetary Policy Pass-through and Credit Markets (Frankfurt)*
- 2 nd BdF/BoE International Macro Workshop (London)
- Conference on “Financial Intermediation in Emerging Markets (Cape Town)*
2015
Seminars:
- Aalto University; Halle University; University of Maryland
Conferences:
- 4th MoFiR Workshop (Kobe)*
-
RIETI-MoFiR-Hitotsubashi-JFC International Workshop on
Banking and Financial Research (Tokyo) - NBER Summer Institute (Boston)
- Banking in Emerging Markets: Recent Trends and Developments (Rio) (2 papers + discussion)
-
7 th Baffi Carefin Conference “Tomorrow’s Bank Business
Model” (Milan) (paper + discussion) - 7 th European Banking Center Conference (Tilburg)*
-
2015 Chicago Fed-World Bank International Banking Conference
(Chicago)
2014
Seminars:
- University of Amsterdam; Frankfurt School of Finance & Management; DIW; EBRD; Maastricht University; Federal Reserve Board
Conferences:
- ASSA (Philadelphia)
- 7th Winter Conference on Financial Intermediation (Lenzerheide)
- Banking Research Day (Amsterdam)
- 31st SUERF Colloquium and 2014 BAFFI Finlawmetrics Conference (Milan)
- DNB/IMF/IMFER conference “International Banking: Microfoundations and Macroeconomic Implications” (Amsterdam)
- 13th Annual Macroeconomic Policy Workshop (Budapest)
- IMF/WB/WTO workshop on Trade (Washington)
- 4th Emerging Scholars in Banking and Finance Conference (London)*
- BoE/CfM/CEPR workshop on “International Trade, Finance and Macroeconomics” (London)
2013
Seminars
- Free University Amsterdam; Federal Reserve Board; World Bank; Zurich University;
Conferences:
- ASSA (San Diego)
- 6th Swiss Winter Conference on Financial Intermediation (Lenzerheide)*
- 2nd MoFiR workshop on Banking (Ancona)
- 12th Annual Darden International Finance Conference (Charlottesville)
- FIRS Conference (Dubrovnik)
- Bank of Italy workshop “Lending by Multinational Banks and Implications for Financial Stability and Integration” (Rome)
- European Finance Association (Cambridge)
- CEPR/LBS/FEDNY conference “The Economics of Global Banking” (London)*
- DNB/EBC/JEDC conference “The Role of Financial Intermediaries in Monetary Policy Transmission” (Amsterdam)*
- CEPR/EBRD/EBC/RoF conference “Understanding Banks in Emerging Markets: Experimenting, Observing or Asking? (London)*
- DNB Annual Conference “The Impact of Credit on the Dynamics of SMEs” (Amsterdam)
2012
Seminars:
- KU Leuven; Bank of International Settlements; Central Planning Bureau
Conferences:
- ASSA (Chicago) (2 papers + discussion)
- 5th Swiss Winter Conference on Financial Intermediation (Lenzerheide)*
- BOK/BIS/IMF conference on “Macro-financial Linkages” (Seoul)*
- World Bank/Banco de Espana conference on “Debt and Credit, Growth and Crises” (Madrid)*
- DNB/EBC/JMCB conference on “Post- Crisis Banking” (Amsterdam)
- ESCB Day-Ahead conference “Financial Stability: Measurement, Theory, and Policy Analysis” (Malaga)
- 4th Financial Stability Conference (Tilburg)*
- 15th Annual Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago International Banking Conference (Chicago)
- CEPR/ECB/RoF/Indiana conference on “Small Business Financing” (Frankfurt)
- Global Research Forum “International Macroeconomics and Finance” (Frankfurt)*
2011
Seminars:
- IMF; Boston Fed; Chicago Fed; New York Fed
Conferences:
- 4th Swiss Winter Conference on Financial Intermediation (Lenzerheide)
- 10th Annual Darden International Finance Conference, (Charlottesville)
- 8th Workshop in International Economics and Finance (Lima)
- IFABS Conference (Rome)
2010
Seminars:
- Tilburg University; International Monetary Fund; European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; European Central Bank; Banco de Espana; University of Mainz
Conferences:
- ASSA (Atlanta)
- CEPR conference on “Bank Crisis Prevention and Resolution” (Amsterdam)
- FIRS Conference (Florence)
- CEPR/DSF/EBC workshop on Cross-border Banking in Europe (Amsterdam)*
- Bank of Finland/CEPR conference on “Banking in Emerging Economies (Helsinki)
- 13th DNB Annual Research Conference (Amsterdam)
* = Discussion