Graduate students at UMD’s Smith School, led by finance professor Liu Yang, analyzed Maryland’s earned wage access market and presented findings to lawmakers, influencing policy on financial regulations and highlighting the real-world impact of academic research and experiential learning.

A joint report from Maryland’s Comptroller and Smith School researchers reveals $150 billion in recent federal spending in the state. Students, guided by professors Liu Yang, Vojislav Maksimovic and Kislaya Prasad, gained valuable experience in data analysis and government collaboration.

Smith School faculty and graduate students partnered with the Maryland Comptroller’s Office to analyze the economic impact of federal spending and employment, helping state leaders assess risks and build a more resilient future for Maryland’s economy.

The Smith School has awarded 2025 Smith Internal Research Grants to 20 faculty-led teams to support high-impact research in areas including AI, entrepreneurship, labor markets, corporate communication, and online learning, fostering innovation across disciplines.

University of Maryland research shows small businesses thrive with high social connections, critical for funding and growth. A study involving over 70 Baltimore small-business owners highlights social capital's importance, revealing it influences financing more than local bank presence or income levels.

Luming Yang, MFin ’19, has had several “mini-careers” since graduation.

Robert H. Smith School of Business faculty members are engaged in three projects selected by the University of Maryland for Grand Challenges grants supporting research “to spur world-changing, interdisciplinary research and solutions."

Many analysts of financial markets are concerned that financial markets provide managers with economically harmful incentives.

A community’s social capital – the level of trust and cooperation among residents – is conventionally associated with the likes of higher SAT scores and less youth violence. But a new study drawn from Payment Protection Program (PPP) and U.S. Census data shows that the same metric also correlates positively with business development.