As of 6 January 2026, Dr. Hannah Winterberg will take up the Endowed Junior Professorship in Banking at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne.
Hannah Winterberg completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics at the University of St Gallen. Afterwards, she joined the PhD Program in Economics and Finance at the University of St Gallen and worked as a research and teaching associate. From 2019 to 2021, she conducted research at the University of Maryland, supported by a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation. In 2022, she obtained her PhD in Economics and Finance with a ‘summa cum laude’ designation. Her dissertation was recognized as the best of her cohort, and she additionally received the SMIF Award for the best PhD chapter in quantitative economics and finance. She has joined the International Monetary Fund as an Economist after her PhD, first in the European and later on in the Money and Capital Markets Department.
Junior Professor Dr. Hannah Winterberg will support the Finance Area, in particular the chair of Business Administration and Finance under the direction of Professor Dr. Alexander Kempf, and will also cooperate with the Banking Studies Area. We are delighted to welcome an outstanding scholar and dedicated colleague to the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne.
A Strong Link Between Theory and Practice
In line with its guiding principle, “Today’s ideas. Tomorrow’s impact.”, the Faculty places great emphasis on closely linking academic excellence with practical relevance. In this spirit, we have gained an engaged researcher with a strong interest in sustainability, artificial intelligence and regulatory issues. Her research focus and excellent academic training address key future challenges in the banking and finance sector.
The Endowed Junior Professorship in Banking at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne is funded by Sparkasse KölnBonn. The aim is to strengthen teaching and research in finance on a sustainable basis and to further enhance Cologne as a centre for education and research. Sparkasse KölnBonn provides funding of €150,000 per year for a period of up to seven years – totaling approximately one million euros.
A Shared Commitment to the Region
Dr. Andreas Dartsch, Member of the Board of Management of Sparkasse KölnBonn, emphasizes the importance of the professorship for the region: “Our aim is to provide a positive impetus for the region, strengthen links with young professionals and work together with the professorship on forward-looking topics. This cooperation is intended not only to promote the education of excellent graduates, but also to generate insights that support us in making sustainable decisions.”
The Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Professor Ulrich W. Thonemann, PhD, also highlights the added value of the partnership: “The endowment of this professorship by Sparkasse KölnBonn is an important contribution to strengthening Cologne as a center of education and research. It underlines our shared commitment to promoting excellent research and teaching locally. We would like to thank Sparkasse KölnBonn most sincerely for their engagement and look forward to the impulses this professorship will provide for academia, business and society.”
We warmly welcome Junior Professor Dr. Hannah Winterberg and look forward to working with a highly qualified and forward-looking researcher.
