Add to ORKGThis thesis benefits from the help, encouragement and support of many people. First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Gerhard Illing for sustaining support and guidance and for providing an excellent framework for doing research. I am grateful to Prof. Ray Rees acting as my second supervisor and Prof. Monika Schnitzer who agreed to act as the third examiner in my thesis committee. I gratefully acknowledge the support of the Deutsche Bundesbank, especially Frank Heid, for offering a research contract and access to unique datasets. Thus, I was able to generate significant parts of my thesis during my visits at the Deutsche Bundesbank. I am especially indebted to my coauthor Christoph Memmel for the inspiring, pleasant an...