Catherine Refait-Alexandre

Catherine Refait-Alexandre is a University Professor at University of Franche-Comté in France, where she serves as Director of the Master's programs in 'Sustainable Finance and Banking' and 'Specialized Client Advisor.' She is affiliated with CRESE (Centre de REcherche sur les Stratégies Economiques) and works within the Faculty of Law, Economics, Political Science and Management (UFR SJEPG).

Her research focuses on three primary areas: banking economics, crowdfunding, and green finance. Professor Refait-Alexandre has developed significant expertise in analyzing bank transparency, financial regulation, and the relationship between banking systems and economic crises. More recently, she has pioneered research on how crowdfunding mechanisms can support sustainable transitions in the agri-food sector, examining various dimensions of proximity that influence crowdfunding success.

Her publication record shows remarkable productivity and relevance, with fifteen significant publications spanning from 2013 to 2025. These works demonstrate a clear evolution from traditional banking economics toward more contemporary issues of sustainable finance and alternative financing mechanisms. Her research appears in reputable journals such as Economic Systems, Theory and Decision, and International Economics, as well as through CRESE working papers.

Professor Refait-Alexandre maintains active research collaborations, most notably with Hervé Alexandre on banking topics and with Marc Deschamps and Julie Le Gallo on crowdfunding research. Her international collaboration with Larry D. Wall from the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank highlights the global relevance of her work on European banks and central bank liquidity facilities.

At CRESE, Professor Refait-Alexandre contributes to a vibrant research environment focused on economic strategies. Her work bridges theoretical economic analysis with practical applications in banking and sustainable finance, making significant contributions to both academic knowledge and potential policy implications in financial regulation and sustainable development.