Dr. Vikas Agarwal has been named the inaugural holder of the Bank of America Distinguished Chair in Finance at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business.

“We are enormously appreciative of Bank of America’s commitment to Georgia State’s Finance Department,” said Mark Becker, president of Georgia State. “Our university shines in the reflection of Professor Agarwal’s achievements, and we are delighted to have him be the first person to hold the Bank of America Distinguished Chair. This partnership between Bank of America and Georgia State builds on a long and storied history, and I am certain with Professor Agarwal assuming the chair the relationship will continue to grow and prosper well into the future.”

“Georgia State University is ensuring students have the tools and resources to graduate and are ready to thrive in their careers,” said Wendy Stewart, Atlanta Market President for Bank of America. “GSU’s innovation is creating economic pathways for students, especially those first-generation college attendees. We look forward to the positive impacts Dr. Vikas Agarwal will have on the students, faculty, college and community.”

Agarwal is an internationally recognized expert on hedge funds and asset management, as well as a renowned researcher, specializing in issues related to institutional investors. Widely published and cited in premier academic and practitioner journals and frequently interviewed by U.S. and European media, Agarwal joined Robinson College in 2001.

“With his outstanding record in research, teaching and service, there could be no finer choice for the inaugural holder of the Bank of America Chair of Finance than Vikas Agarwal,” said Richard Phillips, dean of the Robinson College.

“Bank of America’s support has allowed us to hire internationally renowned faculty members conducting pioneering research, establish a fintech strategy at the forefront of the domain and open a world of possibilities for our students and faculty. Bank of America has been instrumental in the rise in stature of Robinson’s Department of Finance and we’re enormously thankful.”

Georgia State hosted a reception for Bank of America’s Atlanta-area leadership team on Sept. 17 to recognize Agarwal and thank Bank of America for its support of Georgia State and the Robinson College.