The Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF) was established in 1998 by the University of Naples Federico II, the University of Salerno, and Bocconi University to perform and promote research on household choices, financial economics and microeconomic theory.

The primary aim of CSEF is to link up researchers in Salerno, Naples and Bocconi with international research on these issues via seminars, conferences, exchange of researchers and joint research projects.

CSEF's premises are at the Department of Economics of the University of Naples Federico II. CSEF hosts researchers and doctoral students from other Italian universities and other countries, and it features a weekly research seminar, open to faculty and doctoral students. CSEF also collaborates with the Master in Economics and Finance (MEF) at the University of Naples Federico II.

Besides strengthening the networking between the Universities Bocconi, Salerno and Naples, the Centre can apply for research grants, organizes workshops and conferences, and runs research projects as an independent legal entity.

The Scientific Committee of CSEF includes: Marcello D'Amato (Salerno), Carlo Favero (Bocconi), Tullio Jappelli (Naples), Riccardo Martina (Naples), Marco Pagano (Naples), Michele Polo (Bocconi). CSEF Director is Tullio Jappelli, and the administration is entrusted to Lia Ambrosio.