Scope for Credit Risk Diversification

This paper considers a simple model of credit risk and derives the limit distribution of losses under different assumptions regarding the structure of systematic risk and the nature of exposure or firm heterogeneity. We derive fat-tailed correlated loss distributions arising from Gaussian risk factors and explore the potential for risk diversification. Where possible the results are generalised to non-Gaussian distributions. The theoretical results indicate that if the firm parameters are heterogeneous but come from a common distribution, for sufficiently large portfolios there is no scope for further risk reduction through active portfolio management. However, if the firm parameters come from different distributions, then further risk reduction is possible by changing the portfolio weights. In either case, neglecting parameter heterogeneity can lead to underestimation of expected losses. But, once expected losses are controlled for, neglecting parameter heterogeneity can lead to overestimation of risk, whether measured by unexpected loss or value-at-risk

Credit Rationing with Symmetric Information

Without denying the importance of asymmetric information, this article purports the view that credit rationing may also originate from a lender's inability to classify loan applicants in proper risk categories. This effect is particularly strong when novel technologies are involved. Furthermore, its relevance may increase with the importance assigned to internal rating systems by the Basel accord. This article presents a measure of the inadequacy of a lender's classification criteria to the qualitative features of prospective borrowers. Even without information asymmetries, credit rationing may occur if this quantity reaches too high a value. Furthermore, some general principles are outlined, that may be used by lenders in order to change their classification criteria

Chapitre 6. La gestion du risque de crédit et la stabilité du système financier international

Dans l’industrie bancaire, à l’aube du XXIe siècle, le risque majeur demeure toujours et encore le risque de crédit. Il est important de garder à l’esprit que c’est l’absence de diversification et, pire encore, l’illusion de la diversification, qui sont à l’origine des problèmes éprouvés par les banques. Un certain nombre de mesures devraient permettre à l’avenir de minimiser l’impact des crises financières sur la stabilité des banques et d’éviter tout risque systémique, c’est-à-dire le risqu..

The essentials of risk management

The definitive guide to quantifying risk vs. return--fully updated to reveal the newest, most effective innovations in financial risk management since the 2008 financial crisis Written for risk professionals and non-risk professionals alike, this easy-to-understand guide helps you meet the increasingly insistent demand to make sophisticated assessments of companies' risk exposure. It provides the latest methods for: Measuring and transferring credit risk Increasing risk-management transparency Implementing an organization-wide Enterprise risk Management (ERM) approac