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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 28 No. 4 2004

Default correlation: An empirical investigation of a subprime lender

Adrian M. Cowan; Charles D. Cowan

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Abstract

In recent years, subprime lending has grown substantially as an important sector of the credit markets. This paper is concerned with the risk management of subprime loan portfolios and the importance of default correlation in measuring that risk. Using a large portfolio of residential subprime loans from an anonymous subprime lender, we show that default correlation is substantial for this lender. In particular, the significance of default correlation increases as the internal credit rating declines. Our results suggest that lenders and regulators would be well served investing in the understanding of default correlation in subprime portfolios.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2003.10.005
Volume
28
Issue
4
Pages
753-771
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib

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