Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/180677 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
Bundesbank Discussion Paper No. 24/2018
Publisher: 
Deutsche Bundesbank, Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
We study how contingent capital affects banks' risk choices. When triggered in highly levered states, going-concern conversion reduces risk-taking incentives, unlike conversion at default by traditional bail-inable debt. Interestingly, contingent capital (CoCo) may be less risky than bail-inable debt as its lower priority is compensated by a lower induced risk. The main beneficial effect on risk incentives comes from reduced leverage upon conversion, while any equity dilution has the opposite effect. This is in contrast to traditional convertible debt, since CoCo bondholders have a short option position. As a result, principal write-down CoCo debt is most desirable for risk preventive pur- poses, although the effect may be tempered by a higher yield. The risk reduction effect of CoCo debt depends critically on the informativeness of the trigger. As it should ensure deleveraging in all states with high risk incentives, it is always inferior to pure equity.
Subjects: 
Banks
Contingent Capital
Risk-shifting
Financial Leverage
JEL: 
G13
G21
G28
ISBN: 
978-3-95729-475-3
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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