Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach

While regulators generate and advocate the use of through the cycle (TtC) probabilities of default (PDs) for regulatory capital calculations, accounting standards (such as IFRs9) require organisations to use point in time (PiT) PDs. TtC PDs are based on long-term average conditions and do not adequ...

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Main Authors: L. J. Basson, Gary van Vuuren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EconJournals 2023-11-01
Series:International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues
Subjects:
Online Access:https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijefi/article/view/15079
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author L. J. Basson
Gary van Vuuren
author_facet L. J. Basson
Gary van Vuuren
author_sort L. J. Basson
collection DOAJ
description While regulators generate and advocate the use of through the cycle (TtC) probabilities of default (PDs) for regulatory capital calculations, accounting standards (such as IFRs9) require organisations to use point in time (PiT) PDs. TtC PDs are based on long-term average conditions and do not adequately capture current credit risk conditions, underestimating credit losses during economic downturns or periods of financial stress. PiT PDs reflect the specific risk conditions prevailing at a given moment in time and provide a more granular assessment of credit risk. While many techniques measure PiT PDs directly, mathematical approaches also exist which convert TtC PDs into PiT PDs. PiT PDs are also routinely forecasted, projected into the future to allow estimation of the present value of future possible credit-related losses. Vasicek’s (1987) model is in common use for this purpose. Using a stylistic range of possible input values for Vasicek’s model, loan credit quality is found to be differentially affected (improving for some and deteriorating for others) for some of these values. This is counterintuitive and reflects a functional flaw in the model.
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spelling doaj.art-f1b3691eafdb40feb9e444f9107ff9bb2023-11-11T13:07:19ZengEconJournalsInternational Journal of Economics and Financial Issues2146-41382023-11-0113610.32479/ijefi.15079Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek ApproachL. J. Basson0Gary van Vuuren1School of Economics and Finance, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa.School of Economics and Finance, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa. While regulators generate and advocate the use of through the cycle (TtC) probabilities of default (PDs) for regulatory capital calculations, accounting standards (such as IFRs9) require organisations to use point in time (PiT) PDs. TtC PDs are based on long-term average conditions and do not adequately capture current credit risk conditions, underestimating credit losses during economic downturns or periods of financial stress. PiT PDs reflect the specific risk conditions prevailing at a given moment in time and provide a more granular assessment of credit risk. While many techniques measure PiT PDs directly, mathematical approaches also exist which convert TtC PDs into PiT PDs. PiT PDs are also routinely forecasted, projected into the future to allow estimation of the present value of future possible credit-related losses. Vasicek’s (1987) model is in common use for this purpose. Using a stylistic range of possible input values for Vasicek’s model, loan credit quality is found to be differentially affected (improving for some and deteriorating for others) for some of these values. This is counterintuitive and reflects a functional flaw in the model. https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijefi/article/view/15079Vasicek, Point-in-time, Through-the-cycle, Probability of default, IFRS9
spellingShingle L. J. Basson
Gary van Vuuren
Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues
Vasicek, Point-in-time, Through-the-cycle, Probability of default, IFRS9
title Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
title_full Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
title_fullStr Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
title_full_unstemmed Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
title_short Through-the-cycle to Point-in-time Probabilities of Default Conversion: Inconsistencies in the Vasicek Approach
title_sort through the cycle to point in time probabilities of default conversion inconsistencies in the vasicek approach
topic Vasicek, Point-in-time, Through-the-cycle, Probability of default, IFRS9
url https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijefi/article/view/15079
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