What motivates a subprime borrower to default? |
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Authors: | Toby Daglish |
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Affiliation: | Victoria University of Wellington, School of Economics and Finance, Level 3, Rutherford House, 23 Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | This paper uses a real options approach to analyse the exercise of the default option embedded in mortgages. In particular, it examines a subprime household who borrows at a premium, but hopes to refinance at prime rates if their house appreciates. We show how these optimal default decisions can be used to calculate probabilities of default – an important input for risk management and pricing purposes. Numerical examples are provided, calibrated to US data. In a low interest rate environment, the credit-upgrade potential may discourage subprime borrowers from defaulting. However, default probabilities are highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and house prices. This provides a rational explanation for the prevalence of adjustable rate mortgages among subprime borrowers, and the subsequent large numbers of defaults, when interest rates rose and house prices declined. |
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Keywords: | G12 G21 G33 |
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