Mind the Conversion Risk: A Theoretical Assessment of Contingent Convertible Bonds

31 Pages Posted: 11 Apr 2019

See all articles by Gaëtan Le Quang

Gaëtan Le Quang

Université Paris Nanterre and EconomiX (UMR7235)

Date Written: March 20, 2019

Abstract

We develop a theoretical model to assess the merits of principal-write down contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds. The conversion risk is the key feature of CoCo bonds. Because of this conversion risk, CoCo bonds are hard to price and an equilibrium price does not necessarily exist. In our model, for such a price to exist, the bank needs to hold a minimum amount of equity and/or the expected return associated with its asset portfolio needs to be large enough. When an equilibrium price exists, it is a decreasing function in the amount of equity held by the bank. Well-capitalized banks can thus issue CoCo bonds at a lower price than least-capitalized banks. This is the reason why CoCo bonds are to be thought of more as a complement to equity than as a substitute. In addition, because of the conversion risk, self-fulfilling panics may occur in the CoCo bonds' market. We indeed define a game between CoCo bonds' holders and the Central Bank that allows us to exhibit situations where a panic occurs in the CoCo bonds' market. Using the global game technique, we show that the probability of crisis can be expressed as a function of the return associated with the asset portfolio of the bank. The probability of crisis is shown to be sensitive to the precision of the information available to CoCo bonds' holders. Taken together, our results call for cautiousness when assessing the relevance of regulatory requirements in CoCo bonds, especially concerning their systemic impact.

Keywords: convertible contingent bonds, conversion risk, equity, banks, systemic risk

JEL Classification: G13, G21, G28, G32, G33

Suggested Citation

Le Quang, Gaëtan, Mind the Conversion Risk: A Theoretical Assessment of Contingent Convertible Bonds (March 20, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3356289 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3356289

Gaëtan Le Quang (Contact Author)

Université Paris Nanterre and EconomiX (UMR7235) ( email )

92, av. de la République, Nanterre
Room G301, Building G
Paris, Nanterre Cedex 92001
France

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