Credit Risk Pricing Models

This new edition is a greatly extended and updated version of my earlier monograph "Pricing Credit Linked Financial Instruments" (Schmid 2002). Whereas the first edition concentrated on the re­ search which I had done in the context of my PhD thesis, this second edition covers all important credit risk models and gives a general overview of the subject. I put a lot of effort in explaining credit risk factors and show the latest results in default probability and recovery rate modeling. There is a special emphasis on correlation issues as well. The broad range of financial instruments I consider covers not only defaultable bonds, defaultable swaps and single counterparty credit derivatives but is further extended by multi counterparty in­ struments like index swaps, basket default swaps and collateralized debt obligations. I am grateful to Springer-Verlag for the great support in the realiza­ tion of this project and want to thank the readers of the first edition for their overwhelming feedback. Last but not least I want to thank Uli Göser for ongoing patience, en­ couragement, and support, my family and especially my sister Wendy for being there at all times. BemdSchmid Stuttgart, November 2003 Cpntents 1. Introduction. 1 1. 1 Motivation. 1 1. 2 Objectives, Structure, and S:ummary. 5 2. Modeling Credit Risk Factors. 13. 2. 1 Introduction. 13 2. 2 Definition and Elements of Credit Risk. 13. 2. 3 Modeling Transition and Default Probabilities. 14. 2. 3. 1 The Historical Method. 15.