Pass the GARP Financial Risk and Regulation 2016-FRR Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

Counterparty credit risk refers to the risk that the counterparty to a financial contract will default before the final settlement of the contract's cash flows, resulting in a financial loss. This is correctly stated in option A.

The exposure at default (EAD) is indeed variable due to fluctuations in the underlying valuations, such as swaps, as mentioned in option B.

The EAD can be negatively correlated with the probability of default (PD) because as the credit quality of a counterparty deteriorates, their exposure may also decline, correctly stated in option C.

However, dynamic collateral provisions are typically designed to reduce counterparty risk by adjusting collateral requirements based on changes in exposure and credit quality, not to increase it. Therefore, option D is incorrect.

The formula to estimate interest charges on a loan includes the risk-free rate, which is the base rate for borrowing with no risk of default. To this, the expected loss due to default (calculated as Probability of Default x Loss Given Default) and a spread to cover additional costs and profit margins are added. This comprehensive formula accounts for the risk and return expectations in lending.

Most loans and deposits in the interbank market have a maturity of less than one year. This short-term nature is due to the need for liquidity and flexibility among banks, allowing them to manage their short-term funding requirements and respond to changes in interest rates and market conditions effectively.

While diversifying a bank’s credit portfolio helps spread out credit risks, the goal in debt management is to minimize the impact of defaults, and default risk cannot be fully hedged away, meaning it will always exist for the credit holder or the person insuring against it.

However, it is incorrect to state that the value of loan exposure changes similarly to equity investments. Loan exposures are generally less volatile compared to equities, and their value is typically more stable.

The relationship that approximates the yield on a risk-free instrument, excluding the credit quality of the Credit Default Swap (CDS) protection seller, is given by the combination of a bond and a CDS. The bond provides the base yield, and the CDS offers protection against default, together creating an instrument that mimics the characteristics of a risk-free yield by hedging against credit risk.

References

Verified information on risk-free yield approximation from the document ​

As an options buyer, the maximum loss is limited to the premium paid for the option. Therefore, the buyer can never lose more than the premium. As an option seller, the risk is theoretically unlimited because the seller is obligated to fulfill the contract regardless of how unfavorable the terms might become due to market movements.

Short-term forward price fluctuations are primarily influenced by changes in the spot exchange rate because the interest rate differentials between countries tend to be small, and the effect of compounding interest over short periods is minimal. This relationship emphasizes that in the short term, the primary driver of forward prices is the current spot rate rather than interest rate differentials.

An American call option allows the holder to purchase the underlying asset at any time before the option's expiration. This is in contrast to a European call option, which can only be exercised at the expiry date. The ability to exercise at any time gives the American option greater flexibility and potential value.

The most convenient approach for a credit analyst to quantify the credit risk exposure for the bank would be to analyze the distribution of the bank's credit losses and map credit risks at various statistical levels. This method provides a comprehensive view of potential losses and the probabilities associated with different loss levels, which is crucial for effective risk management and regulatory compliance.

When a credit analyst evaluates spreads in loans, they focus on compensating for costs such as the marginal cost of funds provided, overhead costs of maintaining the loan, and inherent risks of lending to the borrower. However, the opportunity cost of the risk-adjusted marginal cost of capital is not typically considered directly in the spreads. The opportunity cost generally refers to the potential returns from alternative investments, which isn't a direct component of loan spread calculations.