Chapter 10 Testbank
Chapter 10 Testbank
Student: ___________________________________________________________________________
1. A loan provided by a group of FIs as opposed to a single lender is called:
A. a joint loan.
B. project finance.
C. a syndicated loan.
D. a multiple loan.
2. The term 'loan rating' refers to the process of individual loans being given credit rating by:
A. rating agencies dependent on the lender's credit assessment.
B. rating agencies dependent on the lender's credit assessment.
C. lenders dependent on a credit rating agency's credit assessment.
D. lenders independent of a credit rating agency's credit assessment.
3. The term 'asset-backed loan' refers to a loan that is backed by a:
A. first claim on certain assets of the borrower if default occurs.
B. second claim on certain assets of the borrower at maturity.
C. first claim on certain assets of the borrower at maturity.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
4. An unsecured loan is also referred to as:
A. non-asset backed loan.
B. mezzanine debt.
C. junior debt.
D. senior debt.
5. The term 'spot loan' refers a loan:
A. that is granted on the spot.
B. that needs to be repaid on the spot.
C. granted at the spot rate.
D. for which the full loan amount is withdrawn by the borrower on the spot.
6. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a maximum size and a minimum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
B. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a minimum size and a minimum period of time over which the borrower can
withdraw funds.
C. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a maximum size and a maximum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
D. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a minimum size and a maximum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
7. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A commercial paper is an unsecured long-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
B. A commercial paper is a secured long-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
C. A commercial paper is a secured short-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
D. A commercial paper is an unsecured short-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
8. The term disintermediation refers to the process in which firms access:
A. money markets directly.
B. money markets via financial intermediaries.
C. capital markets directly.
D. capital markets via financial intermediaries.
9. A credit line on which a borrower can both draw and repay many times over the life of the loan contract is called a:
A. reviving loan.
B. revolving loan.
C. refilling loan.
D. A credit line does not exist.
10. The prime lending rate is the:
A. risk premium periodically set by the RBA.
B. base lending rate periodically set by banks.
C. base lending rate periodically set by the RBA.
D. risk premium periodically set by banks.
11. Which of the following statements is false?
A. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is willing but unable to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
B. Default risk is the risk that the borrower refinances the loan before maturity.
C. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is able but unwilling to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
D. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is unable and unwilling to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
12. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the quantity of loans made available to an individual borrower.
B. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the type of loans made available to an individual borrower.
C. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the quality of loans made available to an individual borrower.
D. Credit rationing means that the FI does not have sufficient funds available for lending and thus only grants loans to
selected borrowers.
13. Which of the following statements is true?
A. An example of a covenant is a restriction that limits those actions of the borrower that have an impact on the probability
of repayment.
B. An example of a covenant is a restriction that encourages those actions of the borrower that have an impact on the
probability of repayment.
C. A covenant is a restriction written into either bond or loan contracts.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
14. Which of the following is the correct definition of leverage?
A. The ratio of equity to debt.
B. The ratio of assets to debt.
C. The ratio of debt to assets.
D. The ratio of debt to equity.
15. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that considers a borrower's credit rating to make loan decisions.
B. A credit scoring model is a model that relies on expert knowledge to make loan decisions.
C. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that uses observed borrower characteristics to calculate a score
representing the applicant's probability of default or to sort borrowers into different default classes.
D. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that uses neural networks to make loan decisions.
16. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds without any intervening cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a large discount from face value.
B. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds with semi-annual cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a large discount from face value.
C. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds without any intervening cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a small discount from face value.
D. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds with annual cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these bonds
typically sell at a large discount from face value.
17. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Arbitrage means the inability to make a profit without taking risk.
B. Arbitrage means that an FI takes risks in order to make a profit.
C. Arbitrage means that an FI does not take any and thus does not make a profit.
D. Arbitrage means the ability to make a profit without taking risk.
18. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Cumulative default probability is the probability that a borrower will default over a specified multi-year period.
B. Cumulative default probability is the probability that a borrower will default in any given year.
C. Marginal default probability is the probability that a cluster of borrowers will default over a specified multi-year period.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
19. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Marginal mortality rate is the historic default rate experience of a bond or loan.
B. The mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting over a specified multi-year period.
C. Marginal mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting in any given year of issue.
D. Marginal mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting over a specified multi-year period.
20. Which of the following statements is true?
A. RAROC is the risk-adjusted return on capital.
B. RAROC is calculated as the capital at risk divided by the loan's income.
C. RAROC should always be below an FI's RAROC benchmark as otherwise the FI increases its default risk exposure.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
21. Consider the following formula for calculating the contractually promised gross return on a loan k, per dollar lent: (1 +
k) = 1 + [f + (BR + m)]/ {1 – [b(1 – R)]}. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The denominator is the promised gross cash inflow to the FI per dollar.
B. The denominator reflects direct fees plus the loan interest rate consisting of both, the base lending rate and the credit
risk premium.
C. The formula ignores present value aspects.
D. The FI's net benefit from requiring compensating balances must consider the benefits of holding additional non-interest
bearing reserve requirements.
22. Consider the following scenario: an FI charges a 0.5 per cent loan origination fee and imposes an 8 per cent
compensating balance requirement to be held as non-interest bearing demand deposits. It further sets aside reserves
held at the central bank. The value of these reserves is 10 per cent of deposits. The base lending rate is 9 per cent and
the credit risk premium for a specific borrower is 3 per cent. What is the ROA on the loan?
A. 12.60 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 11.50 per cent
D. Not enough information to solve the question.
23. Consider the following scenario: an FI charges a 0.5 per cent loan origination fee and imposes a 10 per cent
compensating balance requirement to be held as non-interest bearing demand deposits. It further sets aside reserves
held at the central bank. The value of these reserves is 15 per cent of deposits. What is the base lending rate if the credit
risk premium is 3.055 per cent and the ROA on the loan is 17 per cent?
A. 11.5 per cent
B. 13.945 per cent
C. 12 per cent
D. 20.055 per cent
24. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Borrower-specific factors are factors that affect all borrowers operating in the same industry.
B. Market-specific factors are factors that are idiosyncratic factors arising from the market that affect s single or a small
number of borrowers.
C. Market-specific factors carry a higher weight compared to borrower-specific factors when deciding on whether to
accept or to reject a loan application.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
25. Assume that there are two factors influencing the past default behaviour of borrowers; these being the debt to equity
ratio and the sales to assets ratio. Based on past default (repayment) experience, the linear probability model is estimated
as Zi = 0.3(D/Ei) + 0.15 (S/Ai). Assume that a prospective borrower has a D/E ratio of 0.9 and a sales to assets ratio of
2.5. What is the borrower's probability of default?
A. 0.885
B. 0.645
C. 0.45
D. 3.4
26. Which of the following statements in relation to Altman's discriminant function is true?
A. The higher the Z score the higher the probability of default.
B. The loan size does not influence the result of the Altman Z score model.
C. The size of the borrower does not influence the result of the Altman Z score model.
D. The Altman Z score model always produces an exact reject or accept decision.
27. Consider the following data of a prospective borrower.
Current assets $120 000
Current liabilities $60 000
Total assets $500 000
Market value of equity $50 000
Book value of equity $60 000
Retained earnings $12 000
Interest expense $20 000
Profit before tax $200 000
Sales revenue $1 000 000
What is this company's Z score?
A. 2.70
B. 2.80
C. 2.90
D. 3.00
28. Consider the following data of a prospective borrower.
Working capital $50 000
Total assets $500 000
Market value of equity $40 000
Book value of long-term debt $360 000
Retained earnings $15 000
EBIT $250 000
Sales revenue $1 000 000
What is this company's Z score (round to two decimals)?
A. 3.78
B. 3.88
C. 3.98
D. 4.08
29. How would you interpret a Z score of 2.25?
A. The Z score lies within the 'safe' zone and thus a loan should be granted.
B. The Z score lies within the 'high default' zone and thus a loan should be granted.
C. The Z score lies within the 'zone of ignorance' and thus the borrower may or may not default.
D. The interpretation of the Z score is always dependent on an FI manager's subjective opinion.
30. Assume the interest rate in the market for one-year zero-coupon government bonds is i = 8 per cent and the rate for
one-year zero-coupon grade BBB bonds is k = 10.2 per cent. What is the implied probability of repayment on the
corporate bond (round to two decimals)?
A. 2.00 per cent
B. 2.04 per cent
C. 97.96 per cent
D. 98.00 per cent
31. Assume the interest rate in the market for one-year zero-coupon government bonds is i = 7.5 per cent and the rate for
one-year zero-coupon grade BB bonds is k = 11.8 per cent. What is the implied probability of default on the corporate
bond (round to two decimals)?
A. 3.85 per cent
B. 4.00 per cent
C. 96.00 per cent
D. 96.15 per cent
32. Consider the case of a simple one-period framework. If i = 12.30 per cent and k = 13.87 per cent, what is the risk
premium on the corporate loan (round to two decimals)?
A. 13.87% – 12.30% = 1.57%.
B. 13.87% 12.30% = 0.0171 = 1.71%.
C. 13.87% / 12.30% = 1.13%.
D. The risk premium equals k = 13.87 per cent.
33. Consider the case of a simple one-period framework. If i = 12.50 per cent, k = 14.85 per cent, p = 0.98, and = 0.85
what is the required risk premium (round to two decimals)?
A. 0.34 per cent
B. 0.35 per cent
C. 0.98 per cent
D. 2.35 per cent
34. Consider the case of ABC Company. The company's marginal probability of default in year 1 is 0.03 and 0.08 in year
2. What is ABC Company's cumulative default probability (round to two decimals)?
A. 14.00 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 99.76 per cent
D. 10.76 per cent
35. The current required yields on one- and two-year government bonds are i1 = 12 per cent and i2 = 13 per cent. What
are the market's expectations of the one-year forward rate, f1 (round to two decimals)?
A. 13.50 per cent
B. 14.00 per cent
C. 14.50 per cent
D. 15.00 per cent
36. Assume that i1 = 11 per cent and i2 = 12 per cent, and that k1 = 14.50 per cent and k2 = 16.50 per cent. What is the
expected probability of repayment on the one-year corporate bonds in one year's time (round to two decimals)?
A. 86.99 per cent
B. 81.47 per cent
C. 86.50 per cent
D. 95.34 per cent
37. Assume that f1 = 13.50 per cent and c1 = 17.40 per cent. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The expected default probability of repayment is 96.10 per cent.
B. The expected probability of repayment is 3.32 per cent.
C. The one-year rate expected on corporate securities one year into the future is 13.50 per cent.
D. The current one-year rate on corporate securities is 17.40 per cent.
38. Assume a $500 000 loan has a duration of 2.5 years. The current interest rate level is 10 per cent and a sudden
change in the credit premium of 1 per cent is expected. Further assume that the one-year income on the loan is $2500.
What is the loan's RAROC (round to two decimals)?
A. 10.00 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 22.00 per cent
D. 50.00 per cent
39. In the context of the KMV Credit Monitor Model, the market value of a risky loan made by a lender to a borrower can
be expressed as:
A. F(r) = Be–i/r[(1/d)N(h1) + N(h2)]
B. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)N(h1) + N(h2)]
C. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)– N(h1) + N(h2)]
D. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)N(h1) N(h2)]
40. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model compares loans with the pay-off functions of swaps.
B. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model uses rating migrations data to calculate hypothetical loan values.
C. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model discriminates between two types of borrowers, i.e. borrowers that are likely to
default and borrowers that are unlikely to default.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
41. Assume that B = $200 000, r = 1 year, i = 7 per cent, d = 0.9, N(h1) = 0.174120 and N(h2) = 0.793323. Using Moody's
KMV Credit Monitor Model, what is the current market value of the loan (round to two decimals)?
A. $184 015.32
B. $186 478.64
C. $200 000.00
D. $214 000.00
42. Assume that B = $200 000, r = 1 year, i = 7 per cent, d = 0.9, N(h1) = 0.174120 and N(h2) = 0.793323. Using Moody's
KMV Credit Monitor Model, what is the required risk premium on the loan (round to two decimal places)?
A. 0.13 per cent
B. 0.91 per cent
C. 1.64 per cent
D. 6.30 per cent
43. Non-performing loans are loans:
A. given out to corporations with low credit ratings.
B. that require re-evaluating of credit terms after every six months.
C. characterised by some type of default—from non-payment to delays in payment of interest and/or principal.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
44. Loan to value ratio is the:
A. loan amount divided by the book value of the property to be mortgaged.
B. loan amount divided by the perceived value of the property to be mortgaged.
C. investment amount divided by the appraised value of the property to be mortgaged.
D. loan amount divided by the appraised value of the property to be mortgaged.
45. The key factors entering into the credit decision include:
A. borrower-specific factors that are idiosyncratic to the individual borrower.
B. market-specific factors that have an impact on all borrowers at the time of the credit decision.
C. global-economic factors that have an impact on all FI's at the time of credit decision.
D. borrower-specific factors that are idiosyncratic to the individual borrower and market-specific factors that have an
impact on all borrowers at the time of the credit decision.
46. Credit scoring models include:
A. linear probability models.
B. logit models.
C. linear discriminant analysis.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
47. The linear probability model uses:
A. forecasted data, such as predicted future prices, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
B. current indices, such as consumer price index, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
C. past data, such as financial ratios, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
48. Models of credit risk measurement include:
A. term structure of credit risk approach.
B. mortality rate approach
C. RAROC and option models.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
49. Compensating balance is a proportion of:
A. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at a correspondent bank.
B. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit in foreign reserves.
C. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at the lending institution.
D. the investment that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at the lending institution.
50. Term structure of credit risk approach models are also known as:
A. reduced-form models.
B. mortality rate models.
C. RAROC models.
D. structural models.
51. Banks have been partially responsible for big corporate collapses such as Enron.
True False
52. Credit card facilities is a revolving loan product.
True False
53. In its simplest form the rate on a loan is set as the base lending rate plus a credit risk premium.
True False
54. A borrower's leverage refers to the payment capacity, that is, the 'leverage' the borrower has to service its loans.
True False
55. The position of the business cycle in the economy is not important in assessing the default probability of a borrower.
True False
56. By selecting and combining different economic and financial borrower characteristics, an FI manager may be able to
improve the pricing of default risk.
True False
57. Linear discriminant models rely on a company's forecasted financial data so that the FI manager is able to assess the
borrower's future payment ability.
True False
58. A company with an Altman Z score of 3.15 should not be granted a loan due to a high default probability.
True False
59. The zone of ignorance in the Altman Z score model indicates that it is difficult to predict whether or not the prospective
borrower will default in the future.
True False
60. Using term structure derivation of credit risk on a one-year loan, it is possible to simply calculate the risk premium on
the loan by deducting the market rate for a one-year zero-coupon government bond from the market rate for a one-year
zero-coupon corporate bond of a credit rating equivalent to that of the prospective borrower.
True False
61. Mortality rates analyse historic default risk experience of bonds and loans of similar quality.
True False
63. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model compares loans with option payoffs.
True False
64. Explain the major concept of Altman's linear discriminant model. What would you consider to be the major
disadvantages of this model?
65. Explain the concept of RAROC and the major role RAROC models play in credit risk analysis.
66. What are the major ideas behind KMV's Credit Monitor Model?
Chapter 10 - Testbank Key
1. A loan provided by a group of FIs as opposed to a single lender is called:
A. a joint loan.
B. project finance.
C. a syndicated loan.
D. a multiple loan.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
2. The term 'loan rating' refers to the process of individual loans being given credit rating by:
A. rating agencies dependent on the lender's credit assessment.
B. rating agencies dependent on the lender's credit assessment.
C. lenders dependent on a credit rating agency's credit assessment.
D. lenders independent of a credit rating agency's credit assessment.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
3. The term 'asset-backed loan' refers to a loan that is backed by a:
A. first claim on certain assets of the borrower if default occurs.
B. second claim on certain assets of the borrower at maturity.
C. first claim on certain assets of the borrower at maturity.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
4. An unsecured loan is also referred to as:
A. non-asset backed loan.
B. mezzanine debt.
C. junior debt.
D. senior debt.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
5. The term 'spot loan' refers a loan:
A. that is granted on the spot.
B. that needs to be repaid on the spot.
C. granted at the spot rate.
D. for which the full loan amount is withdrawn by the borrower on the spot.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
6. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a maximum size and a minimum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
B. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a minimum size and a minimum period of time over which the borrower can
withdraw funds.
C. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a maximum size and a maximum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
D. A line of credit facility is a credit facility with a minimum size and a maximum period of time over which the borrower
can withdraw funds.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
7. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A commercial paper is an unsecured long-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
B. A commercial paper is a secured long-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
C. A commercial paper is a secured short-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
D. A commercial paper is an unsecured short-term debt instrument issued by corporations.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
8. The term disintermediation refers to the process in which firms access:
A. money markets directly.
B. money markets via financial intermediaries.
C. capital markets directly.
D. capital markets via financial intermediaries.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans.
9. A credit line on which a borrower can both draw and repay many times over the life of the loan contract is called a:
A. reviving loan.
B. revolving loan.
C. refilling loan.
D. A credit line does not exist.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-05 Identify consumer loans, such as personal loans and credit cards.
10. The prime lending rate is the:
A. risk premium periodically set by the RBA.
B. base lending rate periodically set by banks.
C. base lending rate periodically set by the RBA.
D. risk premium periodically set by banks.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
11. Which of the following statements is false?
A. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is willing but unable to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
B. Default risk is the risk that the borrower refinances the loan before maturity.
C. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is able but unwilling to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
D. Default risk is the risk that the borrower is unable and unwilling to fulfil the terms promised under loan contract.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
12. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the quantity of loans made available to an individual borrower.
B. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the type of loans made available to an individual borrower.
C. Credit rationing means that the FI restricts the quality of loans made available to an individual borrower.
D. Credit rationing means that the FI does not have sufficient funds available for lending and thus only grants loans to
selected borrowers.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
13. Which of the following statements is true?
A. An example of a covenant is a restriction that limits those actions of the borrower that have an impact on the probability
of repayment.
B. An example of a covenant is a restriction that encourages those actions of the borrower that have an impact on the
probability of repayment.
C. A covenant is a restriction written into either bond or loan contracts.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-07 Learn about the different models used to measure credit risk.
14. Which of the following is the correct definition of leverage?
A. The ratio of equity to debt.
B. The ratio of assets to debt.
C. The ratio of debt to assets.
D. The ratio of debt to equity.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
15. Which of the following statements is true?
A. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that considers a borrower's credit rating to make loan decisions.
B. A credit scoring model is a model that relies on expert knowledge to make loan decisions.
C. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that uses observed borrower characteristics to calculate a score
representing the applicant's probability of default or to sort borrowers into different default classes.
D. A credit scoring model is a mathematical model that uses neural networks to make loan decisions.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-09 Understand the key components of credit scoring and related models including Altman's Z-score model.
16. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds without any intervening cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a large discount from face value.
B. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds with semi-annual cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a large discount from face value.
C. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds without any intervening cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these
bonds typically sell at a small discount from face value.
D. Zero-coupon corporate bonds are bonds with annual cash flows between issue and maturity and thus these bonds
typically sell at a large discount from face value.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
17. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Arbitrage means the inability to make a profit without taking risk.
B. Arbitrage means that an FI takes risks in order to make a profit.
C. Arbitrage means that an FI does not take any and thus does not make a profit.
D. Arbitrage means the ability to make a profit without taking risk.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
18. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Cumulative default probability is the probability that a borrower will default over a specified multi-year period.
B. Cumulative default probability is the probability that a borrower will default in any given year.
C. Marginal default probability is the probability that a cluster of borrowers will default over a specified multi-year period.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
19. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Marginal mortality rate is the historic default rate experience of a bond or loan.
B. The mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting over a specified multi-year period.
C. Marginal mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting in any given year of issue.
D. Marginal mortality rate is the probability of a bond or loan defaulting over a specified multi-year period.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
20. Which of the following statements is true?
A. RAROC is the risk-adjusted return on capital.
B. RAROC is calculated as the capital at risk divided by the loan's income.
C. RAROC should always be below an FI's RAROC benchmark as otherwise the FI increases its default risk exposure.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
21. Consider the following formula for calculating the contractually promised gross return on a loan k, per dollar lent: (1 +
k) = 1 + [f + (BR + m)]/ {1 – [b(1 – R)]}. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The denominator is the promised gross cash inflow to the FI per dollar.
B. The denominator reflects direct fees plus the loan interest rate consisting of both, the base lending rate and the credit
risk premium.
C. The formula ignores present value aspects.
D. The FI's net benefit from requiring compensating balances must consider the benefits of holding additional non-interest
bearing reserve requirements.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
22. Consider the following scenario: an FI charges a 0.5 per cent loan origination fee and imposes an 8 per cent
compensating balance requirement to be held as non-interest bearing demand deposits. It further sets aside reserves
held at the central bank. The value of these reserves is 10 per cent of deposits. The base lending rate is 9 per cent and
the credit risk premium for a specific borrower is 3 per cent. What is the ROA on the loan?
A. 12.60 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 11.50 per cent
D. Not enough information to solve the question.
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
23. Consider the following scenario: an FI charges a 0.5 per cent loan origination fee and imposes a 10 per cent
compensating balance requirement to be held as non-interest bearing demand deposits. It further sets aside reserves
held at the central bank. The value of these reserves is 15 per cent of deposits. What is the base lending rate if the credit
risk premium is 3.055 per cent and the ROA on the loan is 17 per cent?
A. 11.5 per cent
B. 13.945 per cent
C. 12 per cent
D. 20.055 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
24. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Borrower-specific factors are factors that affect all borrowers operating in the same industry.
B. Market-specific factors are factors that are idiosyncratic factors arising from the market that affect s single or a small
number of borrowers.
C. Market-specific factors carry a higher weight compared to borrower-specific factors when deciding on whether to
accept or to reject a loan application.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
25. Assume that there are two factors influencing the past default behaviour of borrowers; these being the debt to equity
ratio and the sales to assets ratio. Based on past default (repayment) experience, the linear probability model is estimated
as Zi = 0.3(D/Ei) + 0.15 (S/Ai). Assume that a prospective borrower has a D/E ratio of 0.9 and a sales to assets ratio of
2.5. What is the borrower's probability of default?
A. 0.885
B. 0.645
C. 0.45
D. 3.4
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
26. Which of the following statements in relation to Altman's discriminant function is true?
A. The higher the Z score the higher the probability of default.
B. The loan size does not influence the result of the Altman Z score model.
C. The size of the borrower does not influence the result of the Altman Z score model.
D. The Altman Z score model always produces an exact reject or accept decision.
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
27. Consider the following data of a prospective borrower.
Current assets $120 000
Current liabilities $60 000
Total assets $500 000
Market value of equity $50 000
Book value of equity $60 000
Retained earnings $12 000
Interest expense $20 000
Profit before tax $200 000
Sales revenue $1 000 000
What is this company's Z score?
A. 2.70
B. 2.80
C. 2.90
D. 3.00
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
28. Consider the following data of a prospective borrower.
Working capital $50 000
Total assets $500 000
Market value of equity $40 000
Book value of long-term debt $360 000
Retained earnings $15 000
EBIT $250 000
Sales revenue $1 000 000
What is this company's Z score (round to two decimals)?
A. 3.78
B. 3.88
C. 3.98
D. 4.08
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
29. How would you interpret a Z score of 2.25?
A. The Z score lies within the 'safe' zone and thus a loan should be granted.
B. The Z score lies within the 'high default' zone and thus a loan should be granted.
C. The Z score lies within the 'zone of ignorance' and thus the borrower may or may not default.
D. The interpretation of the Z score is always dependent on an FI manager's subjective opinion.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
30. Assume the interest rate in the market for one-year zero-coupon government bonds is i = 8 per cent and the rate for
one-year zero-coupon grade BBB bonds is k = 10.2 per cent. What is the implied probability of repayment on the
corporate bond (round to two decimals)?
A. 2.00 per cent
B. 2.04 per cent
C. 97.96 per cent
D. 98.00 per cent
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
31. Assume the interest rate in the market for one-year zero-coupon government bonds is i = 7.5 per cent and the rate for
one-year zero-coupon grade BB bonds is k = 11.8 per cent. What is the implied probability of default on the corporate
bond (round to two decimals)?
A. 3.85 per cent
B. 4.00 per cent
C. 96.00 per cent
D. 96.15 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
32. Consider the case of a simple one-period framework. If i = 12.30 per cent and k = 13.87 per cent, what is the risk
premium on the corporate loan (round to two decimals)?
A. 13.87% – 12.30% = 1.57%.
B. 13.87% 12.30% = 0.0171 = 1.71%.
C. 13.87% / 12.30% = 1.13%.
D. The risk premium equals k = 13.87 per cent.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
33. Consider the case of a simple one-period framework. If i = 12.50 per cent, k = 14.85 per cent, p = 0.98, and = 0.85
what is the required risk premium (round to two decimals)?
A. 0.34 per cent
B. 0.35 per cent
C. 0.98 per cent
D. 2.35 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
34. Consider the case of ABC Company. The company's marginal probability of default in year 1 is 0.03 and 0.08 in year
2. What is ABC Company's cumulative default probability (round to two decimals)?
A. 14.00 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 99.76 per cent
D. 10.76 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
35. The current required yields on one- and two-year government bonds are i1 = 12 per cent and i2 = 13 per cent. What
are the market's expectations of the one-year forward rate, f1 (round to two decimals)?
A. 13.50 per cent
B. 14.00 per cent
C. 14.50 per cent
D. 15.00 per cent
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
36. Assume that i1 = 11 per cent and i2 = 12 per cent, and that k1 = 14.50 per cent and k2 = 16.50 per cent. What is the
expected probability of repayment on the one-year corporate bonds in one year's time (round to two decimals)?
A. 86.99 per cent
B. 81.47 per cent
C. 86.50 per cent
D. 95.34 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
37. Assume that f1 = 13.50 per cent and c1 = 17.40 per cent. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The expected default probability of repayment is 96.10 per cent.
B. The expected probability of repayment is 3.32 per cent.
C. The one-year rate expected on corporate securities one year into the future is 13.50 per cent.
D. The current one-year rate on corporate securities is 17.40 per cent.
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
38. Assume a $500 000 loan has a duration of 2.5 years. The current interest rate level is 10 per cent and a sudden
change in the credit premium of 1 per cent is expected. Further assume that the one-year income on the loan is $2500.
What is the loan's RAROC (round to two decimals)?
A. 10.00 per cent
B. 11.00 per cent
C. 22.00 per cent
D. 50.00 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
39. In the context of the KMV Credit Monitor Model, the market value of a risky loan made by a lender to a borrower can
be expressed as:
A. F(r) = Be–i/r[(1/d)N(h1) + N(h2)]
B. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)N(h1) + N(h2)]
C. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)– N(h1) + N(h2)]
D. F(r) = Be–ir[(1/d)N(h1) N(h2)]
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
40. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model compares loans with the pay-off functions of swaps.
B. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model uses rating migrations data to calculate hypothetical loan values.
C. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model discriminates between two types of borrowers, i.e. borrowers that are likely to
default and borrowers that are unlikely to default.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
41. Assume that B = $200 000, r = 1 year, i = 7 per cent, d = 0.9, N(h1) = 0.174120 and N(h2) = 0.793323. Using Moody's
KMV Credit Monitor Model, what is the current market value of the loan (round to two decimals)?
A. $184 015.32
B. $186 478.64
C. $200 000.00
D. $214 000.00
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
42. Assume that B = $200 000, r = 1 year, i = 7 per cent, d = 0.9, N(h1) = 0.174120 and N(h2) = 0.793323. Using Moody's
KMV Credit Monitor Model, what is the required risk premium on the loan (round to two decimal places)?
A. 0.13 per cent
B. 0.91 per cent
C. 1.64 per cent
D. 6.30 per cent
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
43. Non-performing loans are loans:
A. given out to corporations with low credit ratings.
B. that require re-evaluating of credit terms after every six months.
C. characterised by some type of default—from non-payment to delays in payment of interest and/or principal.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-01 Understand the importance of credit quality management by an FI.
44. Loan to value ratio is the:
A. loan amount divided by the book value of the property to be mortgaged.
B. loan amount divided by the perceived value of the property to be mortgaged.
C. investment amount divided by the appraised value of the property to be mortgaged.
D. loan amount divided by the appraised value of the property to be mortgaged.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
45. The key factors entering into the credit decision include:
A. borrower-specific factors that are idiosyncratic to the individual borrower.
B. market-specific factors that have an impact on all borrowers at the time of the credit decision.
C. global-economic factors that have an impact on all FI's at the time of credit decision.
D. borrower-specific factors that are idiosyncratic to the individual borrower and market-specific factors that have an
impact on all borrowers at the time of the credit decision.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
46. Credit scoring models include:
A. linear probability models.
B. logit models.
C. linear discriminant analysis.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
47. The linear probability model uses:
A. forecasted data, such as predicted future prices, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
B. current indices, such as consumer price index, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
C. past data, such as financial ratios, as inputs into a model to explain repayment experience on old loans.
D. None of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
48. Models of credit risk measurement include:
A. term structure of credit risk approach.
B. mortality rate approach
C. RAROC and option models.
D. All of the listed options are correct.
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
49. Compensating balance is a proportion of:
A. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at a correspondent bank.
B. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit in foreign reserves.
C. a loan that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at the lending institution.
D. the investment that a borrower is required to hold on deposit at the lending institution.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
50. Term structure of credit risk approach models are also known as:
A. reduced-form models.
B. mortality rate models.
C. RAROC models.
D. structural models.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
51. Banks have been partially responsible for big corporate collapses such as Enron.
TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-01 Understand the importance of credit quality management by an FI.
52. Credit card facilities is a revolving loan product.
TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 10-05 Identify consumer loans, such as personal loans and credit cards.
53. In its simplest form the rate on a loan is set as the base lending rate plus a credit risk premium.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns.
54. A borrower's leverage refers to the payment capacity, that is, the 'leverage' the borrower has to service its loans.
FALSE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk measurement.
55. The position of the business cycle in the economy is not important in assessing the default probability of a borrower.
FALSE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
56. By selecting and combining different economic and financial borrower characteristics, an FI manager may be able to
improve the pricing of default risk.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
57. Linear discriminant models rely on a company's forecasted financial data so that the FI manager is able to assess the
borrower's future payment ability.
FALSE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-09 Understand the key components of credit scoring and related models including Altman's Z-score model.
58. A company with an Altman Z score of 3.15 should not be granted a loan due to a high default probability.
FALSE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-09 Understand the key components of credit scoring and related models including Altman's Z-score model.
59. The zone of ignorance in the Altman Z score model indicates that it is difficult to predict whether or not the prospective
borrower will default in the future.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-09 Understand the key components of credit scoring and related models including Altman's Z-score model.
60. Using term structure derivation of credit risk on a one-year loan, it is possible to simply calculate the risk premium on
the loan by deducting the market rate for a one-year zero-coupon government bond from the market rate for a one-year
zero-coupon corporate bond of a credit rating equivalent to that of the prospective borrower.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
61. Mortality rates analyse historic default risk experience of bonds and loans of similar quality.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
63. Moody's KMV Credit Monitor Model compares loans with option payoffs.
TRUE
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more heavily based on finance theory.
64. Explain the major concept of Altman's linear discriminant model. What would you consider to be the major
disadvantages of this model?
Discriminant models divide borrowers into high or low default risk classes contingent on their observed characteristics
(Xj). Similar to linear probability models, linear discriminant models use past data as inputs into a model to explain
repayment experience on old loans. The relative importance of the factors used in explaining past repayment performance
then forecasts whether the loan falls into the high or low default class.
In Altman's linear discriminant model, the indicator variable Z is the overall measure of the default risk classification of a
borrower.This in turn depends on the values of various financial ratios of the borrower (Xj) and the weighted importance of
these ratios based on the past observed experience of defaulting versus non-defaulting borrowers derived from a
discriminant analysis model. According to Altman's credit scoring model, a score of less than 1.81 would place the
potential borrower into a high default risk category. Any score above 2.99 is regarded as a low default risk, while a score
between 1.81 and 2.99 is in the 'zone of ignorance', where a borrower may or may not default.
Several criticisms have been levied against linear discriminant models. First, the models identify only two extreme
categories of risk: default or no default. The real world considers several categories of default severity. Second, the
relative weights of the variables may change over time. Further, the actual variables to be included in the model may
change over time. Third, these models ignore important, hard-to-quantify factors that may play a crucial role in the default
or no default decision. For example, the reputation of the borrower and the nature of long-term borrower–lender
relationships could be important borrower-specific characteristics, as could macroeconomic factors, such as the phase of
the business cycle. Fourth, no centralised database on defaulted business loans for proprietary and other reasons exists.
This constrains the ability of many FIs to use traditional credit scoring models (and quantitative models in general) for
larger business loans.
The RAROC (risk-adjusted return on capital) model is a popular model used to evaluate (and price) credit risk based on
market data. The essential idea behind RAROC is that rather than evaluating the actual or contractually promised annual
ROA on a loan—that is, net interest and fees divided by the amount lent—the lending officer balances expected interest
and fee income against the loan's expected risk. Thus, rather than dividing annual loan income by assets lent, it is divided
by some measure of asset (loan) risk, or what is often called 'capital at risk', since (unexpected) loan losses have to be
written off against an FI's capital:
One version of the RAROC model uses the duration model to measure the change in the value of the loan for given
changes or shocks in credit quality. The change in credit quality (DR) is measured by finding the change in the spread in
yields between Treasury Bonds and corporate bonds of the same risk class on the loan. The actual value chosen is the
highest change in yield spread for the same maturity or duration value assets. In this case, DLN represents the change in
loan value or the change in capital for the largest reasonable adverse changes in yield spreads. The actual equation for
DLN looks very similar to the duration equation.
A loan is approved only if RAROC is sufficiently high relative to a benchmark return on capital (ROE) for the FI, where
ROE measures the return shareholders require on their equity investment in the FI. The idea here is that a loan should be
made only if the risk-adjusted return on the loan adds to the FI's equity value as measured by the ROE required by the
FI's shareholders. Alternatively, if the RAROC on an existing loan falls below an FI's RAROC benchmark, the lending
officer should seek to adjust the loan's terms to make it 'profitable' again. Therefore, RAROC serves as both a credit risk
measure and a loan pricing tool for the FI manager.
The KMV model uses an option pricing model (OPM) approach to extract the implied market value of assets and the asset
volatility of a given firm's assets. The KMV model uses the value of equity in a firm (from a shareholder's perspective) as
equivalent to holding a call option on the assets of the firm (with the amount of debt borrowed acting similar to the
exercise price of the call option). From this approach, and the link between the volatility of the market value of the firm's
equity and that of its assets, it is possible to derive the asset volatility (risk) of any given firm and the market value of the
firm's assets. Using the implied value of the asset volatility and the market value of assets, the likely distribution of
possible asset values of the firm relative to its current debt obligations and the expected default frequency (EDF) can be
calculated over the next year. The EDF reflects the probability that the market value of the firm's assets will fall below the
promised repayments on its short-term debt liabilities in one year. If the value of a firm's assets falls below its debt
liabilities, it can be viewed as being economically insolvent.
Category # of Questi
ons
Difficulty: Easy 9
Difficulty: Hard 14
Difficulty: Medium 40
Est time: 10-15 minutes 2
Est time: 5-10 mintutes 1
Learning Objective: 10-01 Understand the importance of credit quality management by an FI. 2
Learning Objective: 10-03 Understand the characteristics of business loans. 8
Learning Objective: 10-05 Identify consumer loans, such as personal loans and credit cards. 2
Learning Objective: 10-06 Learn how to price loans to achieve target expected returns. 8
Learning Objective: 10-07 Learn about the different models used to measure credit risk. 1
Learning Objective: 10-08 Understand the difference between qualitative models and quantitative models of credit risk 11
measurement.
Learning Objective: 10-09 Understand the key components of credit scoring and related models including Altman's Z- 5
score model.
Learning Objective: 10-10 Understand how more modern models of credit risk measurement and loan pricing are more 29
heavily based on finance theory.