Journal of Operational Risk

Risk.net

Modeling multivariate operational losses via copula-based distributions with g-and-h marginals

Marco Bee and Julien Hambuckers

  • We develop a family of copula-based multivariate distributions with g-and-h marginal distributions.
  • A distribution based on a single copula is not flexible enough, and thus we model the dependence structure by means of vine copulas.
  • Losses in different event types are found to be dependent, but the assumption of perfect positive dependence is not supported by our analysis.
  • At high confidence levels, the value-at-risk of the total loss distribution obtained from the copula-based technique is substantially smaller with respect to the sum of the univariate value-at-risks.

We propose a family of copula-based multivariate distributions with g-and-h marginals. After studying the properties of the distribution, we develop a two-step estimation strategy and analyze via simulation the sampling distribution of the estimators. The methodology is used for the analysis of a seven-dimensional data set containing 40 871 operational losses. The empirical evidence suggests that a distribution based on a single copula is not flexible enough, and thus we model the dependence structure by means of vine copulas. We show that the approach based on regular vines improves the fit. Moreover, even though losses corresponding to different event types are found to be dependent, the assumption of perfect positive dependence is not supported by our analysis. As a result, the value-at-risk of the total operational loss distribution obtained from the copula-based technique is substantially smaller at high confidence levels with respect to the one obtained using the common practice of summing the univariate value-at-risks.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here