Value-at-risk (VAR)
Risk and probability measures
Although its drawbacks are well known, VAR has become institutionalised as the market risk measure of choice among trading firms and regulators. Now there is a growing feeling that a reappraisal is overdue, exemplified here by Phelim Boyle, Tak Kuen Siu…
The maturity effect on credit risk capital
In a mark-to-market approach to credit risk capital, ratings or spread volatility has the effect of making longer-maturity loans more capital-intensive. This is incorporated in the current Basel II proposals via a maturity adjustment factor. Arguing that…
Testing assumptions
In calculating value-at-risk forecasts for trading portfolios, distributional assumptions are asimportant as the choice of risk factors, but it is not easy to determine the source of errorwhen rejected forecasts occur. Here, Jeremy Berkowitz develops a…
Honour your contribution
What is the best method for determining the risk contribution of a component in a portfolio? An exploration of the pros and cons of three important methods, showing that none dominates the others.
Analytical approach to credit risk modelling
The increasing popularity of VAR-based credit portfolio risk models has led to a growing recognition that Monte Carlo techniques are inadequate for economic capital calculations. Here, Michael Pykhtin and Ashish Dev present a new analytical alternative…
Op risk modelling evolves
Operational risk is devilishly difficult to model, but dealers and software vendors are making headway. Automated op risk reporting, profiling and sophisticated operational value-at-risk (VAR) modelling are finally beginning to catch-on in banks.
Dealers' VAR increases during 2001, says BofE report
Average value-at-risk (VAR) levels among leading dealers has increased over 2001, but despite increased vol across equity and rates markets post-September 11, large trading losses appear to have been avoided, according to the Bank of England’s Financial…
Style-based value-at-risk for UK equities
Risk measures
SAP makes play for risk territory
German software giant SAP is making a firm move into the risk management industry with the further development of its range of industry solutions. The Waldorf-based firm has already developed credit and market risk components for the financial services…
VAR: who contributes and how much?
Portfolio risk management
Bound to rebalance
Investment management