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How costly is corporate bankruptcy for the CEO?

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  • Eckbo, B Espen
  • Thorburn, Karin S
  • Wang, Wei

Abstract

We examine CEO career and compensation changes for firms filing for Chapter 11. One-third of the incumbent CEOs maintain executive employment, and these CEOs experience a median compensation change of zero. However, incumbent CEOs leaving the executive labor market suffer a compensation loss with a median present value until age 65 of $7 million (five times pre-departure compensation). The likelihood of leaving decreases with profitability and CEO share ownership. Furthermore, creditor control rights during bankruptcy (through debtor-in-possession financing and large trade credits) appear to effect CEO career change. Despite large equity losses (median $11 million for incumbents who stay until filing), the median incumbent does not reduce his stock ownership as the firm approaches bankruptcy.

Suggested Citation

  • Eckbo, B Espen & Thorburn, Karin S & Wang, Wei, 2015. "How costly is corporate bankruptcy for the CEO?," CEPR Discussion Papers 10985, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10985
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Career change; Ceo compensation; Labor market capital; Personal bankruptcy costs; Turnover; Wealth loss;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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