The main challenge of forecasting credit default risk in loan portfolios is forecasting the default probabilities and the default correlations. We derive a Merton-style threshold-value model for the default probability which treats the asset value of a firm as unknown and uses a factor model instead. In addition, we demonstrate how default correlations can be easily modeled. The empirical analysis is based on a large data set of German firms provided by Deutsche Bundesbank. We find that the inclusion of variables which are correlated with the business cycle improves the forecasts of default probabilities. Asset and default correlations depend on the factors used to model default probabilities. The better the point-in-time calibration of the estimated default probabilities, the smaller the estimated correlations. Thus, correlations and default probabilities should always be estimated simultaneously.
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Find related papers by JEL classification: C41 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Duration Analysis G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Mortgages C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data
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