Working Paper Series Bank stability and market discipline: The effect of contingent capital on risk taking and default probability

This paper investigates the effects of financial institutions issuing contingent capital, a debt security that automatically converts into equity if assets fall below a predetermined threshold. We analyze a tractable form of contingent convertible bonds (“coco”) and provide a closed-form solution for the price. We quantify the reduction in default probability associated with contingent capital as compared to subordinated debt. We then show that appropriate choice of contingent capital parameters (conversion ratio and threshold) can virtually eliminate stockholders’incentives to risk-shift, a motivation that is present when bank liabilities instead include either only equity or subordinated debt. Importantly, risk-taking incentives continue to be weak during times of financial distress. Our findings imply that contingent capital may be an effective tool for stabilizing financial institutions. JEL Classification: G13, G21, G28, E58