medium · FRM Part 2 Credit Risk

A bank calculates the capital requirement for a corporate loan using the Merton model framework. The firm has assets V_0 =140m, debt face valueF = 100m due in 1 year, and asset volatility σ_V = 25%. The risk-free rate is r = 4.0% (continuous).

If the bank mistakenly uses the firm's equity volatility σ_E in the d_2 formula instead of σ_V, what is the likely impact on the calculated Probability of Default (PD)?

  1. The PD will be unchanged because the Merton model is homogeneous of degree one in volatility.
  2. The PD will be understated because the debt face value F acts as a buffer.
  3. The PD will be overstated because σ_E includes the default risk premium while σ_V does not.
  4. The PD will be significantly overstated because σ_E > σ_V for a levered firm.

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