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Debt Contract, Strategic Default, and Optimal Penalties with Judgement Errors

Author

Listed:
  • David Alary

    (University Paris Dauphine)

  • Christian Gollier

    (University of Toulouse)

Abstract

We characterize the competitive equilibrium on the credit market when borrowers can strategically default. We assume that the audit is subject of errors of the two types and that lenders cannot commit ex-ante. We determine the penalty, the loan rate, the audit and strategic default probabilities. Borrowers' limited liability is endogenous when "judicial errors" exist, strategic default appears at equilibrium depending on the borrowers' absolute risk aversion. We show that at equilibrium loan contracts exhibit a penalty such that borrowers never strategically default. This is true with IARA and CARA utility function. Finally, we show that with DARA, strategic default may exist.

Suggested Citation

  • David Alary & Christian Gollier, 2004. "Debt Contract, Strategic Default, and Optimal Penalties with Judgement Errors," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 5(2), pages 357-372, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuf:journl:y:2004:v:5:i:2:p:357-372
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Duncan, Alfred J. M. & Nolan, Charles, 2019. "Disputes, debt and equity," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 14(3), July.
    3. Ferreira-Filho, Joaquim Bento de Souza & Horridge, Mark, 2010. "Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Internal Migrations in Brazil," Conference papers 331926, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    4. Weiye Cheny, 2018. "Optimal Mechanism Design with Resale: An Ex-Ante Price Default Model," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 18-24, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    5. Samaresh Bardhan & Vivekananda Mukherjee, 2013. "Willful Default In Developing Country Banking System: A Theoretical Exercise," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 38(4), pages 101-121, December.
    6. Duncan, Alfred & Nolan, Charles, 2014. "Disputes, Debt and Equity," 2007 Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2007, Portland, Oregon TN 2015-29, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    7. Ming Chang & Chiu Lin & Dachrahn Wu, 2008. "Piracy and limited liability," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 95(1), pages 25-53, October.
    8. Jarko Fidrmuc & Pavel Ciaian & d'Artis Kancs & Jan Pokrivcak, 2013. "Credit Constraints, Heterogeneous Firms and Loan Defaults," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 14(1), pages 53-68, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Strategic default; Imperfect audit; Fine; Consumer credit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D18 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Protection
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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