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The agency of CoCos: Why contingent convertible bonds are not for everyone

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  • Goncharenko, Roman
  • Ongena, Steven
  • Rauf, Asad

Abstract

Some regulators grant contingent convertible bonds (CoCos) the status of “going-concern” capital. Theory, however, suggests that CoCos can induce debt overhang, thereby amplifying the leverage ratchet effect. In this paper, we provide empirical evidence consistent with this theory. Our results suggest that banks with more volatile assets (riskier banks) (i) are less likely to issue CoCos, (ii) conditional on having CoCos outstanding are less likely to issue equity, and (iii) prefer issuing equity over CoCos. Since riskier banks suffer from more debt overhang it is more costly for them to issue CoCos.

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  • Goncharenko, Roman & Ongena, Steven & Rauf, Asad, 2021. "The agency of CoCos: Why contingent convertible bonds are not for everyone," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinin:v:48:y:2021:i:c:s104295732030036x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfi.2020.100882
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    Cited by:

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    2. Castrén, Olli & Kavonius, Ilja Kristian & Rancan, Michela, 2022. "Digital currencies in financial networks," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    3. Mahmoud Fatouh & Ioana Neamtu & Sweder van Wijnbergen, 2022. "Risk-Taking, Competition and Uncertainty: Do Contingent Convertible (CoCo) Bonds Increase the Risk Appetite of Banks?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-017/IV, Tinbergen Institute.
    4. Raviv, Alon & Hilscher, Jens & Peleg Lazar, Sharon, 2021. "Designing bankers' pay: Using contingent capital to reduce risk-shifting," MPRA Paper 106596, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Pierluigi Bologna & Arianna Miglietta & Anatoli Segura, 2020. "Contagion in the CoCos Market? A Case Study of Two Stress Events," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 16(6), pages 137-184, December.
    6. Michael Sigmund & Kevin Zimmermann, 2021. "Determinants of Contingent Convertible Bond Coupon Rates of Banks: An Empirical Analysis (Michael Sigmund, Kevin Zimmermann)," Working Papers 236, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank).
    7. Kund, Arndt-Gerrit & Hertrampf, Patrick & Neitzert, Florian, 2023. "Bail-in requirements and CoCo bond issuance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    8. Javadi, Siamak & Li, Weiping & Nejadmalayeri, Ali, 2023. "Contingent capital conversion under dual asset and equity jump–diffusions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    9. Allen, Linda & Golfari, Andrea, 2023. "Do CoCos serve the goals of macroprudential supervisors or bank managers?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    10. Fatouh, Mahmoud & Neamțu, Ioana & van Wijnbergen, Sweder, 2021. "Risk-taking and uncertainty: do contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds increase the risk appetite of banks?," Bank of England working papers 938, Bank of England.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CoCos; Contingent convertible bonds; Bank capital structure; Debt overhang; Basel III;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage

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