Recovery Rates of Commercial Lending: Empirical evidence for German companies

by Jens Grunert of University of Tuebingen, and
Martin Weber of University of Mannheim & Centre for Economic Policy Research

October 2007

Abstract: There are very few studies concerning the recovery rate of bank loans. Prediction models of recovery rates are increasing in importance because of the Basel II-framework, the impact on credit risk management, and the calculation of loan rates. In this study, we focus the analyses on the distribution of recovery rates and the impact of the quota of collateral, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the size of the company and the intensity of the client relationship on the recovery rate. All our hypotheses can be confirmed. A higher quota of collateral leads to a higher recovery rate, whereas the risk premium of the borrower and the size of the company is negatively related to the recovery rate. Borrowers with an intense client relationship with the bank exhibit a higher recovery rate.

JEL Classification: G21, G28.

Keywords: Credit risk, Bank loans, Recovery rate.

Published in: Journal of Banking & Finance, Vol. 33, No. 3, (March 2009), pp. 505-513.

Previously titled: Recovery Rates of Bank Loans: Empirical Evidence for Germany

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