Suppose That ABSs Are Created from Portfolios of Subprime Mortgages

question 4

Multiple Choice

Suppose that ABSs are created from portfolios of subprime mortgages with the following allocation of the principal to tranches: senior 85%,mezzanine 10%,and equity 5%.(The portfolios of subprime mortgages have the same default rates.) An ABS CDO is then created from the mezzanine tranches with the same allocation of principal.How high can losses on the mortgages be before the senior tranche of the ABS CDO bears losses?

• A) 5.5%
• B) 6.0%
• C) 6.5%
• D) 7.0%

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Definitions:

Contract Amount

The total financial obligation or the sum involved in a contract agreed upon by the parties.

Service of Process

The procedure by which a party to a lawsuit gives an appropriate notice of initial legal action to another party (such as a defendant), court, or administrative body to exercise jurisdiction over that person so as to enable that person to respond to the proceeding.

Intended Beneficiary

An individual or entity explicitly chosen to benefit from a contract, even though they are not a direct party to the agreement.

Incidental Beneficiary

A third party who benefits from a contract between two other parties, even though the benefit was not the contract’s primary purpose or intention.