Worked case · Controlled response · 12 figures

Terms change the risk path

Model terms and behavior together

Figure 01 / 12

Separate probability, severity, and exposure

Separate probability, severity, and exposure — Terms change the risk path. One-year synthetic credit case. Exact values are in the figure data below.
One-year synthetic credit case

The simplified one-year expected loss is PD × LGD × EAD = $5,820.10. PD is 7.15%, LGD is 44.00%, and EAD is $185,000. This is a teaching expected-value calculation, not an accounting allowance method or a capital standard.

Figure data and text version
InputValueUnit
PD7.15Percent over one year
LGD44Percent of exposure lost conditional on default
EAD185,000USD at default
Expected loss5,820.1USD over the stated horizon

Amount, payment schedule, and duration affect utilization and repayment pressure. Eligibility alone does not describe the offer that the customer actually receives.

Evaluate the offered terms and exposure trajectory together with the borrower evidence.

All amounts, rates, capacity limits, and outcomes in this case are synthetic. The three conditions are separate assumptions for comparison. A better result in the response condition is not measured proof that the proposed control causes that improvement. The figures expose the calculation and its limits; a real deployment needs its own evidence.

Read the result

The case has $185,000 of exposure. Its stated one-year PD and LGD imply $5,820.10 of expected loss, while the cover analysis leaves $128,750.00 of stress exposure. Monthly cash coverage is 0.91×. These are separate measures: one describes an average under probability assumptions, one describes available cover, and one describes a period’s funding capacity.

Model inputs and calculated values

Inputs below are the case-specific values. Each figure states the condition-specific assumptions and units used in its calculation. Calculated values are rounded for display.

InputValue
exposure185,000
pd0.065
cash14,500
debtService15,000
collateral55,000
Calculated valueResult
ead185,000
pd0.0715
lgd0.44
expectedLoss5,820.1
eligibleCover41,250
reserve15,000
uncovered128,750
cash13,630
debt15,000
dscr0.9087
Figure 02 / 12

Probability and severity move the result together

Probability and severity move the result together — Terms change the risk path. USD expected loss; fixed exposure. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD expected loss; fixed exposure

Each cell is the same exposure multiplied by the row default probability and the column loss severity. The grid makes joint stress visible. A downturn can affect both factors; the calculation does not assume that the two causes are independent.

Figure data and text version
PDLGD 25%LGD 50%LGD 75%
2%9251,8502,775
5%2,312.54,6256,937.5
10%4,6259,25013,875
20%9,25018,50027,750
Figure 03 / 12

Recorded collateral and eligible cover

Recorded collateral and eligible cover — Terms change the risk path. USD; some measures overlap. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD; some measures overlap

The collateral record is $55,000, but a 25% illustrative haircut leaves $41,250.00 eligible in this scenario. Reserve cover adds $15,000. The resulting uncovered exposure is $128,750.00. Eligibility also needs enforceability and operational access; this arithmetic does not establish either.

Figure data and text version
MeasureUSD
Recorded collateral55,000
Eligible collateral41,250
Recorded reserve15,000
Combined usable cover56,250
Uncovered exposure128,750
Figure 04 / 12

Cash available for the period’s debt service

Cash available for the period’s debt service — Terms change the risk path. USD for one month. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD for one month

Defined cash available is $13,630.00 against $15,000.00 of debt service, for a 0.91× ratio. The ratio uses one period and one defined cash measure. It does not establish affordability, suitability, or a required underwriting threshold.

Figure data and text version
ComponentUSDMeaning
Cash available13,630After the expenses included in this illustration
Debt service15,000Principal and interest due in the same period
Cash after debt service-1,370Negative means a modeled shortfall
Figure 05 / 12

A constant-hazard illustration

A constant-hazard illustration — Terms change the risk path. Percent of an initial synthetic cohort. Exact values are in the figure data below.
Percent of an initial synthetic cohort

The curve converts the stated one-year PD of 7.15% to a constant monthly hazard using h = 1 − (1 − PD)^(1/12). Survival after 12 months is therefore 1 − PD. Constant hazard is an assumption; seasonality and changing exposure are omitted. Horizontal positions are the labeled observations or scenarios; equal spacing does not imply equal numerical increments.

Figure data and text version
Months since startSurvival %
M0100
M298.77
M497.56
M696.36
M895.17
M1094.01
M1292.85
Figure 06 / 12

Cumulative expected loss at comparable age

Cumulative expected loss at comparable age — Terms change the risk path. Cumulative expected USD; fixed exposure. Exact values are in the figure data below.
Cumulative expected USD; fixed exposure

This curve multiplies cumulative modeled default probability by a fixed EAD and LGD. It is useful for separating observation age from the chosen assumptions. It omits amortization, recoveries over time, prepayment, and changing utilization. Horizontal positions are the labeled observations or scenarios; equal spacing does not imply equal numerical increments.

Figure data and text version
AgeExpected USD
M00
M21,000.25
M41,988.2
M62,964.01
M83,927.84
M104,879.82
M125,820.1
Figure 07 / 12

Expected loss sensitivity to PD

Expected loss sensitivity to PD — Terms change the risk path. USD; LGD and EAD held fixed. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD; LGD and EAD held fixed

Exposure stays at $185,000 and LGD stays at 44.00% while PD changes. The linear relationship follows the simplified expected-loss formula. It is not evidence that real-world losses respond linearly to economic stress. Horizontal positions are the labeled observations or scenarios; equal spacing does not imply equal numerical increments.

Figure data and text version
One-year PDExpected USD
1%814
3%2,442
5%4,070
8%6,512
12%9,768
20%16,280
Figure 08 / 12

A shared dependency can dominate exposure

A shared dependency can dominate exposure — Terms change the risk path. USD; buckets sum to total exposure. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD; buckets sum to total exposure

The four amounts are disjoint portions of this case’s exposure. The largest bucket represents one shared supplier, funding source, or other specified dependency. Counting customers alone would not reveal this common loss driver.

Figure data and text version
Dependency bucketExposure USD
borrower seasonal revenue — primary74,000
Independent group B55,500
Independent group C37,000
Independent group D18,500
Figure 09 / 12

A weak month can disappear inside an average

A weak month can disappear inside an average — Terms change the risk path. USD per month. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD per month

The six-month path applies explicit seasonal factors to the defined monthly cash amount and compares it with fixed debt service. These are constructed cash assumptions, not a forecast. A negative month needs a funding or terms response even when the average ratio looks comfortable. Horizontal positions are the labeled observations or scenarios; equal spacing does not imply equal numerical increments.

Figure data and text version
MonthCash availableDebt service
M19,54115,000
M211,585.515,000
M314,99315,000
M412,26715,000
M517,71915,000
M615,674.515,000
Figure 10 / 12

Terms belong in the decision record

Terms belong in the decision record — Terms change the risk path. Synthetic underwriting record. Exact values are in the figure data below.
Synthetic underwriting record

This record concerns model terms and behavior together. A binary approval omits the amount, observation horizon, cover assumptions, and review trigger. Retaining those terms makes the decision reproducible and identifies when changed facts require another assessment.

Figure data and text version
FieldIllustrative value
entityTerms change the risk path
exposure_usd185,000
horizonOne year for PD; one month for cash coverage
pd_percent7.15
lgd_percent44
review_triggerA shorter term raises the required payment beyond the weak month’s cash capacity.
Figure 11 / 12

One cause can affect several loss components

One cause can affect several loss components — Terms change the risk path. Scenario logic. Exact values are in the figure data below.
Scenario logic

The stress path connects borrower seasonal revenue to repayment cash, default probability, recovery, and funding needs. Arrows state the scenario’s assumed causal chain. They are hypotheses to test with evidence, not proof that every affected customer will default.

Figure data and text version
StageMechanism
Dependency shockA shorter term raises the required payment beyond the weak month’s cash capacity.
Cash pressureReceipts fall or essential payments move earlier
Default and severityRepayment probability and recovery can both worsen
ResponseReassess terms, usable cover, and exposure within the approved process
Figure 12 / 12

Expected loss, uncovered exposure, and cash gap

Expected loss, uncovered exposure, and cash gap — Terms change the risk path. USD; distinct horizons and meanings. Exact values are in the figure data below.
USD; distinct horizons and meanings

Expected loss ($5,820.10), uncovered exposure ($128,750.00), and monthly cash gap ($1,370.00) answer different questions. The bars are deliberately separated measures and must not be added. A low expected value can coexist with a large stress exposure.

Figure data and text version
MeasureUSD
Expected one-year loss5,820.1
Uncovered stress exposure128,750
Monthly cash gap1,370

Connect the result to the system

Evaluate the offered terms and exposure trajectory together with the borrower evidence.

Check the population, evidence, permitted action, and actual effect together. A balanced calculation can still use the wrong population; a successful response can still leave an unknown financial outcome. The case’s numerical result applies only to its stated assumptions.

Sources and further reading

The chapter sources support the concepts and scope. They do not prescribe the synthetic model rates.

  1. OCC Comptroller’s Handbook: rating credit risk
  2. Regulation B, 12 CFR 1002.6: evaluation of applications