While credit ratings are important for assessing the creditworthiness
for both banks and individuals, they are often not enough to minimize
the risk inherent in lending. Credit risk management
has evolved to a point where it’s now possible for a sophisticated
software program to assess the risk of taking on debt, investing in
businesses, and carrying long-term debts for investment purposes. This
type of analysis is especially useful for banks since banks rely on
investment income from loan activity.
Lending software, and loan portfolio management
after the loan has been issued, can analyze all of the interest rates
in the market place, assess the risk of default in a loan portfolio, and
help banks and other financial institutions make intelligent decisions
about long-term portfolio allocation.
It’s not enough to shake hands with clients and trust that their
business is viable. Loans are often sold, resold, and packaged with
other investments to form complex investment products. These derivatives
sometimes require constant monitoring so that financial institutions
don’t expose themselves to undue risks. The unfortunate truth is that
lax credit standards for borrowers and counterparties is still the
biggest hurdle for many institutions. While the primary issue for banks
is credit default, banks (and other financial institutions) also face
risks associated with trading. So, even if a bank isn’t making loans
directly to the marketplace, it still faces potential credit risk from
investments in other banks’ loan activity.
One reason that software is becoming more important in managing
credit risk is the sheer size of the market. The global credit market is
incredibly complex. Financial institutions are forced to pay attention
to many different economies, markets, and foreign as well as domestic
regulations. While credit risk management software won’t solve every
problem, it will help mitigate the risk of portfolio turnover (i.e.
defaults) while providing key information and metrics necessary for
financial institutions to better diversify their holdings.
There are essentially two steps that financial institutions need to take to shore up their portfolio:
1) Assess their current exposure to high risk loans and;
2) Hire a company that can provide comprehensive analysis and software package to better manage credit risks.
2) Hire a company that can provide comprehensive analysis and software package to better manage credit risks.
While it’s possible for a bank to build an in-house custom solution,
it’s unnecessary. Entire firms already exist to assess and manage credit
risks. An outside firm can provide the needed objectivity,
stress-testing, and in-depth data analysis that a bank needs. Like a
good friend who’s willing to tell someone “inconvenient truths,” an
independent firm can keep a bank honest and improve long-term portfolio
performance.