Probability of default estimation in credit risk using mixture cure models

Abstract

An estimator of the probability of default (PD) in credit risk is proposed. It is derived from a nonparametric conditional survival function estimator based on cure models. Asymptotic expressions for the bias and the variance, as well as the asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator are presented. A simulation study shows the performance of the nonparametric estimator compared with Beran’s PD estimator and other semiparametric methods. Finally, an empirical study based on modified real data illustrates the practical behaviour.