The Imitation Game: The Imitation Game: How Encouraging Renegotiation Makes Good Borrowers Bad

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Flynn, Sean; Ghent, Andra; Tchistyi, Alexei
• 署名单位: Cornell University; Utah System of Higher Education; University of Utah
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0893-9454
• DOI: 10.1093/rfs/hhae060
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 3648
• 关键词: Strategic default; debt; foreclosure; POLICY

摘要

We show that commercial mortgage borrowers behave opportunistically to attempt to obtain principal reductions. We develop a model in which lenders cannot perfectly observe borrowers' use values and renegotiation is costly. We then exploit a tax rule change that reduced the cost of renegotiation. Consistent with the model predictions, borrowers with high private use values of the property are more likely to transfer into special servicing when lenders have a higher capacity to negotiate principal reductions after the rule change. Our results suggest adverse consequences of principal forgiveness for lenders.