CoCo

Gaurav Toshniwal:

Two issues related to financial regulation have received significant academic and regulatory attention since the financial crisis: Contingent Convertible Bonds (“CoCos”) and banker compensation. The discussion, however, has largely been silent on the interaction between the two. This brief note explores the potential conflicts that may exist in the design and implementation of CoCos because of the incentive structure created by managerial compensation. Regulators, academics and market participants will need to address these concerns in designing the regulatory framework for CoCo instruments and managerial compensation.