The enhanced capital notes (ECNs) will be converted to ordinary shares if the core tier 1 capital
ratio falls below 5%. Not only the unprecedented size for contingent capital issuance but also the
government's big stake in the company made this transaction very special. Contingent capital is
considered more favorable than old-fashioned hybrid securities such as convertible bonds and
preferred shares under stressed scenarios. These traditional hybrid securities are not as good as
contingent capital instruments in loss absorbing.
In addition to conversion to equity if the trigger event happens, some other arrangements were
also tried. In 2010, Rabobank issued a €1.25 billion 10-year Senior Contingent Note. Once the
capital ratio falls below 7%, the face amount will be written down to 25% and paid back to
investors. Liability value will be reduced if the trigger event happens, which effectively is a capital
injection. This is different from contingent convertible bonds, where only the debt/equity ratio
changes but the amount of capital remains the same if conversion is made at market price.
The €500 million deal of contingent convertible bonds between Allianz and Nippon Life in mid-
2011 demonstrated the high interest of the insurance industry in using contingent capital to improve
its capital position and reduce its risk exposure.
Not only banks and insurance companies but other financial institutes have used contingent
capital. In the merger of Yorkshire Building Society and Chelsea Building Society in 2009, £200
million subordinated securities of Chelsea Building Society were planned in exchange for contingent
convertible bonds. Once the core tier 1 capital ratio falls below 5%, they will automatically be
converted into equity