Subordinated bond

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A Subordinated bond is a bond that has a lower priority than other bonds of the issuer in case of liquidation during bankruptcy. In case of liquidation, there is a hierarchy of creditors. First the liquidator is paid, then government taxes, and so on. The first bond holders in line to be paid are those holding what is called senior bonds. After they have been paid, the subordinated bond holders are paid. As a result, the risk is higher.

Subordinated bonds usually have a lower credit rating then senior bonds. The main examples of subordinated bonds can be found in bonds issued by banks, and asset-backed securities. The latter are often issued in tranches. The senior tranches get paid back first, the subordinated tranches later.

Subordinated bonds are regularly issued as part of the securitization of debt, such as asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations or collateralized debt obligations. Corporate issuers tend to prefer not to issue subordinated bonds because of the higher interest rate required to compensate for the higher risk, but may be forced to do so if indentures on earlier issues mandate their status as senior bonds.

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