A double obstacle model for pricing bi-leg defaultable interest rate swaps

Abstract

Two mathematical models under so-called intensity and structure frameworks to pricing a double defaultable interest rate swap are established. The default could happen or jump to a high probability in both fixed and floating parties on the predetermined boundaries. The models lead to a new and interesting mathematical problem. As the intensity approaches infinity in designated regions, the solutions of the intensity models converge to a solution of a structure-type model which is an initial value problem of a partial differential equation coupled with two obstacles problem in their restricted regions. According to the value of the fixed rate, three cases are discussed. The free boundary that determines the swap rate and the free boundaries that determine the earlier termination of the contract (due to counterparty’s default) are analysed.