Exposure versus the Attributable Amount 

Exposure basically refers to the amount subject to default risk. No further analysis takes place. Hence the exposure corresponds to the credit equivalent amount. The system can determine the attributable amount on the basis of the exposure. The attributable amount shows how high the risk is that arises from the transaction. If default was a certainty, then the exact amount of the exposure could be taken as the attributable amount (volume-oriented attributable amount). In reality, default is subject to certain laws of probability. These uncertainties are therefore reflected in the calculation of attributable amount by taking into account default quotas and repayment quotas, for example. This results in risk-oriented attributable amounts.

Depending upon the nature of the transaction itself, the system differentiates between the terms primary and secondary exposure, and primary and secondary attributable amounts. The primary transaction is the original transaction with the business partner. Secondary transactions are made only in the context of a particular primary transaction. Examples include collateral and facilities.

Depending on whether the risk-reducing effects of collateral are considered, a distinction can be made between net and gross for all concepts. Gross shows the maximum possible amount per partial transaction. For example, the net attributable amount of a transaction results from the gross attributable amount of the transaction minus the attributable amounts for the collateral that can be allocated to the transaction.

The system calculates attributable amounts for each individual transaction, irrespective of whether it is a primary or secondary transaction. Utilizations, or drawn amounts, are referred to at the level of the limits, which are defined by characteristics.