Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to verify recovery risk management capabilities by lessors. It tests several hypotheses and finds out interesting specific results for lessors. Design/methodology/approach -The approach is empirical: two different database of leasing contracts are analysed with econometric methodologies. Findings -There is clear evidence that: lessors are ex ante able to balance the probability of default and the loss given default case by case, using proper contract structures; and they carefully manage recovery procedures and strategies according to operations' characteristics. Research limitations/implications -The data used are large enough, but come from institutions concentrated in Italy. Future research could be extended to other relevant countries. Practical implications - Results presented are verified in leasing companies which made a limited use of rating systems and credit risk model: they have been achieved by the continuous improvements of traditional lending practices. The development of modern reliable systems can enhance risk management capabilities; our findings can help building more structured and advanced credit risk management tools. Originality/value -The paper adds to the literature in the sense that gives clear evidence of a neglected but important fact of real world credit markets: financial intermediaries have the capability of properly assessing risk components and manage loss given default (LGD) in order to control overall credit risk.
