Risikopåslag

Risikopåslag, often translated as risk premium or risk margin, is an additional amount added to a base interest rate or price to compensate for the perceived risk associated with a transaction or investment. In essence, it is the extra return an investor expects to receive for taking on a greater level of uncertainty compared to a risk-free investment.

The concept is fundamental in finance and economics. For instance, when a bank lends money, it typically charges a base interest rate, which might be linked to a central bank's policy rate or a benchmark like LIBOR. To this base rate, the bank adds a risikopåslag to account for the borrower's creditworthiness. A borrower with a history of late payments or a weak financial standing will likely face a higher risikopåslag than a borrower with an excellent credit score.

Similarly, in the investment world, bonds issued by governments with stable economies are considered less risky than those issued by governments with volatile economies. Consequently, investors demand a higher yield, which includes a risikopåslag, for investing in the riskier government bonds. The risikopåslag reflects the probability of default or other adverse events.

The size of the risikopåslag is determined by various factors, including the specific characteristics of the risk, market conditions, and the risk appetite of the party bearing the risk. A higher perceived risk will generally lead to a larger risikopåslag. Understanding risikopåslag is crucial for both lenders and investors as it directly influences borrowing costs and investment returns.