Large banks have been an important pillar of the financial system and a central component of the economic cycle for decades. These banks have a high market position and a strong customer base, which means they can offer an extensive range of financial products.
One such option is subordinated bonds, which offer attractive return potential due to their special structure. These bonds are a type of debt security that is serviced only after the bank’s other liabilities have been settled. As a result, they have a higher risk, but this is offset by higher interest rates. For investors, this can be a lucrative option as it offers a higher return compared to other investment options.
This study examines various aspects of subordinated bonds issued by large banks, such as their structure, benefits and risks, and prospects and opportunities for investors. The results show that subordinated bonds can play an important role as an investment option to diversify investors’ portfolios and generate attractive returns. The study concludes that investors looking for high-yield investment opportunities should consider investing in subordinated bonds issued by large banks.

What are subordinated bonds?
Subordinated bonds are a type of bond that, in the event of the issuer’s insolvency, are only serviced after all other liabilities have been serviced. This means that in the event of insolvency, the risk for subordinated bondholders is higher than for holders of other types of bonds.
Large banks have increasingly issued subordinated bonds in recent years to strengthen their equity and better prepare for a potential crisis. These bonds usually offer investors a higher yield than other bonds due to the increased risk involved.

Investors should be aware that subordinated bonds are not suitable for everyone and that careful consideration of the risk is required. One way to minimize risk is to invest in subordinated bonds from reputable issuers with good credit ratings.
- Among the well-known issuers of subordinated bonds are:
- Deutsche Bank
- Commerzbank
- UBS
- HSBC
The choice of a suitable issuer and bond requires a comprehensive analysis of the company’s financial situation and the general market environment. Investors should therefore conduct careful research and seek professional advice if necessary.

Popularity of subordinated bonds among investors
Subordinated bonds are very popular with investors these days. The main reason for this is their prospect of a good yield. These bonds are issued by large financial institutions, such as major banks, and offer investors a higher interest rate compared to other safe forms of investment. Investors can therefore benefit from a higher interest income.
In addition, subordinated bonds also offer investors greater security than equities, as they are preferentially serviced in the event of the issuer’s insolvency. While holders of shares often go home empty-handed in the event of a company’s insolvency, investors in subordinated bonds often still have a chance to get their money back.
Subordinated bonds are also an important part of diversification strategies. Investors can diversify their portfolio with the help of these bonds and thus reduce risk. Subordinated bonds are particularly attractive in times of high market uncertainty, as they can bring a degree of stability to the portfolio.
- High yield
- Better security
- Diversification
Major banks take advantage of the popularity of subordinated bonds by using them as financial instruments for their own funding. By issuing subordinated bonds, a bank can strengthen its capital and reduce its debt at the same time. Investors benefit from the good yield opportunities offered by the bonds and the bank can plan its financing over the long term.
All in all, subordinated bonds are an attractive option for investors who want to diversify their portfolio and are looking for higher returns. The popularity of this type of investment will continue to grow in the current environment, as it offers investors an interesting alternative to other, more secure investments.
Letter to the Editor: Subordinated bonds – watch out for the risks!
Investing in subordinated bonds issued by major banks can be a promising way to generate good returns. However, there are also risks that investors should be aware of. A major risk of investing in subordinated bonds is the high risk of loss in the event of the bank’s insolvency.
Other risks include changes in market conditions, which may have an impact on the bank’s credit rating. In addition, the maturity of the bonds can have a negative impact on the return. Since subordinated bonds are at the bottom of the insolvency hierarchy, investors must wait for their returns until other creditors have been compensated.
Another important factor is the creditworthiness of the issuing bank. A deterioration in creditworthiness can lead to subordinated bonds being devalued or interest no longer being paid. For this reason, investors should regularly monitor the creditworthiness of the bank.
In summary, investing in subordinated bonds issued by large banks can be associated with good return opportunities, but also involves significant risk. Investors should therefore in any case obtain sufficient information and weigh the risks against each other.
- High risk of loss in the event of insolvency
- Maturity and yield can be negatively affected
- Deterioration in the creditworthiness of the banks can lead to devaluation of the bonds or failure to make interest payments
The role of major banks in issuing subordinated bonds
The market for subordinated bonds has grown strongly in recent years and major banks play an important role in issuing such bonds. Subordinated bonds are usually issued by companies to secure long-term financing. However, this type of bond involves higher risks and therefore offers higher yields.
Large banks, with their extensive network of investors and expertise, play an important role in issuing such bonds. They act as an intermediary between the companies and the investors and can thus facilitate the issuance of the bonds. As a rule, investors trust the creditworthiness of major banks as issuers and thus expect higher yields.
The advantages of subordinated bonds include that they are more flexible than other financing options and that they often come with higher yields. Although these types of bonds are exposed to higher risks, they can be a good option for investors who are willing to take on more risk.
The bottom line is that big banks play a central role in issuing subordinated bonds and can help companies secure long-term financing by luring investors with higher yields. However, investors need to carefully consider whether the higher yield is worth the higher risk before buying such bonds.