Equity Participation without Equity: An Analysis of Hope Notes

The paper examines the case of splitting a defaulted mortgage loan on a commercial property into an A note that earns interest and a B note that earns a return only if the value of the property increases. The B note is known as a “hope note.” The paper shows that the current methods for structuring such a deal often produce a B note that is worthless. A state-preference model is employed.