Econometric models of credit scoring started with the introduction of Altman’s simple z-model in 1968, but since then these models have become more and more sophisticated, some even use Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) techniques. This paper focuses on the use of SVM as a model for default prediction. I start with an introduction to SVM as well as to some of its widespread alternatives. Then, these different techniques are used to model NBU data on banks’ clients, which allows us to compare the accuracy of SVM to the accuracy of other models. While SVM is generally more accurate, I discuss some of the features of SVM that make its practical implementation controversial. I then discuss some ways for overcoming those features. I also present the results of the Logistic Regression (Logit) model which will be used by the NBU.
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