Copulas in Risk Analysis

Abstract

In this article, we first review the essence of copula modeling, which became very popular around the beginningof twenty-first century, and take a retrospective glance at its historical development. Then, through examining severalexamples of applications in finance, actuarial science, survival analysis and life testing, we shed light onthe characteristics, and pros and cons of copula modeling. Special emphasis is on its role and criticism against itin the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2009.