What is the primary purpose of a subordinated debenture?

The primary purpose of a subordinated debenture is to provide a debt security that has a lower priority in claims on assets compared to other types of debts in the event of liquidation. This means that, in case the issuing company goes bankrupt, holders of subordinated debentures will be paid only after senior debt holders have been satisfied. While it is true that subordinated debentures often come with a higher interest rate due to their increased risk, this characteristic does not define their primary purpose.

Unlike the other options that suggest different functions—such as prioritization of claims during liquidation, conversion into equity, or government backing—the essence of a subordinated debenture lies in its subspecies of debt with subordinate status, which inherently comes with risk compensation in the form of potentially higher interest rates in order to attract investors willing to take on that risk. Understanding this hierarchy of claims is crucial for investors as it plays a significant role in their investment decisions and risk assessment.