When a operational loss frequency distribution (which, for example, may be based upon a Poisson distribution) and a loss severity distribution (for example, based upon a lognormal distribution), it is assumed that the frequency of losses and the severity of the losses are completely independent and do not impact each other. Therefore statement II is correct, and the others are not valid assumptions underlying the operational loss distribution.

Economic capital is often calculated with a view to maintaining the credit ratings for a firm. It is the capital available to absorb unexpected losses, and credit ratings are also based upon a certain probability of default. Economic capital is often calculated at a level equal to the confidence required for the desired credit rating. For example, if the probability of default for a AA rating is 0.02%, and the firm desires to hold an AA rating, then economic capital maintained at a confidence level of 99.98% would allow for such a rating. In this case, economic capital set at a 99.8% level can be thought of as the level of losses that would not be exceeded with a 99.8% probability, and would help get the firm its desired credit rating.

Choice 'c' is the correct answer. Economic capital does not target minimizing the cost of capital, nor is it a provision for losses arising from market risk. The concept of economic capital is unrelated to where an institution or firm is based, therefore Choice 'a' is incorrect as well.

Under the CreditPortfolio View approach, the credit rating transition matrix is adjusted for the state of the economy in a way as to increase the probability of defaults when the economy is not doing well, and vice versa. Therefore Choice 'a' is the correct answer. The other choices represent nonsensical options.

The peaks-over-threshold model is used when losses over a given threshold are recorded, as is often the case when using data based on external public sources where only large loss events tend to find a place. The generalized Pareto distribution is also used when attempting to model loss severity using EVT. Lognormal mixtures and generalized hyperbolic distributions are not used as extreme value distributions.

Choice 'd' is the correct answer.

The Earnings Volatility approach to calculating economic capital is a top down approach that considers economic capital as being the capital required to make for the worst case fall in earnings, and calculates EC as equal to the worst case decrease in earnings capitalized at the rate of return expected of the firm. The worst case decrease in earnings, or the earnings-at-risk can only be stated at a given confidence level, and is equal to the Expected Earnings less Earnings under the worst case scenario.