CDS risks

Claims that credit derivatives were a major cause of the financial crisis have prompted regulators to threaten to clamp down on the market. In the latest in the current series of Class Notes, Charles Smithson examines some of the risks of credit default swaps

risk-charlessmithson-gif

When it first appeared a decade and a half ago, the credit default swap (CDS) was a 'risk spreading' instrument. The impetus for the development of the CDS market was the need for banks to reduce credit concentrations. Insurance companies and other investors were willing to provide protection because CDSs offered cost-effective - and leveraged - exposure to loans and other bank-originated credit assets. However, the CDS market has changed dramatically in recent years. In 2006 and 2007, before

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here