Credit Risk Transfer Instruments: and Their Role in Financial Crisis

Financial crisis of 2007 has raised serious concerns regarding soundness of financial system. It has been pointed out by several academic scholars that root cause of recent turmoil is embedded deep and closely connected with innovation in credit risk transfer. This study examines the motives behind creation of derivative market and their role in financial meltdown. Among the credit derivatives the two most widely used or abused tools, credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations, played a significant role in rapid establishment of credit derivative universe thereby leaving behind the long established equity market. The study further examines original concept of credit risk transfer along with their funding structure and dynamics of different tools highlighting the role of Regulators, Rating Agencies, Financial Institutions & contagion effects of innovation on financial industry and establishment of shadow banking. The study concludes on quotation of Terri Duhond that when car crash happens people only blame drivers rather than criticizing the authorities who allow them to drive.