The subprime market crisis, structured products in the securities credit markets, and hedge funds

This paper examines the role of structured products in the 2008–2009 financial crisis. The growth of asset securitization has allowed loans that used to be funded by traditional intermediaries, including commercial banks, to be funded in securities markets. As credit-related services became unbundled, layers of transactions were added to the financial intermediation process. These layers were added as structured products, e.g., credit default swaps, in the over-the-counter market. This paper looks at the evolution of credit markets and the importance of using off-balance-sheet-based measures as an alternative in assessing the financial sector.