Structured Finance Worldwide: Balancing Innovation and Risk
Structured finance has become an indispensable part of the global financial system, providing solutions for both liquidity needs and risk management. Unlike traditional lending, which relies on bilateral agreements between lenders and borrowers, structured finance repackages cash flows from various assets into tradable securities . Mortgage-backed securities (MBS), asset-backed securities (ABS), and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are among the most prominent examples of these instruments. The primary advantage lies in their flexibility. Institutions can transfer risk off their balance sheets while still offering investors opportunities for stable, diversified returns. At the same time, this system helps direct capital into critical areas such as real estate, infrastructure, and small business financing. However, this complexity also means structured finance requires careful oversight to avoid systemic imbalances. Global Market Developments North America remains the leader in st...