Credit derivatives are financial contracts that allow parties to transfer credit risk. They include credit default swaps, credit spread options, and credit linked notes. Credit default swaps allow one party to buy protection against losses from a borrower default. The protection buyer makes periodic payments to the protection seller in exchange for a payment if a credit event, like bankruptcy, occurs. Credit spread options give the buyer the right to purchase a bond at a stated spread above a benchmark rate if the market spread is higher on the exercise date. Credit linked notes transfer credit risk from the note issuer to investors. The issuer uses the investment proceeds to purchase collateral assets. If the borrower defaults, the issuer uses the collateral to pay