The first structured investment vehicle, or SIV, was created in 1988, and others quickly followed.
SIVs issued debt in the commercial paper market, a short-term financing market. Then they used the proceeds to buy higher-yielding, long-term assets, such as mortgage-backed securities.
The strategy worked as long as money market fund managers and others bought the commercial paper - which was generally considered a safe investment.
A safe way to turn a buck
| |
