Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO)
A collateralized debt obligation is a sophisticated financial instrument typically backed by a pool of loans and various types of assets, which are sold to institutional investors. Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs) are a distinctive form of derivative that derive their value from underlying assets, which act as collateral in the event of loan default. Despite the risks associated with CDOs, they function as a practical instrument for unlocking capital and minimizing risk for investors.