The explosive growth of the credit risk industry is symbolic not only of the rapid expansion of finance into new and global markets, but is also representative of a widespread shift. The securitization of risk and, in particular, its transfer through the resulting credit derivatives, has dramatically changed the ways in which both the world economy and the finance industry work. This authoritative collection of key papers provides an overview of the subject from its beginnings through to current scholarship in this area. While the experienced investigator will find this anthology a convenient collection of essential papers, the student new to the field will be quickly taken to the front lines of research. Consequently, this collection will be of interest to historians, researchers, and students.