STRUCTURED INVESTMENT VEHICLE - SIV

Fund investing in short-term debt and long-term structured finance products including asset-backed securities. Its funds come from issuing commercial paper which is continuously renewed or rolled over. Then, the proceeds are invested in longer maturity assets with less liquidity but higher yields. SIVs generate profits from credit spreads between incoming cash flows and high-rated commercial paper it issues. Such funds use high amounts of leverage to generate returns. Also called conduits.