A basket default swap is similar to a single entity default swap except that the underlying is a basket of entities rather than one single entity. There are several types of basket default swaps. The popular ones are first-to-default, n-th-to-default, n-out-of-m-to-default and all-to-default swaps. With a single entity, a credit event is usually a default of the entity. With a first-to-default swap, a credit event occurs the first time any of the entities defaults.

A specific kind of counterparty agreement which allows the transfer of third party credit risk from one party to the other. One party in the swap is a lender and faces credit risk from a third party, and the counterparty in the credit default swap agrees to insure this risk in exchange of regular periodic payments (essentially an insurance premium). If the third party defaults, the party providing insurance will have to purchase from the insured party the defaulted asset. In turn, the insurer pays the insured the remaining interest on the debt, as well as the principal.

Finance Chance that interest or principal will not be paid on the due date and in the promised amount.

The risk that a credit defaults suddenly before the market has had time to factor its increased default risk into current spreads.