In a CDS contract, what constitutes a 'credit event'?

• A. A company offering a new loan.
• B. A default or near-default event triggering payout.
• C. A rating upgrade.
• D. A payment of interest.

Answer: (B)

In a CDS, a credit event is any event that shows the reference entity’s credit quality has deteriorated enough to make default more likely, triggering the payoff to protection buyers. This typically means a default-like situation such as missed payments, bankruptcy, insolvency, or a formal debt restructuring that qualifies under the contract’s definitions. These events indicate increased credit risk and prompt the payout.

Why the other scenarios don’t fit: offering a new loan is just a financing move and doesn’t reflect worsening credit of the reference entity. A rating upgrade signals improved credit quality, which is the opposite of a credit event. A routine interest payment is normal debt service and does not indicate default or a restructuring, so it would not trigger a payout.