Reading the Fine Print: Since 2001, the Market for Structured Investment Products Grew Rapidly As Investors Lost Faith in Equities. Now, These So-Called 'Safe' Retail Investment Products are Fighting to Salvage a Reputation Dented by Financial Chaos and Customer Losses. Below, We Examine a Variety of Investment Options Currently Available (Money‪)‬

These structured investment products, or derivatives, with reassuring elements in their names like 'discount' and 'guarantee', allow investors to gain exposure to equities or other asset classes with benefits that include more leverage or guaranteed bonuses if markets remain stable. Unfortunately, markets haven't been stable. Money has been withdrawn as equity markets have dived. And, the collapse of Lehman Brothers has intensified the problem. Investors with certificates issued by Lehman now face a long wait to recover part of their money, which is not covered by bank guarantees.