Inhaltsangabe: Abstract: Asset-backed securities (ABS) are an innovative capital market instrument, and can be defined as homogenous, financial, cash flow producing, illiquid assets, which are separated from other company assets, transferred to a third party and used as collateral for securities issued on the capital market. The question to be answered in this study is: In how far does the market segment of asset-backed securities contain potential for private investors as an interesting investment alternative? This is of interest for commercial banks for broadening their investment product range and following innovation in order to stay competitive in a highly contested market. The empirical research consists of exemplary case studies of recent ABS issuances, dialogs with experts in the field of asset securitization and complementary data on the current market situation. After a close examination of the obtained data, the conclusion to be drawn is that asset-backed securities are an interesting investment alternative for private investors and the market segment can be entered indirectly through mutual funds, since a direct investment is hindered by several market conditions. The positive risk-return ratio in comparison to other alternatives and the innovative character of ABS makes them an attractive component of private investment portfolios. In the light of a trade tax law change in favor of special purpose vehicles for true sale transactions and plans for a common ABS platform by several large German banks, commercial banks should consider launching ABS mutual funds and marketing them to retail clients in order to profit from the positive side effects on the investment business from growing supply on the credit side of this market segment. Inhaltsverzeichnis: Table of Contents: 1.INTRODUCTION1 1.1Background1 1.2Previous research in the field of asset securitization3 1.3ABS - a suitable investment product?4 1.4Problem statement5 1.5Objective of t