What distinguishes credit risk from market risk?

Credit risk is fundamentally defined as the risk of loss that arises when a borrower fails to repay a loan or meet contractual obligations as agreed. This type of risk is specific to the creditworthiness of the individual or entity borrowing the funds. It is intrinsically linked to the assessment of the borrower's ability to fulfill their financial commitments, which includes their income, credit history, and overall financial status.

The remaining options relate to different aspects of risk. For instance, while market risk is associated with the broader fluctuations in market prices and can be influenced by factors like currency exchange rates or regulatory changes, it does not focus on individual borrower assessments like credit risk does. In essence, these distinctions clarify that credit risk and market risk are separate categories of financial risk, each with its own causes and implications.