Debt Bomb This occurs when a major financial institution, such as a multinational bank, defaults on its obligations that causes disruption not only in the financial system of the institution's home country, but also in the global financial system as a whole. Investopedia Says: A debt bomb can occur also if consumer spending is based heavily on debt. For example, if a nation incurred huge credit card debt, individual debt holders could default en masse and create trouble for creditors. Related Terms: Bankruptcy Consumer Credit Credit Card Debt Default Default Risk |