What forms of organizations do Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) typically take?

Why does a sponsoring company create VIEs?

Why are VIEs often viewed by lenders as less risky than their sponsoring companies?

An entity qualifies as a VIE if the equity at risk is not sufficient. Describe what is not sufficient.

Who has ownership control of VIEs?

How does the primary beneficiary obtain control of the VIE without owning any of the voting shares?

If a parent company has a controlling interest in a VIE, what happens to the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the VIE with regards to consolidated financial statements?

For intra-entity debt transactions, how are the receivables/payables accounts and the interest income/expenses balances treated at consolidation dates?

When a gain or loss is realized on the retirement of an affiliates debt instrument, who reports the gain or loss?

How are subsidiary preferred shares not owned by the parent treated as consolidation?