It stands for special purpose entity; an entity (legal entity) that is specially established to fulfill a certain narrow or temporary purpose, rather than to function as a full fledged, broad purpose entity. Such a special purpose includes risk considerations, collateralization, asset protection/ isolation, etc.
A special purpose entity (SPE) is typically a subsidiary set up by a parent to isolate or fence financial risk. It has a separate legal status that helps secure its assets and obligations even if the parent heads into any sort of financial distress such as bankruptcy.
SPEs take the form of a limited company or a limited partnership, among others. These entities can be formed by private companies or public entities.
SPEs usually develop, own and operate special projects or carry out specific functions while effectively isolating financial risk from that of the parent entity and mitigating bankruptcy risk, etc.
