bearer bond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bearer bond" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing financial instruments that are payable to the holder. An example: "The investor purchased a bearer bond, expecting a high return." Alternative expressions include "coupon bond" and "negotiable bond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Certificates take the form of a bearer bond — a slice of the instruments engineered by the bank — and depend on the creditworthiness of the issuer.

The New York Times

A bearer bond is simply a bond that is payable to whoever the "bearer" is.

Science Magazine

The puzzle Fearless and Paris must solve involves a stolen bearer bond, a fortune plundered by Nazis and a kindly Jewish couple in East L.A. who fall victim to evil schemers.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To be issued forthwith, further 40,000,000,000 Marks gold bearer bonds, bearing interest at 2-1/22-1/2percent

Yale University

- Information about the underground market for treasury notes, bearer bonds, and other financial instruments.

The Guardian

bearer bonds, the time and mode of payment of principal and interest to be determined by the Commission.

Yale University

To be issued forthwith, 20,000,000,000 Marks gold bearer bonds, payable not later than May l, 1921, without interest.

Yale University

One of the most efficient governments in earning interest on its funds is New York City, which has several billion dollars of outstanding bearer bonds.

The New York Times

Nora became interested in trading German gold-backed bearer bonds, which were worthless unless Germany could be pressured into paying it's debt.

The New Yorker

Moving to England after the Guerin shooting, he was given a seven-year sentence for handling stolen bearer bonds reportedly worth millions.

Independent

He is accused of failing to report about $525,000 in casino chips and $4 million in municipal bearer bonds on a bankruptcy petition he filed in August 1995.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial history or older financial instruments, "bearer bond" is appropriate. Be aware that they are less common now due to regulations aimed at preventing tax evasion and money laundering.

Common error

Don't assume all bonds are "bearer bonds". Most modern bonds are registered, meaning ownership is recorded. Using "bearer bond" implies a specific type of unregistered security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bearer bond" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a specific type of financial instrument.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "bearer bond" refers to a negotiable loan instrument payable to whoever holds it. As noted by Ludwig AI, this type of bond is becoming less common due to financial regulations. While grammatically correct, its usage should be precise, recognizing that most modern bonds are registered. It is mostly encountered in discussions about finance, historical economics, or crime. When precision is required, consider alternatives such as "coupon bond" or "unregistered security".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Coupon bond

Refers to a bond that pays interest via detachable coupons, similar to a bearer bond in its payment mechanism.

Negotiable bond

Highlights the transferability aspect, a key feature of bearer bonds.

Unregistered security

Emphasizes the lack of official record of ownership, a defining characteristic of bearer bonds.

Anonymously owned security

Focuses on the anonymity afforded to the owner of a bearer bond.

Payable-to-bearer instrument

A more formal way of stating that the bond's value is given to whoever possesses it.

Bond payable to the holder

Clearly indicates that ownership is determined by possession.

Fixed-income security

A broader category that includes bearer bonds as a type of investment.

Debt security

Another encompassing term for financial instruments like bearer bonds.

Municipal bond

A type of bond issued by a local government, which can sometimes be in bearer form.

Treasury note

A debt instrument issued by the government, which shares some characteristics with bearer bonds.

FAQs

How does a "bearer bond" differ from a registered bond?

A "bearer bond" is payable to whoever holds the physical bond, offering anonymity. A registered bond, conversely, records the owner, making it less susceptible to theft and easier to track.

Why are "bearer bonds" less common today?

"Bearer bonds" have become less prevalent due to regulations aimed at increasing financial transparency and reducing opportunities for tax evasion and money laundering.

What are the risks associated with owning a "bearer bond"?

The primary risk is loss or theft, as ownership is determined by possession. Unlike registered bonds, there's no record of ownership to reclaim a lost or stolen "bearer bond".

What's an alternative to using "bearer bond" in modern financial contexts?

In contemporary discussions, terms like "coupon bond" or "unregistered security" might be more appropriate, depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.