Investopedia

Debtor

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Debtor'

A company or individual who owes money. If the debt is in the form of a loan from a financial institution, the debtor is referred to as a borrower. If the debt is in the form of securities, such as bonds, the debtor is referred to as an issuer.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Debtor'

It is not a crime to fail to pay a debt. Except in certain bankruptcy situations, debtors can choose to pay debts in any priority they choose. But if you've failed to pay a debt, you have broken a contract or agreement between you and a creditor. Generally, most oral and written agreements for the repayment of consumer debt - debts for personal, family or household purposes secured primarily by a person's residence - are enforceable.

However, most debts for business or commercial purposes must be in writing to be enforceable. If the agreement requires the debtor to pay a certain amount of money, then the creditor does not have to accept a lesser amount. Also, if there was no actual agreement but the creditor has loaned money, performed services or provided the debtor with a product, that debtor must pay the creditor.

Articles Of Interest

  1. The Importance Of Your Credit Rating

    A great starting point for learning what a credit score is, how it is calculated and why it is so important.
  2. Will Corporate Debt Drag Your Stock Down?

    Borrowed funds can mean a leg up for companies, or the boot for investors. Find out how to tell the difference.
  3. Personal Loans: To Lend Or Not To Lend?

    Attempting to help a loved one with a cash loan can put a strain on your relationship - and your bank account.
  4. Bond Basics Tutorial

    Investing in bonds - What are they, and do they belong in your portfolio?
  5. Why Your Pension Plan Has Sovereign Debt In It

    One type of security pensions tend to invest in is sovereign debt, or debt issued by a government.
  6. 6 Popular ETF Types For Your Portfolio

    Exchange traded funds are an extremely popular diversification tool that can protect your portfolio during troubled periods.
  7. Top 5 Budgeting Questions Answered

    You don't need a degree to understand your money, begin saving and pay down debt.
  8. Asset Allocation: The First Step Toward Profit

    Understanding the different asset classes is an essential part of portfolio diversification.
  9. Junk Bond

    Find out more about these bonds that have a high risk of default.
  10. Guaranteed Retirement Income In Any Market

    By laddering annuities, you can be sure you'll have income no matter what the market does.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Glocalization

    A combination of the words "globalization" and "localization" used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally, but is also fashioned to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.
  2. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.
  3. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.
  4. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.
  5. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
  6. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.
Trading Center
Array ( )
taggroups(for debug only):
Array ( [0] => Bonds And Fixed Income [1] => SEG (Investors) ) time:11ms