๐Ÿงพfinancial accounting i review

Serial bonds

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

Serial bonds are a type of bond issuance in which a portion of the total bond issue matures at regular intervals until the entire issue is repaid. This structure helps to spread out the repayment burden over time, making it easier for the issuer to manage cash flows.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Serial bonds have staggered maturity dates, unlike term bonds which mature on a single date.
  2. They help issuers manage liquidity by spreading out repayment obligations over several periods.
  3. Interest rates for serial bonds can vary depending on their maturity dates.
  4. Investors might prefer serial bonds for their reduced risk due to diversified maturity timelines.
  5. Serial bonds are commonly used by municipalities and public utilities for large projects.

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