redeem

Redemption

1. In bonds, the act of an issuer repurchasing a bond at or before maturity. Redemption is made at the face value of the bond unless it occurs before maturity, in which case the bond is bought back at a premium to compensate for lost interest. The issuer has the right to redeem the bond at any time, although the earlier the redemption take place, the higher the premium usually is. This provides an incentive for companies to do this as rarely as possible.

2. The act of the issuing company repurchasing stocks or mutual funds. In the case of mutual funds, the repurchase is made at net asset value per share. Stocks may be redeemed in cash or by proration. See also: Proratable factor.

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redeem

(1) In mortgages, to cure a default by paying all past-due sums and penalties after receiving notice of default, but before acceleration. (2) To exercise the post-foreclosure right of redemption, if allowed. (3) Under federal law, the IRS has 120 days after foreclosure to purchase property on which it had a lien—to redeem the property. (It rarely does this,and would only do so if it believed it could sell the property at a profit large enough to justify the time and trouble.)