underwrite

Underwrite

To guarantee, as to guarantee the issuer of securities a specified price by entering into a purchase and sale agreement. To bring securities to market.

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underwrite

To assume the risk of securities' sale by purchasing the securities from the issuer for resale to the public. Investment bankers often assume this underwriting function in order to guarantee that the issuer will receive all the funds needed from the sale. See also best-efforts basis, freed up, hot issue, investment banker, peg, standby underwriting.

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underwrite

(1) To evaluate the risk of a situation,as in loan underwriting to determine the borrower's financial strength,ability to repay the debt in the event of an interruption of cash flow,and willingness to repay the debt as evidenced by the borrower's credit score or credit history. (2) To guarantee a sale, such as an investment banker who underwrites the sale of securities and will purchase any that do not sell on the open market. (3) To assume liability, such as an insurance company that underwrites a policy.