certificate of participation

Participation Certificate

1. An alternative to a government or municipal bond in which an investor buys a share in the improvements or infrastructure the government entity intends to fund. This contrasts with a bond, in which the investor loans the government or municipality money in order to make these improvements. This is used primarily when the government or municipality has a charter-mandated debt ceiling. In the United States the only entities issuing or guaranteeing participation certificates are Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Sallie Mae.

2. See: International Depository Receipt (IDR).

certificate of participation (COP)

Entitlement to a participation, or share in the lease payments from a particular project. The lessor generally assigns lease payments to a trustee that distributes the payments to certificate holders.