Certain securities are financial instruments that represent a loan made by an investor to a borrower, usually in the form of BONDS. BONDS are debt securities issued by governments or corporations to raise money for various projects and activities. They are generally issued with a fixed rate of interest and a maturity date, at which point the bondholder receives the principal amount back. BONDS are considered to be one of the safest investments available, as they are backed by the issuer's ability to pay back the loan.