An agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, founded in 1934, that administers various loan, loan guarantee, and loan insurance programs to increase housing availability.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is a U.S. government agency established in 2008 under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act to oversee housing-related Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). The agency has enhanced powers for enforcement and regulation.
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) is a federal law that mandates a payroll tax on both employees and employers to fund Social Security and Medicare programs in the United States.
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) is a U.S. federal payroll tax imposed on both employees and employers to fund Social Security and Medicare. Established by the Social Security Act of 1935, FICA contributes to long-term financial support for American retirees and other beneficiaries.
One of 12 banks that provide funds to agricultural lenders and institutions for crop farmers and cattle raisers, owned by farmers and ranchers.
The Federal Land Bank is an agency that provides mortgage loans on rural property to farmers and individuals who offer services to farmers and ranchers. Borrowers must purchase stock in their local land bank association, which serves as extra security for the loan.
The Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly known as Fannie Mae, is a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that enhances the availability of mortgage credit across the United States by purchasing and guaranteeing mortgages issued by lenders.
The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), commonly known as Fannie Mae, is a publicly owned government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that was established to enhance the flow of capital in the mortgage market by purchasing and reselling mortgages.
FNMA, also known as Fannie Mae, is a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) created to expand the secondary mortgage market by securitizing mortgages, thereby allowing lenders to reinvest their assets into more lending.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is a key committee within the Federal Reserve System responsible for setting short-term monetary policy in the United States. The FOMC is instrumental in regulating the money supply and influencing economic conditions to achieve sustainable economic growth.
The Federal Power Commission (FPC) was a regulatory agency in the United States aimed at overseeing and regulating the energy industries, including natural gas and electricity. It has since been replaced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The Federal Register is a daily publication by the U.S. government that prints regulations from various governmental agencies including the Treasury Department, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
One of the 12 regional banks that, along with their branches, constitute the Federal Reserve System in the United States. These banks play a crucial role in monitoring the commercial and savings banks in their respective regions, ensuring compliance with Federal Reserve Board regulations, and providing access to emergency funds through the Discount Window.
The Federal Reserve Board, often referred to simply as the Fed, is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the United States. Its major responsibilities include overseeing monetary policy, regulating banks, maintaining financial stability, and providing financial services.
The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, responsible for setting key policies, including reserve requirements, bank regulations, and discount rates.
A Federal Reserve District is one of twelve regions created by the Federal Reserve System, each served by a regional Federal Reserve Bank. These banks provide various financial services, regulatory oversight, and economic research relevant to their specific districts.
Federal Reserve Notes are paper currency issued by the Federal Reserve System (FED) and circulated by the Federal Reserve Banks. They serve as liabilities of the Federal Reserve Banks and constitute obligations of the U.S. government.
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) is a branch of the Federal Reserve Board that determines the direction of monetary policy specifically by directing open market operations.
The Federal Reserve System (Fed) is the central banking system of the United States, created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. It regulates the nation's monetary policy, oversees the cost and supply of money, and supervises international banking through agreements with other central banks.
The Federal Reserve System, established by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, is the central banking system of the United States, playing a crucial role in regulating the country's monetary and banking system.
Federal Savings and Loan Associations are federally chartered institutions with a primary responsibility to accept people's savings deposits and provide mortgage loans for residential housing. Their role and scope were broadened by the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980. Accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC.
The Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) was a U.S. government agency established to insure depositors in savings and loan associations against loss of principal. It was founded in 1934 and disbanded in 1989, with its functions transferred to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
A Federal Tax Lien is a legal claim by the government on all properties and rights to properties of a taxpayer who fails to pay a tax for which they are liable.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a federal agency founded in 1915 under the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, designed to protect free enterprise and promote fair competition.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 via the Federal Trade Commission Act. Its main functions are to promote consumer protection and eliminate and prevent anticompetitive business practices such as coercive monopoly.
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) provides for federal unemployment insurance and is funded by employer contributions. Employers are required to pay a specific percentage of the first $7,000 in wages paid to each employee. Various credits can reduce the overall tax liability.
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) establishes the structure and guidelines for employers to contribute to the federal unemployment insurance system, ensuring support for individuals during periods of unemployment.
FedEx, officially known as Federal Express Corporation, is a global courier delivery services company recognized for its overnight shipping services and an innovative tracking system.
FedEx Corporation, originally known as Federal Express, is a multinational delivery services company known for revolutionizing logistics and overnight shipping.
FedWire is a high-speed, computerized communications network that facilitates electronic funds transfers between U.S. banks and the Federal Reserve System. It is essential for the transfer of reserve balances and customer transactions.
A fee can refer to complete ownership in real property or the cost of professional services.
Fee Simple (or Fee Simple Absolute) refers to the absolute ownership of real property where the owner has unrestricted powers to dispose of the property during their lifetime, and upon death, the property passes to designated heirs. This ownership can only be overridden by eminent domain.
Feedback encompasses a variety of meanings ranging from user responses on products to technical control systems' internal information flow.
An approach to financial control in which managers monitor outputs achieved against a budget or desired output. Problems are only identified after they have occurred.
A feeder fund is an investment vehicle similar to a fund of funds but typically invests all its assets into a master fund, which is responsible for managing the investments. This structure is common in hedge funds.
Local and regional airlines or railroads that bring traffic to national carriers.
An anticipatory financial control approach where managers forecast potential issues and take preventive actions before they manifest. This approach contrasts with feedback control, which addresses issues after they have occurred.
FCMA stands for Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, a prestigious designation awarded to members with significant experience and achievements in management accounting and finance.
The term 'Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (FCIS)' signifies a prestigious qualification awarded to high-level corporate governance professionals.
Fellow subsidiaries are subsidiaries that are part of the same parent group of companies, sharing a common controlling parent company but operating independently of each other.
Feng Shui is an ancient Asian art that emphasizes the creation of harmony and balance within an environment through strategic placement and arrangement of space and objects.
An FHA Mortgage Loan is a mortgage loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Section 203(b) is the most popular program under FHA.
The FHFA House Price Index (HPI) is a measure of the movement of single-family home prices in the United States, compiled by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The index is based on data from loans held by the home mortgage Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
An abbreviation for 'Fellow of the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB)', a professional designation awarded by the IAB to recognize the highest level of membership and excellence in the field of bookkeeping and accountancy.
Fiat money is a type of currency that is made legal tender by government law or regulation, without backing by a physical commodity like gold or silver. Its value derives from the trust and authority of the government that issues it.
Fiber optics are tiny cylindrical strands of glass or plastic used for data transmission. They carry light rather than electrical energy, enabling vast data transfer with minimal interference.
The FICO score is a measure of borrower credit risk extensively utilized by creditors, including mortgage loan originators. Developed by Fair Isaac Corporation, it encompasses an applicant's credit history and credit utilization to determine loan approval and terms.
A fictitious asset is an asset listed on a company's balance sheet that does not actually exist or has no real value. Such assets may appear due to error or as part of deliberate fraudulent activities.
A fidelity bond is an insurance policy that provides coverage against specified losses arising from dishonest acts or defalcations by an employee.
A fiduciary is a person, company, or association holding assets in trust for a beneficiary, with the responsibility of investing the money wisely for the beneficiary's benefit.
A fiduciary bond is a surety bond that ensures the faithful performance of a fiduciary's duties.
In computer word- or data-processing systems, a field is a group of adjacent characters representing a specific piece of information within a record.
Field staff are company employees who work outside of the company office and operate in the marketplace. In retailing, they are often the manufacturer's representatives, also known as detail persons.
FIFO, or First In, First Out, is an inventory valuation method where the oldest inventory items are recorded as sold first. This method is commonly used in accounting and finance to manage inventory costs.
FIFO Cost, short for First-In-First-Out Cost, is an inventory valuation method where the costs of the earliest items purchased are the first to be recognized in financial statements. This method is widely used in accounting to manage inventory and calculate the cost of goods sold.
A fixed-rate, level-payment mortgage loan with a maturity of fifteen years. This mortgage option became popular in the 1980s because it significantly reduces the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan, despite having higher monthly payments compared to a thirty-year mortgage.
A 'file' can refer to the act of organizing material for easy retrieval, a collection of stored information on a computer, or the formal submission of a document.
A file server is a computer on a local area network (LAN) that provides network users with access to shared data and program files. Often, it is a larger and faster computer than the users' workstations.
The process of moving or transmitting a computer file from one location to another, such as between two programs or from one computer to another, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an internet protocol used for transferring files between computers over a network.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used for the transfer of computer files between a client and server on a computer network.
The lodging of financial statements of a company with the Registrar of Companies. There are penalties for late filing. Companies that meet the statutory definition of a small company or a medium-sized company are permitted to file abbreviated accounts.
Filing Status for tax purposes governs the form of return used and may affect the rate at which income is taxed and eligibility for various credits and deductions.
A Fill or Kill (FOK) order is an order to buy or sell a particular security that, if not executed immediately, is canceled.
Filtering down is a process whereby, over time, a housing unit or neighborhood is occupied by progressively lower-income residents. This transition often involves older residences that were once occupied by the upper classes.
Final Accounts are comprehensive financial statements produced at the end of a company's financial year, representing its overall financial status and performance over the period. They contrast with interim accounts produced during the financial year.
Final Assembly involves the culmination of all manufacturing processes where individual components and sub-assemblies are put together to create a finished product. In an automobile final assembly plant, key elements such as the powertrain, chassis, and body components are united to form a completed automobile.
A final dividend is a dividend declared at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) upon the recommendation of the company’s directors. It represents the distribution of profits that is subject to shareholders' approval and appears as a current liability on the balance sheet until paid.
Final goods, also known as consumer goods, are goods that are not used as inputs in the production of other goods but are intended for consumption by the end consumer.
An occupational pension scheme where the retirement benefits are calculated based on the employee's final salary prior to retirement. It is a type of defined-benefit pension scheme.
Finance involves the practice of managing and manipulating money, the capital involved in a project, and obtaining loans for specific purposes.
The annual UK Act of Parliament that changes the law relating to taxation, implementing the rates of income tax, corporation tax, etc., proposed in the preceding Budget.
A finance charge is a fee imposed for the privilege of deferring payment of a debt or for borrowing funds. It is commonly used in credit card transactions and loans.
A finance company provides various types of loans, typically at higher interest rates compared to traditional banks, often catering to ventures and individuals considered high risk.
A finance house is an organization, often owned by commercial banks, that provides finance for hire-purchase or leasing agreements. These institutions play a pivotal role in consumer finance, enabling consumers to purchase expensive items through structured agreements while earning profits from the interest rate differential.
A finance lease transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset to the lessee. In accounting, it is akin to the lessee owning the asset. This entry describes the implications and guidelines involved in finance leases.
A finance vehicle is a specialized financial entity that organizations use to achieve certain fiscal or operational advantages, such as minimizing tax liabilities or securing funding.
Financial accounting is the branch of accounting concerned with classifying, measuring, and recording the transactions of a business, ultimately presenting the performance and financial position of a business through standardized financial statements.
The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) in the USA oversees and provides funding for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). It appoints members and supervises the standard-setting process to ensure the integrity and reliability of accounting principles.
In the USA, a council that advises the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on agenda-setting and accounting standards to ensure the relevance and quality of financial reporting.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is an independent organization that establishes and improves standards of financial accounting and reporting for companies and non-profit organizations in the United States.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is an independent board responsible for establishing and interpreting Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is a private, non-governmental organization established in 1973 to develop and issue standards for financial accounting and reporting. These standards are commonly referred to as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization established to develop policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to combat money laundering and terrorist financing on a global scale through policy development and surveillance.
Financial adaptability refers to the ability of an accounting entity to take effective action to alter the amounts and timing of cash flows so that it can respond to unexpected needs or opportunities.
A niche segment within the advertising industry, focused on the promotion of financial products and services such as mutual fund shares, limited partnership units, and products offered by banks, brokerage firms, and insurance companies.
A professional adviser providing financial counsel in various domains, such as investing, insurance, estate planning, and taxes. Financial advisers can be fee-based, commission-based, or both.
Financial analysis involves evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other financial entities to determine their performance and suitability. This analysis is used to gauge a company’s financial health and operational efficiency.
Financial appraisal refers to the use of financial evaluation techniques to determine the preferred option among various alternatives, often employing discounted cash flow methods, ratio analysis, profitability index, or payback period.
A financial asset is either cash, a contractual right to receive cash, the right to exchange a financial instrument with another entity under potentially favourable terms, or an equity instrument of another entity.
Financial assets include stocks, bonds, rights, certificates, bank balances, and other securities, distinguishing themselves from tangible, physical assets like real property.
A financial budget is an organizational tool that outlines an entity's monthly, quarterly, or annual financial goals and expectations, aiding in financial planning, forecasting, and control.
Financial Capital Maintenance is an accounting concept that stipulates a company must generate enough revenue to cover both operational costs and maintain its equity capital intact over a set period.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a regulatory body established in April 2013, responsible for overseeing the conduct of financial services firms in the UK. It aims to ensure integrity, protect consumers, and promote competition within financial markets.
Financial control encompasses actions taken by the management of an organization to ensure that costs incurred and revenues generated are at acceptable levels. It involves the provision of financial information to management by accountants and utilizes techniques such as budgetary control and standard costing to highlight and analyze variances.
Financial distress refers to a situation in which the activity of a business is influenced by the possibility of impending insolvency. This state incurs various costs, ranging from those related to bankruptcy to costs arising from stakeholders' changes in behavior and managerial focus.
A financial expense is an outlay of funds recorded in a company's financial records, rather than cost records. Common examples include interest paid on borrowed funds and directors' fees.
Financial feasibility refers to the ability of a proposed land use or change in land use to justify itself from an economic perspective. While it is one test of the highest and best use of land, it does not necessarily make a project the most rewarding use of the land.
Financial futures are futures contracts based on a financial instrument. These contracts generally move inversely with interest rates.
