Finance

What Is a Settlement Agent? A settlement agent is a party who helps complete a transaction between a buyer and a seller. This is done through the transfer of securities to the buyer and the transfer of cash or other compensation to the seller. For a real estate transaction, closing agents are professionals who function

What Is a Settlement Bank? A settlement bank is the last bank to receive and report the settlement of a transaction between two entities. It is the bank that partners with an entity being paid, most often a merchant. As the merchant’s primary bank for receiving payment, it can also be referred to as the

What is Settlement Date Accounting? Settlement date accounting is an accounting method that accountants may use when recording financial exchange transactions in the company’s general ledger. Under this method, a transaction is recorded on the “books” at the point in time when the given transaction has been fulfilled. Key Takeaways Under settlement date accounting, a

What Is a Settlement Statement? A settlement statement is a document that summarizes the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement between parties. Commonly used for loan agreements, a settlement statement details the terms and conditions of the loan and all costs owed by or credits due to the buyer or seller. It also details

What Is a Settling-In Allowance? A settling-in allowance is money provided as part of relocation expenses to a person who has transferred locations or moved as part of accepting a new job. A settling-in allowance may be given as a lump sum or later reimbursed by the current or new employer upon submission of related

A settlor is the entity that establishes a trust. The settlor goes by several other names: donor, grantor, trustor, and trustmaker. Regardless of what this entity is called, its role is to legally transfer control of an asset to a trustee, who manages it for one or more beneficiaries. In certain types of trusts, the

What Is Severance Pay? Severance pay is the compensation and/or benefits an employer provides to an employee after employment is over. Severance packages may include extended benefits, such as health insurance and outplacement assistance to help an employee secure a new position. Employers offer packages to employees who are laid off, whose jobs are eliminated

What Is Severance Tax? Severance tax is a state tax imposed on the extraction of non-renewable natural resources that are intended for consumption in other states. These natural resources include such as crude oil, condensate and natural gas, coalbed methane, timber, uranium, and carbon dioxide. Understanding Severance Tax Severance tax is charged to resource producers

What Is a Severance Package? A severance package is a bundle of pay and benefits offered to an employee upon being laid off from a company. The receipt of a severance package is contingent upon signing a severance agreement. The amount of money received is usually based on the length of employment prior to termination and

What Is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ)? A special economic zone (SEZ) is an area in a country that is subject to different economic regulations than other regions within the same country. The SEZ economic regulations tend to be conducive to—and attract—foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI refers to any investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business