### Question
What does surety mean?


### Answer
**Surety** has the following meaning in *15 U.S.C. § 694a*:

> the person who (A) under the terms of a bid bond, undertakes to pay a sum of money to the obligee in the event the principal breaches the conditions of the bond, (B) under the terms of a performance bond, undertakes to incur the cost of fulfilling the terms of a contract in the event the principal breaches the conditions of the contract, (C) under the terms of a payment bond, undertakes to make payment to all persons supplying labor and material in the prosecution of the work provided for in the contract if the principal fails to make prompt payment, or (D) is an agent, independent agent, underwriter, or any other company or individual empowered to act on behalf of such person

#### Citation:
  - *15 U.S.C. § 694a*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 14B-SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM > SUBCHAPTER IV&ndash;A-GUARANTEES > Part B-Surety Bond Guarantees**

