combining two companies to create one larger company that is expected to be more valuable than the individual companies on their own.

present value of expected future cash in flows minus the present value of cash outflows e.g. the amount of investment and any initial and ongoing investment costs. Often used in capital budgeting to determine whether or not to make an investment (if negative, the investment should not be made).

rate of return expressed only in monetary terms - so not adjusted for inflation.

risk arising from failed processes in carrying out business functions.

share in the ownership of a company that gives the holder the right to receive distributed profits and to vote at general meetings of the company. An ordinary shareholder ranks behind all other creditors/investors if the company is wound up.

an amount agreed between a borrower and a lender (typically the bank of the borrower) up to which an organisation can borrow when it needs funds rather than in one lump sum. Overdrafts are repayable on demand by the lender. Interest is usually paid on the amount of money that is borrowed until it is repaid and rates are usually higher than for standard loans. See product types for more information.

a sum of money lent or invested, on which interest is paid or earned (or the balance of a loan, net of interest and amounts repaid).

investors investing directly into borrowers (rather than in a financial institution) typically using online platforms that match (usually individual) lenders with borrowers to create crowdfunded loans for both business and individuals. See product types for more information.

loans or equity investments offered on a long-term basis (typically 5 years or longer). It is often used to describe long-term investment by investors looking for non-financial as well as financial gains and may be offered on soft terms (e.g. capital/interest repayment holidays and at zero or sub-market interest rates).

also known as an income and expenditure account, it shows income earned for the year and deducts from it all expenses incurred in earning that income. This will show a profit (surplus) or loss (deficit) for the year, depending on whether income is larger than expenses or expenses have exceeded income.