A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Base rate:

The benchmark, set by the Bank of England, for interest rates payable on personal loans and mortgages. This is currently set at 5 per cent.

Bear market:

A market in which sellers, known as 'bears' predominate. A bear market is driven by the fear that prices will fall. This is in contrast to a "bull" market, which is dominated by buyers and driven by confidence that prices will rise.

Bond:

Where a sum is invested in an account paying a fixed rate of interest over a specified time.The original sum is also repaid in full after an agreed period, that is, when the bond matures. Fixed-term savings accounts are also commonly referred to as bonds.

Bonus Issue:

See Scrip Issue

Broadband:

A fast, permanent internet connection. It is up to 100 times faster then a dial-up account and it doesn't tie up the phone line so you can make and receive calls normally while you use the internet.

Bull market:

a market in which buyers, referred to as 'bulls', predominate. A bull market is driven by the confidence that prices will rise. This is in contrast to a "bear" market, which is dominated by sellers and driven by fear that prices will fall.