Joint

Joint is a term that refers to two things being connected, and is commonly used in the financial world. Joint ownership describes the ownership by two of more parties. Similarly, joint tenancy is a form of joint ownership where two or more parties or individuals share equal rights in and control of a property. Joint tenancy is a common form of ownership as related to savings accounts. Closely resembling joint tenancy is a joint venture. In a joint venture, two or more firms share the responsibilities and also the profits and losses of a contract. Another example is the joint stock company. A joint stock company is a unique entity that resembles a corporation and a partnership, having features of both. Like a corporation, a joint stock company is made up of shareholders. Under the umbrella of a joint stock company, all shareholders have unlimited liability, yet the company's stock is fully transferable. There is also the term joint and several obligation, which is a debt entered into by two or more borrowers. Each of the joint borrowers is obligated and liable for repaying the full amount of the joint debt. Examples of joint and several obligations are bonds and discount notes sold by the Office of Finance.