How Do Bonds Work? The Complete Lifecycle of a Bond How does a bond begin, who buys it and what happens after issuance? This guide follows bonds from government auctions and corporate underwriting through secondary-market trading, dealer networks, futures, swaps and eventual maturity. A bond begins as a loan. A government, company, municipality or agency needs capital, and … [Read more...] about How Bonds Work: From Issuance and Auctions to Secondary Markets and Derivatives