Legal Definitions - accommodation maker

An accommodation maker is a person who signs a promissory note as a surety or guarantor. This means that they are agreeing to pay back the debt if the original borrower is unable to do so. The accommodation maker is also known as a co-signer or co-maker.

• John wants to buy a car but doesn't have a good credit score. His friend, Sarah, agrees to be an accommodation maker and co-signs the loan with him. If John is unable to make the payments, Sarah will be responsible for paying back the loan.
• Mary is starting a small business and needs a loan to get it off the ground. She doesn't have any collateral to offer the bank, so her father agrees to be an accommodation maker and co-signs the loan. If Mary's business fails and she can't pay back the loan, her father will be responsible for paying it back.

These examples illustrate how an accommodation maker can help someone who might not otherwise be able to get a loan. However, it's important to remember that being an accommodation maker comes with risks. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the accommodation maker will be responsible for paying it back.