Lead Underwriter Definition
A financial institution or investment bank that has primary responsibility for organizing a given credit or bond issuance or a public stock offering. The task of this financial institution is to assess company financials and market conditions in oder to determine the initial value and quantity of shares to be sold. The Lead Underwriter negotiates the terms with the issuer, and works with other lending organizations or underwriters to create a syndicate to form the initial sales force for the shares. The shares will then be sold to institutional and retail clients.