What is a corporate bond? why would a company use bonds as a source of financing?

Answer and explanations : In simple words, corporate bonds refers to the debt securities that are issued  by the corporations for capital funding. Companies are obligated to make return on such investments and some time these debts are support by some asset as collateral. In other words, these are fixed obligations.

The reason behind issuing corporate bonds for funding is , first they are the cheapest sources of finance after retained earnings. Companies are obligated to pay return on these hence for the security off return investors usually purchase them even at lower prices.

Also these shareholders can be repaid back fully and have no control over the operation of the business which gives management some flexibility.