The issuer of a bond agrees to pay the principal by the stated maturity date. The issuer can agree to pay the entire amount borrowed in one lump sum payment at the maturity date. That is, the issuer is not required to make any principal repayments prior to the maturity date. Such bonds are said to have a bullet maturity. The bullet maturity structure has become the most common structure in the United States and Europe for both corporate and government issuers.