What is the term for the party to whom an instrument is payable?

The term for the party to whom an instrument is payable is "payee." In financial transactions involving negotiable instruments, such as checks or promissory notes, the payee is the individual or entity that receives the payment. This role is crucial in identifying to whom the funds are owed, distinguishing them from other roles involved in the transaction.

For instance, in a check, the payee is the person whose name is written on the check, signifying that this individual is entitled to receive the amount specified. Understanding the role of the payee is essential for grasping how financial instruments function, ensuring appropriate execution and transfer of funds. Other roles, such as the drawer, maker, and endorser, play distinct functions in the context of these instruments, with the drawer and maker primarily responsible for creating or issuing the instrument, and the endorser involved in transferring rights associated with the instrument.