Who does the principal make a promise to in a surety bond arrangement?

In a surety bond arrangement, the principal makes a promise to the obligee. The obligee is typically the party that requires the bond as a guarantee that the principal will fulfill their obligations, such as completing a contract or adhering to regulations. In this relationship, the principal is essentially securing an agreement that assures the obligee that they will be compensated or that a required duty will be performed, thus protecting the obligee from potential losses or defaults by the principal.

The surety acts as a guarantor, providing the bond and backing the principal's ability to fulfill obligations. The contractor may also be involved, but they are not the party to whom the promise is made in the context of the surety bond. The agent may facilitate communication or transactions but does not receive the promise from the principal in the bond arrangement.