This page has a list of countries by Debt securities held by nonresidents, total, short term, according to officially-recognized international sources compiled by the World Bank. Short-term debt securities cover such instruments as treasury bills, commercial paper, and bankers' acceptances that usually give the holder the unconditional right to a stated fixed sum of money on a specified date. These instruments are usually traded on organized markets at a discount and have an original term to maturity of one year or less.