There are only two ways through which a business can acquire assets: one way is to borrow money from lending organizations such as banks or get money from investors, shareholders, or from the pocket of the owner of the company. "Financed by" on a balance sheet, therefore, represents the means through which a business acquired its assets. When a company acquired assets through borrowing or debt, the assets are said to be financed by liabilities. When a company acquired assets through the owner's money, investors, or shareholders' capital, then the assets are said to be financed by owner's equity or shareholders' equity.