Makes bonds by losing money (4)
I believe the answer is:
ties
'makes bonds' is the definition.
(tie can mean to make a bond)
'by losing money' is the wordplay.
'by' becomes 'times' ('times' can mean multiplied by).
'losing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'money' becomes 'm' (abbreviation in economics).
'times' with 'm' taken out is 'TIES'.
(Other definitions for ties that I've seen before include "Drawn games" , "Items of neckwear" , "Links" , "Fastens with a knot" , "Binds with male neckwear" .)