Final answer:
The event involving a liability for a business is loans to be repaid to banks. Choosing this form of financing commits the business to scheduled interest payments, which is a financial obligation recorded as a liability on the balance sheet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that involves a liability for a business from the options provided is loans to be repaid to banks. When a company borrows money from a bank or issues bonds, it accepts a legal obligation to repay the borrowed funds plus any agreed-upon interest, which constitutes a liability on the company's balance sheet. This commitment to scheduled interest payments exists regardless of the firm's income.
In contrast, purchasing inventories for cash does not create a liability, as it is an exchange of one asset (cash) for another (inventory). Amounts invested by the owners are considered equity, not liabilities, since this represents the owners' stake in the company. Lastly, stock sold to the general public does not create a liability either; instead, it involves raising equity capital by selling ownership shares in the company, which leads to shareholders' equity.
Firms need to consider how to access financial capital, including early-stage investments, reinvesting profits, borrowing through banks or bonds, and selling stock. Each option has trade-offs in terms of control, repayment, and obligations to shareholders or creditors.