IT USED to be that bonds were out of the reach of the small Pinoy investor. But that all changed when retail bonds were offered by both the government and the corporate world.
Offering a higher interest rate than time deposits, retail bonds are quite popular given their minimum investment requirement. For retail treasury bonds (RTBs) offered by the national government, investors can invest with a minimum placement of P5,000 and in multiples of P5,000 thereafter. Retail corporate bonds vary in amount, depending on the issuer.
Currently, the government is offering RTBs maturing in 2012 (3-year RTB), 2014 (5-year RTB), and 2016 (7-year RTB). The offering period started last September 15 and ends on September 22. Interest rates are as follows:
5.25percent for the 3-year RTB
6.25percent for the 5-year RTB
7 percent for the 7-year RTB
Although the interest rates are lower than that of RTBs offered last year, the current batch to be issued on September 24 is enjoying good patronage. Interest will be subject to 20 percent withholding tax.
Here are the reasons why someone should consider investing in RTBs, according to Ed Francisco, head of BDO Capital:
1. It’s risk free.
2. The rate is much higher than leaving it in bank deposits.
3. You get automatic credit of interest every quarter to your bank account.
4. You are credited at maturity.
5. Should you need money before the RTB matures, you can sell it. There will be a ready market.
6. Some banks will allow you to borrow against your RTBs.
7. You can choose from various tenors, e.g., 3, 5 and 7 years.
Since RTBs get “sold out” fast, those intending to invest should go to these banks and financial institutions before the offer period ends: BDO, BPI Capital, Development Bank of the Philippines, First Metro Development Corporation, Landbank, Metrobank, and RCBC.
RTBs suit the conservative or beginning investor, but longtime investors with more experience also consider RTBs to diversify their portfolios.
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17 Feedbacks on "Investing in retail treasury bonds"
rain
just like to ask somethings about investment in rtb/corporate bonds.
-if one intends to hold rtb/corporate bonds for 5 years and beyond, is this supposed not subject to tax any more?
-if true, how can the tax deducted from the quarterly interest be recovered?
thank you
mives
investing newb here.
5.25percent for the 3-year RTB, minus 20% withholding tax, amounting to only 4.2%. Is it really worth it to invest in this, since there are some small banks out there that offers time deposits close to this amount (or so I’ve heard). Isn’t that much more appealing to a beginning investor (provided of course that the amount is within the insured amount by PDIC)
lance
wow sana mas maaga tong pinost
ron
rtb’s, like other gov’t bonds, are taxable regardless of tenor.
corporate bonds (e.g. SMB, SMIC) offer tax-free for 5yrs and beyond. higher rates compared to gov’t bonds, also more risky.
always remember, high rates = high risks
yeah, sana nga mas maaga ‘to pinost.
Francis Kabigting
Are RTBs insured like bank deposits? If not, then there is the risk.
kuripotshopper
Yeah, this post could have been handy if it was posted earlier.
bankman
They should have posted this weeks ago. Anyway, this is risk free investment. You will only lose money if the country goes bankrupt
Ken
I am no longer a Filipino citizen but can I avail of these instruments regardless of citizenship? How often do they offer these investments?
Dennis
Baka naman po puede pang i-extend ang offering ng RTB until next month and also I hope we can be given priority by our embassy in Riyadh lagi na lang pong huli kami sa mga pagkakitaan. Isa po aking OFW interested to invest. Salamat po.
chris
I inquire at some banks and says, wala na. ubos na daw.
sayang
kapag may magandang pagkakataon para sa mga Pilipino na makapasok sa tinatawag nating “investment”, sana ay malaman ito ng maaga para matulungan natin ang mga maliliit na “investor” sa ating bansa. salamat po.
Wils
People just go with the flow when it comes to investing. Very few follow a detailed comprehensive planning process.
rocsan
if rtb is not available, there’s mutual fund to assist the filipinos, recommended to at least 5 yrs placement period. better return depending on investors portfolio.
available in asset management companies. sunlife, philamlife, bdo, bpi etc.
rain
offering for rtb was in the frontpage of businessworld/mirror (not so sure) 2 or 3 saturdays ago…
usually, there are press releases for retail tb/corporate bonds and then followed by formal announcements in major newspapers…
i was just very fortunate last year that i happen to read the office’s newspaper where the announcement for ayala bond offering was posted..
may site ba where may mga updates about these stuff…di naman lagi nakakabsa ng news…
Lila
It went very fast. I went to BPI on the 17th and was told that I’d be placed on the wait-list. Also, some banks wanted it in bigger tranche and not the 5,000 minimum that it should be. In my previous experience with RTBs, one bank was asking for a minimum investment of 500,000 while another was asking for 100,000. It defeats the purpose of encouraging a culture of investing for Pinoys. Also, I am surprised that even the 5 and 7 year tenors are subjected to tax. Shop around in savings banks where they offer 5-year TDs which are tax-free and with the same rate as the RTB.
RS Valcoba
Please send me advice. What’s the best bank for this? I am going to open a savings account in BDO this week and I want to invest to the so called bond and mutual fund. And it’s not clear to me on how to do it. Many Thanks guys…GB
ed
mutual funds are associated with some risks and its not covered with pdic, why not try LBC bank special savngs which offered 7.5 % which gives better and far bigger returns and most of all you are insured under the phil. dep insurance co. or pdic.
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