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

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