Gov't offers retail bonds with 6.25% interest rate for investment

Filipino investors seeking to invest their savings with the government can expect a guaranteed return that surpasses the 2023 average inflation rate, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed.

During an auction on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the five-year retail treasury bond (RTB) secured a coupon rate of 6.250 percent, exceeding the 6.0 percent full-year average inflation rate from the previous year.

According to one analyst, it is crucial for investors to ensure that their investments outpace the increase in consumer prices because inflation gradually diminishes the purchasing power of money over time.

"Let's say you have P100 today, and the inflation rate is six percent. If your money doesn't grow at least six percent over the year, it will have the same numerical value, but it will be able to buy less because prices have gone up due to inflation," he said.

RTBs are government-issued fixed-income securities tailored for retail investors, requiring a minimum investment of only P5,000 and paying regular interest.

These bonds are designed for medium- to long-term investments, aimed at funding public projects and programs.

Additionally, RTBs typically offer a fixed interest rate that is higher compared to the interest rates provided by bank savings or time deposits.

During the price-setting auction, the Bureau of the Treasury successfully raised P212.72 billion, far exceeding the government’s initial target of only P30 billion.

The total demand for the RTBs reached an impressive P272.71 billion.

Investors can participate in the RTB offering from Feb. 13 to Feb. 23, either through over-the-counter transactions at designated banks or conveniently online via www.treasury.gov.ph, Bonds.PH, the OFBank mobile banking app, or the Land Bank of the Philippines mobile app.