Canada Savings Bonds were investment instruments that were offered by the Government of Canada in between the years 1945 and to 2017, sold between early October and December 1 of every year. Unlike a true marketable bond, Canada Savings Bonds or CSBs are debentures.
The financial products were issued by the Bank of Canada and were claimed to offer a competitive rate of interest and had a guaranteed minimum interest rate.
Video Canada Savings Bond
History
20th century
Canada started selling war bonds in 1917 to raise money during World War I for the Allies of World War I. Five bond campaigns were held from 1915-1919. To advertise the purchasing of Victory Loans, the Victory Loan Dominion Publicity Committee created artwork, held parades, and had celebrity endorsements. Community members who bought many Victory Loans were given a Victory Loan Honour Flag as a thank you.
Canada Savings Bonds were first offered in 1945 in an effort to replicate the success of Victory Bonds.
21st century
In 2004, consultants gave the Department of Finance a report suggesting the CSB program be scrapped, giving an overall program cost savings of about $650 million in 9 years. And with record budget surpluses recorded by the Liberal government since 1997, the importance of CSBs to finance the government had waned. Then-finance minister Ralph Goodale rejected the recommendation, and opted to have the program changed to be more competitive and attract investors.
Many Canadians still rely on this program for their investment portfolio, and the program is recognized by 2 out of 3 Canadians as their first investments. This program recognition may give potential to an improved and more popular program. This may suggest that the program may not be scrapped for many years to come.
The CSB website announced that effective fall of 2012 the term of all new bonds will be reduced to three years.
The value of bonds issued declined from $55 billion (Canadian) in 1987 to just over $6 billion in 2015.
A government-commissioned study by KPMG in June 2015 recommended canceling the program. Despite this recommendation, the Department of Finance ruled out canceling the program despite the estimated $58 million annual cost of running the program.
As of October 2016, the current Liberal government is considering ending the program.
On March 22, 2017, the federal budget announced that the sale of new CSBs would be discontinued in 2017. No further bond purchases will be allowed, however existing bonds will still be honored until they are redeemed.
Maps Canada Savings Bond
Types of CSBs
Canada Savings Bonds were available in regular and compounding interest. These bonds are cashable at any time and come in denominations of $100, $300, $500, $1000, $5000, and $10000 (regular interest bond's lowest denomination is $300). Interest rate is guaranteed for 1 year and fluctuate with market conditions for the remaining 9 years until its maturity. They are green, and picture the Peace Tower of the Parliament building in Ottawa. The new series as of November 1, 2006 picture the Cenotaph in Ottawa. As of 2010, the bonds were only available through the payroll savings program.
Canada Premium Bonds were purchasable in regular and compounding interest. These bonds differ from the regular bonds in that they are only cashable on the anniversary of the issue date or during the 30 days thereafter. They come in denominations of $100, $300, $500, $1000, $5000, and $10000. They are sold with rates up to year 3 with each subsequent year offering higher interest. The interest rate fluctuates for the remaining 7 years with market conditions until its maturity. Previously, the rates were determined for 5 years and fluctuated for the last 5 years. The bonds were maroon in colour and feature a picture of the Library of Parliament in Ottawa. But the new series as of November 1, 2006 are golden in colour and picture the Canadian War Museum.
Canada Investment Bonds were bonds available only through investment brokers and were offered from October 1, 2003 and April 1, 2004. They are non-redeemable until maturity and had 3 year maturities. Only 6 different series were issued. They are currently unavailable.
Plans offered through CSBs
Usually CSBs are purchased at a financial institution or online at the CSB website and certificates are mailed to the investor. However there are a few plans available in which certificates are not issued.
- Canada RSP is a no-fee Registered Retirement Savings Plan(RRSP) designed specifically for holding compound interest Canada Premium and Canada Savings Bonds. This product is no longer offered to new customers.
- Canada RIF no-fee Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) designed specifically for holding the Canada Premium and Canada Savings Bond directly in a RRIF. This product is no longer offered to new customers.
- Payroll Savings Plans- Employers can provide employees this plan during sale periods. Employees choose how much they would like deducted off their paycheques and it is automatically saved until the employee would like to withdraw. This program was also available under the Canada RSP.
See also
- Ontario Savings Bond
- Saskatchewan Savings Bond
- Épargne Placements Québec
References
External links
- Official website
- CBC Indepth- Canada Savings Bonds
Source of article : Wikipedia
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