Bonds

Mortgage interest rates and bond prices have an inverse relationship. Mortgage interest rates fall as bond prices rise, and vice versa. This is due to the fact that mortgage lenders’ interest rates are closely linked to Treasury bond rates. What effect do bonds have on mortgage rates? Mortgage interest rates and bond prices have an […]

When governments and enterprises need to raise funds, they issue bonds. You’re giving the issuer a loan when you buy a bond, and they pledge to pay you back the face value of the loan on a particular date, as well as periodic interest payments, usually twice a year. Bonds issued by firms, unlike stocks,

Federal income from state, city, and local government bonds (municipal bonds, or munis) is normally tax-free. However, you must record this income when you file your taxes. In most cases, municipal bond income is tax-free in the state where the bond was issued. However, take in mind the following: Occasionally, a state that normally taxes

Whether you have a local bank account and it accepts savings bonds, inquire if it will accept yours. The answer may be contingent on the length of time you’ve had an account there. If the bank will cash your check, find out if there is a monetary restriction on redemptions and what kind of identification

Bring your bond to your bank, but not any bank. It has to be an account that you’ve owned for at least six months. If that isn’t possible, you can use a government-issued photo ID to prove your identification. The most prevalent form of identification is a driver’s license. If you need identification like a

Although the current 2.2 percent interest rate on Series I savings bonds is appealing, purchasing the bonds has grown more difficult. Paper Series I and EE savings bonds—those handy envelope stuffer gifts—can no longer be purchased in banks or credit unions; instead, you must purchase electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department’s Web-based system. Our

A variable rate of interest is paid on EE bonds purchased between May 1997 and April 30, 2005. Paper bonds were sold at half their face value, so a $50 bond cost $25. TreasuryDirect electronic bonds are offered at face value, which means you pay $25 for a $25 bond. A bond that we sell

Savings bonds can be cashed in any bank for up to $1,000. Can banks refuse to accept savings bonds as payment? Bring your bond to your bank, but not any bank. It has to be an account that you’ve owned for at least six months. If that isn’t possible, you can use a government-issued photo

Although the current 2.2 percent interest rate on Series I savings bonds is appealing, purchasing the bonds has grown more difficult. Paper Series I and EE savings bonds—those handy envelope stuffer gifts—can no longer be purchased in banks or credit unions; instead, you must purchase electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department’s Web-based system. Our

Although the current 2.2 percent interest rate on Series I savings bonds is appealing, purchasing the bonds has grown more difficult. Paper Series I and EE savings bonds—those handy envelope stuffer gifts—can no longer be purchased in banks or credit unions; instead, you must purchase electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department’s Web-based system. Our