[Bond Investment Guide] How to Buy Bonds in Hong Kong?

Views 21k2026.08.21

[Silver Bond 2026] Guaranteed return of 4.25%! How can you secure the maximum "9 exemptions" when subscribing?

Summary of the text
Silver Bonds are retail bonds issued by the Hong Kong government for individuals aged 60 or above. The latest issuance in 2026 has a maximum size of HK$55 billion, with a three-year term, a guaranteed annual interest rate of 4.25%, and is linked to inflation. They carry low credit risk, have no secondary market trading, and allow for early redemption of principal and interest. The subscription period runs from August 21 to September 4, with a minimum subscription of HK$10,000. Subscribers who place orders through Futu Securities enjoy exemption from nine types of fees. Allocation follows a "rotating distribution" mechanism, giving priority to small investors, with an upper limit of HK$1 million per investor. Strong demand is expected, as these bonds offer stable returns and unique market characteristics, making them well-suited for investors seeking fixed-income exposure.

What is a silver bond?

The Silver Bond is a retail bond issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, offering a stable‑return investment option for individuals aged 60 or above. Its interest rate is linked to the average annual inflation rate and features a minimum yield; the principal is repaid at maturity. The Silver Bond 2026 was officially launched on September 15, with an issuance size of up to HK$55 billion (targeting HK$50 billion) and a coupon rate of no less than 4.25%.

2026's latest silver bond subscription offer: Futu provides up to "9 exemptions"

Currently, Futu offers subscription to silver bonds and provides9 free offers! Includes waivers of subscription fees, early redemption fees, custody fees, and more. Currently, if you successfully open an account and subscribe, you can also enjoy up to$1,600 Welcome Bonus

Silver bond subscription

Charging item

Charging

Charging party

Subscription

Subscription handling fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Application processing fee

Free of charge

Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company¹

Regular dividend payments

Interest collection service fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Bond redemption

Redemption fee upon maturity

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Early redemption fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Other services

Inactive account fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Custody fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Transfer fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

Transfer-out fee

Free of charge

Futu Securities waives

1 Futu Securities bears this fee on behalf of its clients, as charged by the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company.

Note: Fees may be subject to real-time adjustments in accordance with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange or relevant regulatory authorities, and the final announcement shall prevail.

What are the latest eligibility requirements for Silver Bonds?

1. Age Requirement: Applicants must be aged 60 or older as of the bond application deadline.

2. Hong Kong Resident Status: Applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or a Hong Kong Identity Card.

Subscription Method for the Silver Bond 2026

After the subscription opens, you can go to the Futubull app—Market—New Share Center to find Silver Bond and place your order. Note: Applicants who subscribe to Silver Bond through Futu must hold a Futu Securities account.

The silver bond is expected to announce its issuance size, subscription details, and allocation results no later than September 14, with an official issuance date of September 15, 2026. You can check the subscription results by going to the Futubull App—Market—New Share Center—Subscription Records.


Latest Subscription Details for the Silver Bond 2026

Subscription Period: August 21, 2026, 09:00 – September 4, 2026, 14:00
Minimum denomination: HK$10,000 per lot
Bond term: 3 years, with interest payments made every six months.
Guaranteed annual interest rate: 4.25% per annum
Each person may submit only one application; duplicate applications will not be accepted, and investors may apply for the bonds through only one designated distributing institution.

What are the features of silver bonds?

1. Guaranteed minimum mechanism, unaffected by interest rate fluctuations

The interest rate on silver bonds is linked to inflation, with the higher of the fixed and floating rates applied as the effective interest rate. The fixed rate is 4.25%, while the floating rate is calculated as the arithmetic average of the year-on-year changes in the Composite Consumer Price Index published by the Census and Statistics Department over the most recent six-month period, thereby mitigating uncertainty and controversy arising from inflationary fluctuations.

Because the government has "guaranteed" a minimum interest rate of 4.25%, if you successfully win one unit of the silver bond—worth HK$10,000—you will receive at least 4.25% in annual interest, or HK$1,275. Moreover, should inflation exceed 4.25%, your actual yield will be even higher.

Silver bonds are issued by the Hong Kong Government and boast a high credit rating, resulting in extremely low credit risk. These bonds do not have a secondary market; if investors wish to cash out before maturity, the government will redeem them at par value plus any accrued interest. Should the need arise, bondholders may sell their bonds back to the government to recover both principal and interest, so investors need not worry about the impact of interest-rate cut cycles during the holding period.

2. "Cyclical Distribution," benefiting small investors

The allocation mechanism for silver bonds is very similar to that of green bonds and iBonds, aiming to accommodate retail investors with a per‑person cap of HK$1 million. If total subscriptions do not exceed HK$50 billion, all applications will be fully satisfied; if subscriptions are between HK$50 billion and HK$55 billion, additional issuance may be undertaken on a discretionary basis to meet all requests. Should total subscriptions exceed HK$55 billion, allocations will be made on a rolling basis.

The so‑called "circular allocation" can be understood simply as follows: the government will first allocate a tranche of bonds to each applicant. If the number of applicants exceeds 5 million, a lottery will be held to determine who receives bond allocations (with a target issuance size of HK$50 billion).

If any silver bonds remain, the government will allocate one additional bond to each citizen who subscribed to second‑hand or higher‑tier silver bonds. Should there be insufficient bonds to issue a second hand to every eligible applicant, allocation will be determined by lottery. Thereafter, the government will continue to apply this mechanism, issuing third, fourth, or further hands of silver bonds to investors until all available bonds have been distributed.

Advantages of silver bonds

1. Guaranteed Return

The guaranteed annual interest rate is 4.25%, and currently, Futu Cash Treasure offers a maximum 7-day annualized yield of 2.1844% for HKD and 3.5624% for USD.

2. Backed by the government, with extremely high security

Silver bonds are issued by the government and boast a high credit rating. They guarantee repayment of principal at par upon maturity, which is their greatest appeal to risk-averse seniors.

3. High flexibility, stable cash flow

With a term of just three years, the funds are not locked up for the long term, and holders can request early redemption from the government at par value at any time for other purposes. The silver bond pays interest semiannually, helping seniors meet their daily living expenses and generating a stable cash flow.

4. Low cost

By participating in the subscription through Futu, you can enjoy nine fee waivers (no fees for subscription, redemption, etc.). Bond offerings are available in lots of HK$10,000, making them accessible to all.

5. Simple and easy to understand

Silver bonds do not involve complex investment structures and, unlike stocks, are not subject to price‑fluctuation risk, making them accessible even to older investors with limited experience.

Silver Bond Dividend Payment Details

Year of release

Fixed interest rate

Maximum allocation

Total dividend per share*

Maximum total dividend payout*

2025

3.85%

17

At least 1,155*

At least 19,635*

2024

4.00%

24

At least 1,200*

At least 28,800*

2023

5.00%

23

At least 1,500*

At least 34,500*

2022

4.00%

21

1,200

25,200

2021

3.50%

14

1,052

14,740

2020

3.50%

14

1,052

14,740

2019

3.00%

6

912

5,472

2018

3.00%

8

910

7,280

2017

2.00%

10

722

7,220

2016

2.00%

5

679

3,395

Unit: Hong Kong dollars

*The Silver Bond 2024/2025 has not yet matured, and both the dividend period and the interest rate are calculated based on a fixed rate.

The foregoing information is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results and does not represent any forecast or guarantee of returns on silver bonds.

Futu provides9-Item Fee Waiver Offer, all of which are directly waived at the time of customer subscription. The waived fees include the subscription handling fee, application handling fee, custody fee, dormant account fee, transfer-in fee, transfer-out fee, interest collection handling fee, early redemption fee, and maturity redemption fee. In addition, customers who successfully open an account now can enjoy up to$1,600 Welcome Bonus

2026's latest NUP rewards

Frequency Asked Questions
What is a silver bond?
The Silver Bond is a retail bond issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, offering a stable‑return investment option for individuals aged 60 or above. Its interest rate is linked to the average annual inflation rate, with a minimum guaranteed rate, and the principal is repaid on the bond's maturity date.
What benefits are available when subscribing to the Silver Bond?
Currently, Futu offers subscriptions to silver bonds and provides nine fee waivers, including exemption from subscription fees, early redemption fees, custody fees, and more.
What are the eligibility requirements for Silver Bonds?
1. Age requirement: Applicants must be aged 60 or above as of the bond application deadline.
2. Hong Kong resident status: Applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or a Hong Kong Identity Card.
What are the subscription details for the 2026 Hong Kong Silver Bonds?
Subscription Period: August 21, 2026, 09:00 to September 4, 2026, 14:00
Minimum Denomination: HK$10,000 per lot
Bond Tenor: 3 years, with interest payments made every six months
Guaranteed Annual Coupon Rate: 4.25%

Each investor may submit only one application; duplicate applications will not be accepted. Investors may apply for the bond through only one designated underwriting institution.
What is the yield on the 2026 silver bond?
2026 Silver Bond guaranteed annual interest rate: 4.25%. Bond term: 3 years, with interest payments made every six months.

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Disclaimer:

This content is not and should not be regarded as an invitation, solicitation, invitation or recommendation to buy or sell any investment products or the basis for investment decisions, nor should it be construed as professional advice. Before making any investment decision, investors should fully understand the risks and the relevant legal, tax and accounting perspectives and consequences, and decide based on their personal circumstances whether the investment is suitable for their personal financial situation and investment objectives, and whether they can afford it. Appropriate professional advice should be sought where necessary regarding the risks.

The information from third parties displayed on the Futu application, website and event pages is for reference only and does not constitute any recommendation.

The above content does not represent any position of Futu and does not constitute any investment advice related to Futu. Before making any investment decision, investors should consider the risk factors related to investment products based on their own circumstances and seek professional investment advice when necessary. Futu tries its best but cannot confirm the authenticity, accuracy and originality of the above content, and Futu does not make any guarantee or commitment in this regard.

"Futubull" is a one-stop financial investment and trading platform. The securities trading service is provided by Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited.

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