FAQs

What is Canada-Israel Securities, Limited?

Canada-Israel Securities, Limited (CISL) sells Israel bonds in Canada and is part of a worldwide network of broker-dealers that sell Israel bonds in the United States, Europe and Latin America. For the past three years, annual U.S. sales have exceeded $1 billion. Prior to 2011, annual U.S. sales averaged approximately $600 million. Worldwide sales since the first Israel bonds were issued in 1951 are approaching $40 billion.

What does the Bonds organization mean to Israel?

For Israel, having the support of Israel Bonds - a reliable and independent financial pipeline - is an invaluable and strategic national resource, especially since Bonds clients have proven time and again that when Israel is in the midst of a crisis, they do not walk away. Fitch Ratings confirmed this in an opinion issued in May 2016, in which the agency noted that Israel benefits from “an active diaspora bond program... in the event of market disruption.” By highlighting Israel Bonds, Fitch recognizes that the diaspora can be a unified force for Israel.

Are Israel bonds reliable investments?

Investors value Israel’s impeccable record of having never defaulted on payment of principal or interest on Israel bonds. At a time of continued volatility in financial markets, Israel bonds are recognized as reliable investments, dispelling, once and for all, outdated misconceptions of Israel bonds as ‘charity.’ Additionally, the fact that numerous retail transactions are in $25,000 and under highlights the widespread appeal of investing in Israel bonds.

Who invests in Israel bonds?

Retail clients – individuals and Jewish organizations – comprise approximately 65 percent of worldwide sales. The remaining 35 percent encompasses institutional investors, including U.S. states, municipalities, financial institutions, corporations, foundations and others.

How valuable is the Israel Bonds client base?

Throughout the years, Israel Bonds has successfully developed a sizeable, diverse client base even the largest financial firms would envy.

Why are Israel Bonds institutional investors significant?

The Bonds organization’s client base is augmented by high-profile institutional investors who make substantial Israel bond investments. The immediate name recognition of these investors gives Bonds retail clients assurance they are making the same investment as institutions with the highest fiduciary standards.

How strong is Israel’s economy, given the fact that the global economy continues to be unstable?

Israel’s economy is dynamic, full of innovative spirit and groundbreaking entrepreneurship, and currently well-positioned to outpace most other developed nations, particularly with the revenue stream being generated through its massive natural gas fields. Investing in Israel bonds is a means of becoming a stakeholder in one of the world’s most resilient economies.

How have Israel bond sales impacted Israel’s development?

Proceeds from the sale of bonds have played a decisive role in Israel’s rapid evolution into a groundbreaking, globally emulated leader in high-tech, cleantech and biotech. Israel bond capital has helped strengthen every aspect of Israel’s economy, enabling national infrastructure development. Today, expanded transportation networks enabled by investments in Israel bonds help facilitate shipment of ‘Made in Israel’ technology around the world, enhancing national export growth.

Are Israel bonds necessary under normal economic conditions?

Israel’s Treasury endeavors not to raise funds more than once a year in order to maintain fiscal credibility with financial markets and ratings agencies. When the Treasury does issue bonds in overseas public markets, they are usually long-term bonds with 10-year maturities. Securities offered by the Bonds organization complement Treasury-issued bonds by including short and medium-term maturities that are sold on a daily basis.

Are Israel bonds bought in large numbers only when Israel faces a crisis?

Surpassing $1 billion in U.S. sales annually for each of the past three years counters perceptions that Israel bonds are bought in great numbers only when Israel faces a national emergency. The sales can be attributed to recognition of the value of investing in Israel bonds, and, especially, confidence in the Israeli economy. The accomplishments of the past three years highlight the success the Bonds organization has had in shifting the narrative from the geopolitical to the economic.

If there were a crisis, could Israel turn to capital markets?

While Israel successfully utilizes public markets for debt financing, it almost certainly would not be able to rely solely on these markets in times of economic or security challenge. Under either of those circumstances, it is more than likely Israel’s credit rating would drop, and, as a result, the cost of financing through capital markets could become prohibitively expensive.

Can Israel rely on commercial bank financing in times of economic or security challenges?

Were Israel not to have access to the Israel Bonds client base and urgently need to re-establish it, the cost of securing necessary interim credit lines from commercial banks would be substantial. Regional conflict could also lead to credit lines not being extended to Israel.

What about economic assistance from the United States?

Although the U.S. is one of Israel's staunchest allies, its debt burden would make it challenging to reinstitute a significant civilian aid program for Israel during a crisis.

Who comprises Israel Bonds’ human capital?

The Bonds organization is comprised of a professional team with a unique skill set. Similar to the staff of leading financial firms, Israel Bonds human capital is a valuable corporate resource.