Mossack Fonseca: China Opens Bond Market to Individual Investors

Mossack Fonseca - China’s central bank allowed individual investors to purchase all types of bonds over bank counters beginning 14 February 2016. Individuals with annual incomes of more than 500,000 yuan ($76,500), 3 million yuan of financial assets, and over two years of securities investment experience can now buy any bonds they like over the counter. Previously, only certificate treasury bonds were available to individuals.

The new policy aims to boost the bond market and direct financing. China’s bond market boomed in 2015 due to government policies aimed at diversifying corporate financing channels. Approximately 22.3 trillion yuan of new bonds were issued last year, almost double the sum in 2014.