Frequently asked questions

Can I invest in Israel bonds online immediately?

Before investing in Israel bonds online you must first register on the eCommerce site by creating an online profile. Once complete you can then either open a new account or link an existing account to your profile. New accounts require approval per Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulations, which generally takes one business day.

What do I need to do before investing online?

Before investing online, you must:

  • Create an online profile (user ID and password), a one-time process.
  • Open a new account or linking existing accounts to your user profile. If you wish to link existing approved accounts, you must call customer service at 888.519.4111.
You can then invest in Israel bonds online.

How is provided information utilized?

Development Corporation for Israel (DCI)/Israel Bonds has a strict privacy policy and does not share information with any third parties, other than as required by law or with Computershare, the State of Israel’s Fiscal Agent. DCI restricts access to nonpublic personal information to employees, consultants, service providers, companies affiliated by common ownership or control and the State of Israel’s fiscal agent who need to know the information to provide products and services and to process transactions on behalf of our customers. To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secure files. DCI maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect privacy and guard nonpublic personal information.

How can you pay for Israel bonds online?

Online transactions are debited electronically from the purchaser’s checking account via ACH (Automated Clearing House). You may not use a credit card to purchase Israel bonds.

Are transactions secure?

Yes. All web transactions are secured and encrypted with HTTPS.

Can any Israel bond be acquired?

All Israel bonds currently offered can be acquired online (other than bonds purchased through the financing program). Customers should check investments and current rates for restrictions pertaining to specific bonds.

Can investments for IRAs and other retirement plans be made online?

No. Transactions for IRAs or pension funds cannot be made through the online site, as funding for these investments must come from the custodian, IRA or pension fund.

Are there any fees associated with investing in Israel bonds online?

For more information regarding fees and other disclosures, please review our Customer Relationship Summary.

How soon will my investment be processed?

It normally takes 3-5 business days from the time you enter your transaction in our system to the time it is confirmed by Computershare. You should receive a confirmation within 7 business days. All bonds are issued on the 1st and 15th of the month after purchase. If we encounter a problem with your transaction, we will contact you to review any questions we may have. All book entry notifications will be mailed from the Fiscal Agent, so be sure to look for Computershare’s return address on the envelope, not Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds.

Will I receive confirmation?

Computershare provides confirmation of payment to the purchaser, a confirmation letter to the registered owner (if that person is different than the purchaser) and will mail a book entry notification to the bondholder (or third party if requested) when the bond issues on the issue date.

Can I use an Israel bond as payment for an online reinvestment?

No. All physical bond reinvestments require a letter of transmittal with original signatures of all current bond holders. To reinvest your bonds call 888-519-4111 or download and complete the relevant Investment Form(s). Send all documents to:

Israel Bonds
Central Processing Department
P.O. Box 5263
New York, NY 10150-5263

Can I use my Fiscal Agent redemption check as a method of payment online?

Fiscal Agent checks cannot be used to reinvest an Israel bond online. Payment for an Israel bond purchased online can be done only via ACH. To reinvest your bond/redemption check, please mail it, together with required investment forms, to:

Israel Bonds
Central Processing Department
P.O Box 5263
New York, NY 10150-5263

Why do I need to provide my Social Security number?

As a registered broker-dealer, we are required to follow FINRA regulations, one of which is to verify the identities of our clients in order to prevent fraudulent or illegal activities. DCI does not disclose non-public personal information about its clients except as permitted by law (see "How is provided information utilized?").

Can the site be used to buy Israel bonds for gifts?

Yes. Gift bonds can be purchased online, and customers also have the option of printing a gift card.

I want to buy bonds for more than one person. Do I have to complete separate transactions for each investment?

Our system allows the user to purchase for as many people as you wish. At the end of each transaction you will be asked if your purchase is complete or if you would like to purchase for additional bond holders. Once finished, your payment will be processed for all purchases in that transaction. The names of the individuals for whom you purchased will be saved so that you can easily purchase for them again at a future date.

What if I don’t have the Social Security number for the bondholder/individual for whom I’m buying the bond?

If the bond is for someone other than yourself you do not need to provide this information. Computershare will request this information directly from the bondholders.

How will the online transaction be displayed in my checking account?

All ACH payments are made payable to the State of Israel.

How long will it take for the transaction to be posted to my account?

The transaction will appear on your statement within 3-7 business days.

Why can’t I obtain a physical certificate for my online investment?

Physical certificates are offered only to government agencies, pension plans, employee benefit/IRA plans and other financial institutions. All others receive book entry notification.

How can I correct information I provided for an investment I made for myself?

For any registration inaccuracies please send a letter or email requesting the correction to:

Development Corporation for Israel
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 5263
New York, NY 10150-5263
or
Customer.Service@israelbonds.com

How can I correct the address or other information for the actual bond holder?

For address, registration or other corrections, please mail a written request, together with the signature of all registered owners, to:

Computershare
Attn: Israel Bonds
P.O 43038
Providence, RI 02940-3038

I didn’t submit my investment in time; can I get the previous period’s interest rate?

No. The interest rate is predicated on when payments are received. Bonds are issued according to the date when your purchase was placed online.

Are linked/created accounts the same as a Computershare account?

No. Computershare accounts are maintained by holder. DCI accounts are by purchaser.

Can both online and other offline purchases be reviewed?

Yes. Investment histories can be accessed online via the user’s profile. Customers with linked accounts can also view investments not made online.

Is the Purchase Website Secure?

Development Corporation for Israel is a Broker Dealer which is a member of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and follows industry standards when it comes to protecting our client's information. This includes the use of security technology such as requiring a client to enter certain information with the click of a mouse, instead of using the keyboard. This process protects clients using unsecured computers from key logging software that can retain keystrokes on a keyboard for use by others at a later date.

Who do I call for more information?

We have a dedicated staff of Customer Service representatives ready to answer questions during normal business hours:

Monday:9AM - 5PM ET
Tuesday:9AM – 7PM ET
Wednesday:9AM – 7PM ET
Thursday:9AM – 5PM ET
Friday:9AM – 5PM ET
Customer Service can be reached at 888-519-4111 or customer.service@israelbonds.com.