LET'S DISCUSS TREASURY BILLS
What Are Treasury Bills (T-Bills)?
- Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term financial instruments issued by the government. Here are the key points:
1. Issued by the Government:
- T-Bills are issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
2. Maturity Periods:
- T-Bills have maturity periods ranging from a few days up to 52 weeks (one year).
- They are considered among the safest investments because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the government.
3. Investment Purpose:
- When an investor buys a T-Bill, they are essentially lending money to the government.
- The government uses this money to fund its debt and cover ongoing expenses.
4. Discount Pricing:
- T-Bills are sold at a discount from their face value (also known as par value).
- For example, a one-year T-Bill with a face value of N1,000,000 may be sold for N950,000.
5. Interest Calculation:
- The difference between the face value and the amount an investor pays is called the discount yield.
- The discount yield is calculated as a percentage.
- There are no regular interest payments during the investment period.
6. Maturity Payment:
- Upon maturity, the investor receives the full face value of the T-Bill.
- For instance, if an investor buys a T-Bill for N950,000, they will receive N1,000,000 at maturity.
ADVANTAGES OF TREASURY BILLS:
1. Safety and Low Risk:
- T-Bills are government-backed and considered very safe.
- Repayment is certain upon maturity, making them a reliable investment choice.
2. Steady Source of Income:
- Although T-Bills offer relatively low yields, they can be a steady source of income.
- Investors receive interest upfront, even though there are no regular interest payments during the investment period.
3. Liquidity:
- T-Bills are highly liquid, meaning they can easily be converted to cash on demand.
- If you need funds quickly, T-Bills provide flexibility.
4. Tax Advantages:
- Interests earned from T-Bills are tax-exempt in Nigeria.
- This tax benefit enhances the overall return for investors.
5. Collateral for Loans:
- T-Bills can serve as collateral for loans from any bank in Nigeria.
- If you need financing, your T-Bills can be used to secure a loan
EXAMPLES OF TREASURY BILLS:
- In Nigeria, T-Bills are actively traded. Here are some recent examples:
1. March 2024:
- On March 28, 2024, the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) auction included:
- 91-day bills: N17.606 billion issued, attracting a subscription of N76.812 billion.
- 182-day bills: N66.2 billion allotted.
- 364-day bills: N1.19 billion allotted.
2. May 2024:
- On May 23, 2024, the NTB issue programme included:
- 91-day bills: N331.01 billion issued.
- 182-day bills: N9.297 billion issued.
- 364-day bills: N168.67 billion issued.
HOW TO BUY TREASURY BILLS IN NIGERIA:
1. Authorized Dealers and Brokers:
- You can buy T-Bills through official dealers, agents, or banks.
- Visit an authorized dealer or broker and complete the T-Bills application form.
- These dealers will submit bids on your behalf.
2. Funding Your Account:
- Ensure your account is funded with the desired value to prevent transaction issues.
3. Minimum Investment Amount:
- The minimum amount you can invest in T-Bills is ₦50 million.
- However, some commercial banks allow investments for as low as ₦100,000.
- Banks pool money from customers to meet the minimum requirement.
4. Mobile Apps:
- You can also buy small volumes of T-Bills (from ₦10,000) using mobile apps like i-invest.
What Are Treasury Bills (T-Bills)?
- Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term financial instruments issued by the government. Here are the key points:
1. Issued by the Government:
- T-Bills are issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
2. Maturity Periods:
- T-Bills have maturity periods ranging from a few days up to 52 weeks (one year).
- They are considered among the safest investments because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the government.
3. Investment Purpose:
- When an investor buys a T-Bill, they are essentially lending money to the government.
- The government uses this money to fund its debt and cover ongoing expenses.
4. Discount Pricing:
- T-Bills are sold at a discount from their face value (also known as par value).
- For example, a one-year T-Bill with a face value of N1,000,000 may be sold for N950,000.
5. Interest Calculation:
- The difference between the face value and the amount an investor pays is called the discount yield.
- The discount yield is calculated as a percentage.
- There are no regular interest payments during the investment period.
6. Maturity Payment:
- Upon maturity, the investor receives the full face value of the T-Bill.
- For instance, if an investor buys a T-Bill for N950,000, they will receive N1,000,000 at maturity.
ADVANTAGES OF TREASURY BILLS:
1. Safety and Low Risk:
- T-Bills are government-backed and considered very safe.
- Repayment is certain upon maturity, making them a reliable investment choice.
2. Steady Source of Income:
- Although T-Bills offer relatively low yields, they can be a steady source of income.
- Investors receive interest upfront, even though there are no regular interest payments during the investment period.
3. Liquidity:
- T-Bills are highly liquid, meaning they can easily be converted to cash on demand.
- If you need funds quickly, T-Bills provide flexibility.
4. Tax Advantages:
- Interests earned from T-Bills are tax-exempt in Nigeria.
- This tax benefit enhances the overall return for investors.
5. Collateral for Loans:
- T-Bills can serve as collateral for loans from any bank in Nigeria.
- If you need financing, your T-Bills can be used to secure a loan
EXAMPLES OF TREASURY BILLS:
- In Nigeria, T-Bills are actively traded. Here are some recent examples:
1. March 2024:
- On March 28, 2024, the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) auction included:
- 91-day bills: N17.606 billion issued, attracting a subscription of N76.812 billion.
- 182-day bills: N66.2 billion allotted.
- 364-day bills: N1.19 billion allotted.
2. May 2024:
- On May 23, 2024, the NTB issue programme included:
- 91-day bills: N331.01 billion issued.
- 182-day bills: N9.297 billion issued.
- 364-day bills: N168.67 billion issued.
HOW TO BUY TREASURY BILLS IN NIGERIA:
1. Authorized Dealers and Brokers:
- You can buy T-Bills through official dealers, agents, or banks.
- Visit an authorized dealer or broker and complete the T-Bills application form.
- These dealers will submit bids on your behalf.
2. Funding Your Account:
- Ensure your account is funded with the desired value to prevent transaction issues.
3. Minimum Investment Amount:
- The minimum amount you can invest in T-Bills is ₦50 million.
- However, some commercial banks allow investments for as low as ₦100,000.
- Banks pool money from customers to meet the minimum requirement.
4. Mobile Apps:
- You can also buy small volumes of T-Bills (from ₦10,000) using mobile apps like i-invest.