War Bond

A war bond is a debt security issued by a government for the purpose of financing military operations during times of war. Investment in War Bonds was done through an emotional appeal to patriotic citizens to lend the government money as these bonds offered a rate of return below the market rate.

A war bond is a debt instrument issued by a government as a means of borrowing money to finance its defense initiatives and military efforts during times of war. A war bond is essentially a loan to a government. In the U.S., the sale of war bonds was overseen by the War Finance Committee.

War bonds were initially known as Defense Bonds and were first issued as Liberty Bonds in 1917 to finance the United States government participation in World War I. Through the sale of these bonds; the government raised $21.5 billion for its war efforts.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. entered the second world war, and Defense Bonds were renamed, War Bonds. War Bonds were purchased by more than 80 million Americans and brought in over $180 billion in revenue.

• A war bond is a debt instrument issued by a government as a means of borrowing money to finance its defense initiatives and military efforts during times of war.
• A war bond is essentially a loan to a government.
• Although War Bonds didn't pay interest payments, they sold for 50% to 75% of their face value and initially had a maturity of ten years.

The bonds sold for 50% to 75% of their face value and had denominations ranging from $10 to $1,000 depending on the year they were issued. The bonds were sold below their face value meaning that investors paid less than the face value initially and were paid the face value amount at maturity. In other words, War Bonds were zero-coupon bonds meaning they didn't pay interest payments throughout the year or coupon payments. Instead, investors earned the difference between the purchase price and the face value of the bond at maturity.

War bonds were baby bonds, which meant they had smaller par values or face values than standard bonds, making them more affordable for retail investors. Another feature of the bonds were that they were non-transferable, meaning that only the bond purchaser could redeem the bonds in the future.

War Bonds originally had a 10-year maturity, which resulted in a 2.9% return. Congress extended the interest that could be earned so that bonds sold from 1941 to 1965 accrued interest for 40 years. Bonds issued after 1965 accrued interest for 20 years. After the end of World War II, War Bonds became known as Series E bonds. The U.S. government continued issuing Series E bonds until 1980 when Series EE bonds replaced them.

Besides the United States government, other countries issued war bonds including Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Austria-Hungary.

The War Advertising Council promoted voluntary compliance with bond buying. Motives to purchase war bonds were embedded on patriotism and conscience, given that these bonds offered a rate of return that was below the prevailing interest rates in the market.

Advertisements for the bonds were carried out through multiple media such as radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and newsreels in theaters in order to reach the American people. Hollywood stars like Bette Davis and Rita Hayworth helped promote war bonds by touring the country. People could save up for War Bonds by contributing 25 cents each time. The Girl Scouts also sold stamps valued at 10 cents each. Norman Rockwell created several paintings as part of the advertising effort for War Bonds.

Although War Bonds are not sold any longer, let's say as an example an investor purchased a War Bond and held it until its maturity in 10 years. The bond was purchased for $75 or at a discount to the $100 face value of the bond. The investor holds the bond for ten years and is paid no interest payments over the ten-year period. At maturity, the investor cashes in the bond and is paid the $100 face value.