Fixed income refers to investments that pay a regular income stream on a predictable schedule. Bonds are the most common fixed income instrument. The investor lends money to a government or company and receives coupon payments in return, with the original capital repaid at maturity.

Bonds can play an important role in a diversified portfolio by providing regular income, helping preserve capital and reducing overall portfolio volatility compared with growth assets such as shares. By combining bonds with other asset classes, investors can improve diversification and build a more resilient portfolio that is better positioned to withstand changing market conditions.

Yes. Bond coupon payments are a legal obligation of the issuer, and a missed payment constitutes an event of default. By contrast, company dividends are at the discretion of the board and can be reduced or suspended entirely. This legal obligation makes bond income significantly more predictable.

Bond ETFs give you exposure to bonds but no control over which bonds you hold. Direct bonds let you select specific issuers and tailor your portfolio to your income needs, risk tolerance, and values, such as ESG preferences. Direct bonds also give you access to exclusive opportunities not available in ETF structures, and ETFs tend to be opaque about their exact holdings.

Your bonds are held in safe custody by J.P. Morgan, acting as sub-custodian and trustee. Critically, your bonds remain your assets at all times and are never commingled with FIIG's own assets. Even if FIIG ceased to operate, your bonds would remain safe. FIIG is fully licensed by ASIC and undergoes an annual independent GS007 Type 2 audit.

FIIG publishes regularly updated retail and wholesale sample portfolios across three risk profiles: Conservative (5 to 6% p.a.), Balanced (6 to 8% p.a.), and High Yield (8 to 12% p.a.). These show actual bond allocations, yield ranges, and income cashflows to give you a clear picture of what your portfolio could look like.

Open a free FIIG account online in minutes. Once approved, you can buy, hold, and sell bonds through the MyFIIG portal with a few clicks. You'll also have access to a dedicated Relationship Manager, monthly reporting, research updates, and expert seminars.

A retail investor is any person investing their own money. A wholesale investor meets thresholds set by ASIC, typically $2.5 million in net assets or $250,000 in gross income per annum. Wholesale investors typically have access to a wider range of bonds and lower minimum investment amounts at FIIG.