FAQ

Do I need a Bondlink account to view and download documents?

You do not need a Bondlink account to view or download documents located under the Documents page on InvestInRiverside.com. However, as discussed below, in order to view or download a Preliminary or Final Official Statement (POS or OS) or Notice of Sale (NOS) found on the Bonds page an account may need to be established with either Bondlink or other electronic distribution providers for a particular bond offering. 

Why should I create a Bondlink account?

Creating a Bondlink account is free and provides a user with enhanced functions including storage of documents, automatic e-mail notifications, an investor dashboard portal and more. Your personal information will not be disclosed, made available, or otherwise used by Bondlink or the City of Riverside for purposes other than those specified, except with your consent, or as required by law or regulation. Please refer to the City of Riverside privacy statement at https://riversideca.gov/privacy.asp. 

Do I need an account to view the POS, OS, or NOS for a bond offering listed on InvestInRiverside.com?

The City of Riverside utilizes various electronic distribution providers for its bond offerings. If Bondlink is serving as the electronic distribution provider for a particular bond offering, a Bondlink account will be required in order to view or download bond offering documents found on the Bonds page. If Bondlink is not serving as the electronic distribution provider for a particular bond offering, a Bondlink account is not required.  However, the electronic distribution provider hosting the bond offering documents for a particular sale may require you to establish an account in order to view the offering documents.

Why do I need an account with an electronic distribution provider in order to view a POS, OS, or NOS?

The City of Riverside utilizes electronic distribution providers to facilitate the timely distribution of electronic versions of offering documents to investors.  The electronic distribution provider may require an account to view such offering documents in order to ensure that any supplements or updates to a POS, OS, or NOS will be distributed to each user that has viewed or downloaded the original document, thus ensuring that investors have the most up to date information to make an informed investment decision.

Do I need a Bondlink account to receive alerts from the City of Riverside when the POS for a bond offering is available?

Yes, to receive an e-mail alert from the City of Riverside when the POS, or NOS for a bond offering is available, please create a Bondlink account and opt to receive ‘Bond Offerings’ notifications.

Step 1 - Learn about the bonds

Read the Preliminary Official Statement (POS) available from this web site or from the participating brokers to learn more about the bonds, including their security, maturity dates, credit ratings, the types of projects they finance and other information that you may find important to help you make an informed investment decision. This website is not an offer to sell any bonds.

Step 2 - Open a brokerage account

You must have an account with one of the brokerage firms participating in the bond sale, or with another firm that can place an order through a brokerage firm participating in the bond sale. Please check to determine if your broker can place an order through the participating brokers. (If you have a brokerage account, go to Step 3.) If you do not have an account, you may open one and purchase bonds during the Retail Sale Order Period.

Investors are encouraged to begin the New Account process well in advance of the sale date. Depending on the brokerage firm, internal new account procedures may take some time to process.

Step 3 - Place your order

Contact the broker with whom you have an account, either online or by phone, to get more information about how to buy bonds during the Retail Sales period. Discuss with the broker the number of bonds, the maturity date and the price at which you are willing to purchase the bonds, as well as any questions you may have from examining the Preliminary Official Statement (POS).

To pay for large capital (construction) projects, cities sell bonds and use the money to pay for the projects. Bonds are sold to investors, also known as bondholders, who are looking for a stable return in the future on the money they invest today. The City promises to repay the bondholders, with interest, over a specific time period (often 30 years). The length of time it takes to repay the bondholders means that we make sure that the bonds align with the project’s life span, such as roads, parks, and buildings. The bond repayment is funded through property taxes the City receives. Bonds are just one way to pay for capital projects. Cities also use other forms of taxes, such as sales taxes, or other types of fees, such as water service fees, to pay for large construction projects. Bond programs must be approved by voters. The City of Riverside typically puts a new bond program forth to the voters every four to five years.