The bond market was not built with retail investors in mind. Six-figure minimums, institutional intermediaries, and limited access to high-yield corporate bonds kept individual investors on the outside for decades.
That barrier has lowered now that a growing number of regulated investment platforms give retail investors access to bonds from multiple issuers across industries, with entry points as low as €50 and flexible cash-out options that did not exist in traditional markets.
More access, though, brings more decisions. Each investment platform structures its offering differently. Some focus on government bonds, others on corporate issuers. Some offer only automated portfolios, others only manual selection. Fee structures vary. Secondary market availability varies. The way issuers are assessed and risk is communicated varies. An investor looking to invest in bonds today has more options than ever, and less clarity on which platform fits their priorities.
For investors exploring where to invest in bonds, the sections ahead cover how bond trading works on Mintos, which high-yield bonds are available, how issuers are evaluated, and what the experience could look like in practice.
This is a marketing communication and in no way should be viewed as investment research, investment advice, or recommendation to invest. The value of your investment can go up as well as down. Past performance of financial instruments does not guarantee future returns. Investing in financial instruments involves risk; before investing, consider your knowledge, experience, financial situation, and investment objectives.
In this guide to investing in bonds on Mintos
- Bond trading on Mintos
- High-yield bonds on Mintos
- Individual bonds vs bond ETFs
- Issuer assessment and bond risks
- The secondary market on Mintos
- Bonds vs loans on Mintos
Bond trading on Mintos
Bond trading on Mintos follows a straightforward process. Bonds are listed on the primary market, where investors can browse available offerings, review the terms, and invest directly.
Each bond listing includes the details an investor might need to evaluate the opportunity: issuer name, yield, coupon rate, maturity date, face value, minimum investment amount, and the Mintos Risk Score for bonds where available.
The process works in 3 steps:
- Choose from a diverse selection of high-yield corporate bonds
- Review the bond’s terms, documentation, and risk profile
- Invest from as little as €50
Once invested, the bond issuer pays regular interest (coupon payments) according to the bond’s schedule. When the bond ends, the initial investment is paid back.
For investors who prefer not to select individual bonds, Mintos also offers an automated investment option through the High-Yield Bonds portfolio. It invests across a selection of bonds automatically, prioritizing diversification, and removing the need to evaluate each opportunity individually.
Once a bond is purchased, its price and performance can change. Several factors shape what happens next.
High-yield bonds on Mintos
The bonds available on Mintos are high-yield corporate bonds, issued by companies rather than governments. Issuers tend to be mid-sized companies that may not carry investment-grade credit ratings. Higher coupon rates compensate investors for accepting that additional credit risk.
On Mintos, the high-yield bonds available share several characteristics:
- Corporate issuers across multiple industries and geographies
- Maturities ranging from short to medium term
- Minimum investments starting from €50
- Scheduled coupon payments throughout the life of the bond
The appeal is clear: higher income potential than government or investment-grade bonds, with a defined coupon and a defined maturity. Predictability makes high-yield bonds a consideration for investors looking to earn regular fixed income from their allocation.
The trade-off is equally clear. High-yield corporate bonds carry a greater probability of issuer default compared to government bonds. Credit quality, issuer financials, and the broader economic environment all affect whether the income received adequately compensates for that risk. Since receiving scheduled coupon payments is dependent on issuers meeting their financial obligations.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results, and capital is at risk.
Individual bonds on Mintos vs bond ETFs
Investors considering how to invest in bonds on Mintos may also weigh the option against bond ETFs available on other investment platforms. Both provide access to the bond market, but the mechanics differ in ways that affect control, income predictability, and how capital is managed.
Bonds vs bond ETFs comes down to 3 differences:
Maturity: Individual bonds on Mintos have a defined maturity date. The face value is returned at the end of the term, and the investor knows the timeline from the start. Bond ETFs do not have a fixed maturity. The fund continuously replaces bonds as they mature, meaning the composition and income profile change over time.
Control: Investing in individual bonds on Mintos means choosing specific issuers, maturities, and coupon structures. The investor builds the allocation directly. With a bond ETF, a fund manager determines which bonds are held, and the investor has limited influence over the selection.
Income predictability: A fixed-coupon bond on Mintos pays a defined amount on a defined schedule. That income stream is known from the point of purchase, assuming the issuer meets its obligations. Bond ETF distributions vary as the underlying bonds change, making income less predictable.
Individual bonds | Bond ETFs | |
Maturity | Fixed, defined at purchase | No fixed maturity |
Control | Full issuer and term selection | Fund manager decides |
Income | Fixed coupon, predictable schedule | Variable distributions |
Diversification | Depends on number of bonds held | Built into the fund |
Minimum investment | From €50 | Varies by fund |
Fees | No ongoing management fee for individual bonds | Fund management fee applies |
The core distinction is ownership. Investing directly in individual bonds means holding a specific bond from a specific issuer, with a known coupon and a known end date. A bond ETF pools capital across many bonds, and the fund manager controls what goes in and out. That trade-off between control and convenience is what separates the two.
On Mintos, it is worth noting that not all bond investments are structured the same way. Direct bond investments mean the investor owns the bond (or a fraction of it) and receives coupon payments directly from the issuer. Bond-backed securities, issued by a special-purpose entity within the Mintos group, work differently. The entity holds the underlying bond and passes its returns to the investor. The investment type is identifiable through the ISIN on each bond listing.
Neither approach is inherently better. The right choice depends on whether an investor prioritizes control and income certainty, or convenience and broader diversification.
Issuer assessment and bond risks on Mintos
Every bond on Mintos goes through an assessment process before it reaches the Primary Market. This process is part of evaluating bond risks on the platform.
The Mintos Risk Score for bonds
Mintos uses an internally developed analysis model to evaluate select bonds listed on the platform. The model assesses multiple factors and combines them into a single Mintos Risk Score for bonds, designed to give investors a structured view of a bond’s risk profile.
The assessment covers 4 areas:
Financial analysis
(60% of the score) The largest component. This examines the issuer’s revenue, leverage, interest coverage, profitability, and equity ratio. Each factor is scored individually and weighted to reflect its importance in assessing the issuer’s ability to service debt.
Business profile
(25% of the score) This evaluates the issuer’s capital market presence, industry dynamics, market position, competitive advantages, and diversification across products, geographies, or customer segments.
Country risk
(10% of the score) Based on the sovereign credit rating of the issuer’s home country, reflecting the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment in which the issuer operates.
Bond structure
(5% of the score) Evaluates the bond’s seniority, collateral quality, and guarantees. Senior secured bonds with strong collateral score higher than unsecured or subordinated structures.
The total score falls on a 0-100 scale across 4 categories:
Score range | Risk score |
75-100 | Relatively low risk |
50-74 | Moderate risk |
25-49 | Elevated risk |
0-24 | Highest risk |
The score is available on bond listing pages and individual bond detail pages on the Primary Market.
What the score does and does not do
The Mintos Risk Score for bonds is an informational tool, not a credit rating under EU regulation. It is calculated using publicly available and issuer-provided data, which may be incomplete or subject to change. The score is generated in whole or in part using artificial intelligence and is therefore subject to error.
Investors should always review the official bond documentation and conduct their own assessment alongside the Mintos Risk Score. The score does not constitute investment advice.
Ongoing monitoring
Assessment does not stop at listing. Mintos performs due diligence during issuer onboarding and continues monitoring after bonds are listed on the platform.
The Mintos Secondary Market for bonds
The Mintos Secondary Market allows investors to sell bonds before maturity. This provides a degree of liquidity that holding a bond to maturity alone does not offer.
How the Mintos Secondary Market works
When an investor lists a bond for sale on the secondary market, other investors on the platform can purchase it. The seller sets the price, while demand affects how quickly the bond is sold.
This differs from traditional over-the-counter bond markets, where transactions are negotiated between parties through intermediaries. On Mintos, the secondary market operates within the platform, giving investors a direct route to sell positions without leaving the ecosystem.
What affects secondary market liquidity
Not every bond will sell immediately or at the desired price. Several factors affect how quickly a bond trades on the secondary market:
- Demand from other investors on the platform
- The bond’s coupon rate relative to current market conditions
- The issuer’s credit profile and Mintos Risk Score
- Time remaining to maturity
During periods of lower demand or market uncertainty, bonds may take longer to sell, and the price received may differ from the face value or the price originally paid.
Cash out from the High-Yield Bonds portfolio
When using the automated High-Yield Bonds portfolio, a cash-out option is available. This allows withdrawals from the portfolio, executed at prevailing market prices on the day. Cash-out processing can range from a few minutes to a few days, depending on conditions.
Bonds vs loans on Mintos
Mintos offers both bonds and loans as investment products. While both generate income through regular payments, they work differently in structure, risk profile, and how returns are generated.
How bonds work on Mintos
As a quick refresher, when investing in bonds on Mintos, the investor lends capital directly to a corporate issuer. The bond has a defined coupon, maturity, and face value. Income comes from coupon payments, and the principal is returned at maturity, provided the issuer meets its obligations.
How loans work on Mintos
When investing in loans on Mintos, the investor purchases Notes, which are financial instruments backed by underlying consumer or business loans. The lending company originates and services the loans, while the investor receives interest payments passed through from the borrowers.
Loans on Mintos can include a buyback obligation, where the lending company agrees to repurchase the Note under certain conditions.
Key differences between bonds and loans on Mintos
Bonds | Loans (Notes) | |
Instrument | Direct bond | Note backed by underlying loan |
Issuer | Corporate bond issuer | Lending company |
Income source | Coupon payments | Interest from underlying loans |
Buyback obligation | No | Available on select Notes |
Risk assessment | Mintos Risk Score for bonds (0-100) | Mintos Risk Score for Notes (1.0-10.0) |
Minimum investment | From €50 | From €50 |
Secondary market | Available | Available |
Automated option | High-Yield Bonds portfolio | Core Loans and Custom Loans portfolios |
Both carry risk. Bond investors face credit risk tied to the issuer’s ability to repay. Loan investors face credit risk from both the underlying borrowers and the lending company.
The choice between bonds and loans depends on individual objectives, risk tolerance, and how an investor prefers to structure their allocation. Both can sit within the same portfolio on Mintos, serving different roles.
Invest in bonds on Mintos
Mintos is a regulated investment platform licensed by Latvijas Banka that gives retail investors access to high-yield corporate bonds.
✓ Invest your way: Hand-pick individual bonds or, if suitable, let an automated High-Yield Bonds portfolio do the work for you
✓ Fixed income from €50: You could start earning scheduled returns with a low minimum investment
✓ Bonds from 40+ different issuers available: Diversify across industries, geographies, and companies
✓ Flexible access: Sell on the Secondary Market or request a cash out of your High-Yield Bonds portfolio, subject to demand
Developed by the Mintos Content Team, making investment knowledge accessible for everyday investors across Europe.
Frequently asked questions about investing in bonds on Mintos
How does bond trading work on Mintos?
Bonds are listed on the platform where investors can review terms, documentation, and the Mintos Risk Score before investing. Once purchased, coupon payments follow the bond’s schedule. Bonds can also be sold before maturity through the secondary market, where pricing depends on demand and market conditions. Bond trading liquidity varies depending on the bond and current platform activity.
What happens when a bond defaults on Mintos?
A bond default occurs when the issuer fails to meet its payment obligations, whether coupon payments or principal repayment. Recovery depends on the bond’s seniority, available collateral, and the outcome of any restructuring process. The bond default rate for high-yield issuers is potentially higher than for investment-grade bonds, which is reflected in the higher coupon rates these bonds offer.
What is the Mintos Risk Score for bonds?
The Mintos Risk Score for bonds is an internally developed assessment that evaluates financial strength, business profile, country risk, and bond structure. The score ranges from 0 to 100 across 4 risk categories. It is an informational tool, not a credit rating, and does not constitute investment advice.
Can bonds be sold before maturity on Mintos?
Yes. Bonds can be listed for sale on the secondary market. The price at which a bond sells depends on demand from other investors. During periods of lower demand, bonds may take longer to sell or sell at a different price than expected. For the High-Yield Bonds portfolio, a cash-out option allows withdrawals at prevailing market prices.
What is the difference between bonds and loans on Mintos?
Bonds are direct corporate debt instruments with fixed coupons and maturities. Loans are Notes backed by underlying consumer or business loans, originated by lending companies. Bonds do not include a buyback obligation. Loans on select Notes do. Each has a separate risk assessment: Mintos Risk Score for bonds (0-100) and Mintos Risk Score for Notes (1.0-10.0).
What is a High-Yield Bonds portfolio?
The High-Yield Bonds portfolio is an automated investment option on Mintos that diversifies across at least 20 high-yield bonds. It reinvests coupon payments automatically and adjusts as new bonds become available. The portfolio management fee is 0.39%, charged monthly. Cash out is available at prevailing market prices.
How does Mintos evaluate bond issuers?
Mintos uses an internally developed model that assesses 4 areas: financial analysis (60%), business profile (25%), country risk (10%), and bond structure (5%). The assessment uses publicly available and issuer-provided data. Due diligence is performed during onboarding and continues through ongoing monitoring.
What is the minimum investment for bonds on Mintos?
The minimum investment for individual bonds and the High-Yield Bonds portfolio on Mintos starts from €50.
