What are General Obligation Bonds primarily secured by?

General Obligation Bonds are primarily secured by the taxing power of the jurisdiction. This means that the issuing municipality, such as a city or county, pledges to use its ability to levy taxes to repay the bondholders. The promise to pay back the bondholders is backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer, allowing them to collect taxes from residents or property owners to meet their debt obligations.

This characteristic makes General Obligation Bonds particularly appealing to investors, as they are considered low-risk because the issuer has a reliable source of revenue through taxation. They are often used to finance public projects such as schools, infrastructure, and parks. The assurance that the government can raise taxes to cover the bond payments provides a strong guarantee for investors seeking safety in their investments.