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Media centre /
Press releaseIT'S A RECORD!24 December 2002JANUARY 2003: 18 BILLION PREMIUM BONDS IN PRIZE DRAW. Following soaring Premium Bond sales of more than £400 million in November 2002 which were bought by more than 300,000 people, a massive 18 billion Bonds will be entered into the prize draw for January 2003. This is only the third time National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has sold more than £400 million of Premium Bonds in a month. Previous record sales months were in January 2002 when £433 million were sold and October 2001, when sales figures reached £403 million. In the past 10 years the number of Premium Bonds in the draw has increased seven-fold and they are held by 23 million people.
Every single one of the 18 billion Bonds in the January draw will have a separate and equal chance of winning one of more than 600,000 tax-free prizes from £50, all the way up to the £1 million jackpot. A rise in the number of Bonds in the draw will mean a corresponding increase in the total value of the prize fund, assuming there is no change in the prize fund rate (see editor's note 1). People who invest the maximum amount of £20,000 can, with average luck, expect to win eight tax-free prizes a year, which means odds of 28,500 to 1 (see notes to editors). And in January 2003, someone's New Year dream will come true as ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) ( the machine that picks the winning Premium Bond numbers ) creates his 106th millionaire. Premium Bonds have gone from strength to strength since they were introduced in 1956. Over 98 million prizes worth £6.3 billion have been given away since the first draw, which took place in July 1957. Premium Bonds are a secure and easy way to save. They can be bought by post from NS&I or at one of 17,500 Post Office branches nationwide. The maximum holding is £20,000, which 300,000 people currently hold, emphasising the serious nature of the investment. Gill Cattanach, commercial director at National Savings and Investments said: "Premium Bonds are more popular than ever before and, increasingly, we are finding that people regard them as a fun, yet secure investment that offers tax-free returns. There's a real buzz every month when the draw takes place and people love the excitement of winning a prize and the opportunity to become a millionaire. "National Savings and Investments aims to be the first port of call for anybody with money to save or invest, a safe haven for those who want guaranteed safety and security for their investments. Premium Bonds provide just this because any money invested in NS&I is 100 per cent guaranteed." For information on how to invest with National Savings and Investments call 0845 964 5000, log on to www.nsandi.com or pick up leaflets in any Post Office branch. ENDS Notes to Editors
Media team The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.
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