National Savings and Investments
 


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Press release

NS&I INCREASES PREMIUM BONDS PRIZE FUND RATE

16 September 2009

  • Premium Bonds prize fund rate increases from 1% to 1.5% from the October 2009 prize draw
  • Odds improved to 24,000 to 1, estimated to create an extra 500,000 Premium Bond prizes to be distributed in the October prize draw
  • Premium Bond holders with the maximum amount invested and average luck could win 15 tax-free prizes per year with the new odds

NS&I today announced that it is increasing the Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 1.5% from the October 2009 prize draw onwards. The odds of winning are also improving from 36,000 to 1 to 24,000 to 1, estimated to create an extra 500,000 Premium Bond prizes to be distributed in the monthly draw - with over 1.7 million tax-free1 prizes now set to be awarded next month.

The number of prizes a Premium Bond holder with the maximum amount invested (£30,000) could win each year, with average luck, will rise from 10 to 15 with the new odds.

NS&I reviews the interest rates on all of its savings products each month to ensure it continues to balance the interests of its savers, the taxpayer and the stability of the wider financial services market.

Peter Cornish, Director of Customer Offer, NS&I, said: “Premium Bonds are hugely popular with our customers and we know that winning prizes frequently is particularly important to them. These changes mean we can increase the frequency of an envelope from ERNIE dropping on their doormat.”  

The effect of changes in the Premium Bond prize fund rate

 

 

September 2009

October 2009 (estimate)

       

Total value of prizes

 

£33,800,350

£52,471,603

       

Total number of Prizes

 

1,126,679

1,749,053

       

Prize fund rate

 

1.00%

1.50%

       

Odds of winning a prize

 

36,000 to 1

24,000 to 1

     
Prize band split:      
       
Higher value prizes(£5,000+)  

6%

6%

       
Medium value (£500+)  

5%

5%

       

Lower value (£25+)

 

89%

89%

 

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.  Tax-free means that prizes are exempt from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax

Media team
NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.

Gareth Headon 020 7348 9494
gareth.headon@nsandi.com
Gill Stephens 020 7348 9449
gill.stephens@nsandi.com
Iman Asante 020 7348 9301
iman.asante@nsandi.com
Monica Del-Villar 020 7348 9654
monica.del-villar@nsandi.com

ISDN for interviews

020 7602 4522

Out of hours

All numbers above diverted to staffed mobile phones
 

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