NS&I customers are being urged to check their accounts after the latest Premium Bonds draw
NS&I customers are being urged to check their accounts after the latest Premium Bonds draw
An NS&I Premium Bonds holder who first bought their bond in 2006 has landed a £100,000 prize. NS&I customers are being urged to check their accounts after the latest Premium Bonds draw by National Savings and Investments, for February.
NS&I told Birmingham Live: “Customers who think they may have an unclaimed prize (prizes over 18 months old) can check by entering their holder’s number into NS&I’s online prize checker or the prize checker app.”
They added: “Currently there are 2,713,707 unclaimed prizes worth £114,769,950 waiting to be claimed by Bond holders. Over 99% of prizes have been paid to winners since the draw began in 1957.”
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In February, a Bonds holder in Greater London won £100k off just a £700 holding. Their winning Bond, numbered 106JY501812 and worth £100, was purchased in February 2006.
Further afield, and a saver in East Sussex also picked up a £100,000 prize despite holding only £1,706 in total. The successful Bond, numbered 498FZ384823 and worth £150, was bought in April 2022.
om Francis, the head of Digital Advice at Octopus Money, said: “Premium Bonds give you a chance to win big – but it’s a slim one, and you’ll likely be left waiting.
“Our research shows Premium Bond holders wait an average of 3.5 years before they win a penny, and the odds are skewed towards those with the biggest holdings: 94 per cent of jackpot winners held over £10,000.
“For the vast majority of everyday savers, they are failing to deliver returns while the money loses value to inflation.
“Even I’ve been tempted by the thrill of a prize draw, but if you have failed to win month after month, it might be time to think about where else you could put your money to make it work harder for you.
“Cash ISAs deliver reliable returns, while for many a Stocks and Share ISA can be a great first step into investing.”
Valentijn Bakker, Editor of Nieuwe Casino, said: “The Premium Bond winners this month took a safer investment approach at a time when saving money is paramount and saw their patience rewarded.
“Premium Bonds are a low-stake, high-reward way of investing money that requires a bit of luck, but can provide plenty of excitement along the way. Not to mention high returns that will have offered much-needed financial relief to many this month.”