National Savings and Investments Premium Bonds

It Could Be You (but it probably won't be) I assume that most people are like me and have an ISA. However with the interest rates being so poor in the last few years I have instead decided to stash whatever savings I have in premium bonds instead at least until the interest rates go back up again. What Are Premium Bonds Premium bonds are UK government backed bonds issued under the national savings and investment scheme and have been around since 1956. Instead of putting your money in a bank and gaining interest on it with premium bonds you effectively buy a bond from the goverment and instead ... more

‘I think these are definitely the next big thing, Tel,’ Arthur Daley said as he settled himself comfortably into his favourite chair at the Winchester, put down his London Philharmonic (that’s a G and T to the rest of you), drew on a large Havana, and produced a brochure from his jacket. ‘Premium Bands.’ Terry McCann picked up his pint. ‘They’ve been around for ages, Arfur. Not as long as you ‘ave, though. An’ the name’s Bond - Premium Bond.’ Arthur was obviously so engrossed in the financial advantages that he ignored (or missed) the aspersions on his age and the joke. ‘Whatever they’re ... more

PREMIUM BONDS' HISTORY * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * After the second World War the government were looking at ways to control inflation and encourage people to save . Premium Bonds were introduced by Harold McMillan in the 1956 budget . They went on sale on the 1st November 1956 and so have just , last year , celebrated their 50th anniversary . At the start you could buy premium bonds from £1 upwards , which was quite a lot of money then . The bond you held had an allocated number and these numbers were put in a draw and randomly selected by ERNIE once a month . ERNIE stands for ... more

"There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate: when he can't afford it, and when he can" - Mark Twain. Premium Bonds are a curious affair; part investment and part gamble, they are an almost-lottery run through National Savings and Investments, and backed by the government itself. I had until recently paid scant attention to them, until a chance conversation with my mother revealed that I had in fact owned a set of Premium Bonds since my 1st birthday, when my parents decided that some money given as a gift by my grandparents would be better placed into the bonds than into ... more

National Savings and Investments offer several tax-free investments, including a Cash-only ISA, National Savings Certificates, Children’s Bonus Bonds and Premium Savings Bonds. This opinion covers investments made in Premium Savings Bonds. ***** “Serious Fun” is what National Savings and Investments used to call Premium Bonds. I start to worry when an institution like NS&I tells me that something is going to be fun. I worry even more when they tell me that the fun is going to be “serious” because somehow the words don’t quite fit together, do they? A little bit of background is useful here. It ... more