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9th November 2017

A boost for savers: NS&I increases interest rates

NS&I has today announced that it is increasing interest rates across its variable rate product range, including Premium Bonds, from 1 December. NS&I will pass on the Bank of England’s interest rate rise to savers, following the decision to increase the base rate from 0.25% to 0.50%.

Interest rates paid on Direct ISA, Direct Saver, Income Bonds, Investment Account and Junior ISA will increase by 25 basis points from 1 December 2017. The prize fund rate on Premium Bonds will also increase by 25 basis points to 1.40% and the odds will improve from 30,000 to 1 to 24,500 to 1. The number of prizes paid out each month will increase from 2.3 million to circa 2.9 million - the highest number of prizes in any monthly Premium Bonds prize draw to date. The changes will come into effect from the December 2017 draw.

Ian Ackerley, Chief Executive, NS&I, said:

“NS&I is pleased to be able to offer savers increased rates across our variable products. By reflecting the change in the base rate we are continuing to meet the needs of savers, whilst also balancing the interests of taxpayers and the stability of the broader financial services sector.

“For our 25 million customers, including around 21 million Premium Bonds customers, these changes will present a welcome boost. NS&I will be giving out the largest number of Premium Bond prizes every month, an estimated 2.9 million, and all money invested is 100% secure, as NS&I is backed by HM Treasury.”

Variable rate savings products

Product

Current rate

New rate (from 1 December 2017)

Direct ISA

0.75% tax-free/AER

1.00% tax-free/AER

Direct Saver

0.70% gross/AER

0.95% gross/AER

Income Bonds

0.75% gross/AER

1.00% gross/AER

Investment Account

0.45% gross/AER

0.70% gross/AER

Junior ISA

2.00% tax-free/AER

2.25% tax-free/AER

Premium Bonds

Current prize fund rate

Current odds

New prize fund rate (from December  2017)

Odds (from December  2017)

1.15%

30,000 to 1

1.40%

24,500 to 1

 

 

November 2017

 

December 2017  (estimate)

 

Total value of prizes

£68,308, 325

£83,071,775

Total number of prizes

2,375,944

2,906,305

Prize band split:

Higher value

(£5,000 +)

Medium value (£500 +)

Lower value (£25 +)

 

5% of prize fund

 

5% of prize fund

 90% of prize fund

 

5% of prize fund

 

 5% of prize fund

 90% of prize fund

 

Value of prizes

 

Number of prizes in November 2017

Number of prizes in December 2017 (estimate)

£1,000,000

2

2

£100,000

3

4

£50,000

5

9

£25,000

12

18

£10,000

28

42

£5,000

57

87

£1,000

1,366

1,660

£500

4,098

4,980

£100

22,190

22,792

£50

22,190

22,792

£25

2,325,993

2,853,919

Total:

2,375,944

2,906,305

Investments

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