February’s National Savings and Investments (NS&I) Premium Bonds draw has created two new millionaires, one in Kirklees and the other in Sheffield, highlighting the enduring popularity of this unique savings vehicle. Both lucky winners hail from Yorkshire and the Humber region, underscoring a recent trend of significant wins in the area.
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The first winning bond, number 150EN423722, belongs to a resident of Kirklees with a £50,000 bond holding. Purchased in January 2009, this bond marks the third Premium Bonds jackpot winner from Kirklees. The second millionaire, from Sheffield, holds a £10,000 bond portfolio and purchased the winning bond, number 513EP525664, in September 2022. This win represents Sheffield’s fourth Premium Bonds millionaire, occurring precisely two years after the city’s last jackpot win in February 2023.
Andrew Westhead, NS&I retail director, expressed delight at the February results, emphasizing the nationwide distribution of prizes. While Yorkshire and the Humber are experiencing a winning streak, over £430 million in prizes were distributed to bond holders across the UK this month thanks to ERNIE, the random number generator responsible for selecting the winners.
Understanding Premium Bonds: A Different Approach to Saving
Unlike traditional savings accounts or investments that offer fixed interest rates or dividends, Premium Bonds offer the chance to win tax-free prizes ranging from £25 to £1 million in monthly draws. Each £1 bond has an equal chance of winning, regardless of purchase date or location.
Unclaimed Prizes: A Hidden Treasure Trove
While two lucky individuals celebrated their newfound wealth, millions of pounds in unclaimed prizes remain. NS&I encourages bond holders to check for unclaimed prizes, as these winnings do not expire and can be claimed dating back to the inaugural draw in 1957.
In Kirklees, over £348,250 in unclaimed prizes awaits 9,684 bond holders. The largest unclaimed prizes in Kirklees are ten £1,000 prizes, with the oldest dating back to June 1995 and the most recent from May 2023. Similarly, Sheffield has £248,450 in unclaimed prizes for 6,668 bond holders. The oldest unclaimed prize in Sheffield is from August 1963, while the largest is a £5,000 prize from October 2011, accompanied by twenty-two unclaimed £1,000 prizes.
Yorkshire and the Humber have a staggering 123,291 unclaimed prizes totaling £4,426,125. Nationwide, over 2.5 million unclaimed prizes worth £93.8 million are waiting to be discovered.
February’s Draw: Millions Awarded
The February draw distributed over 5.86 million prizes worth a total of £430 million, with over 129 billion bond numbers eligible for the draw. The odds of a single £1 bond winning any prize are 22,000 to 1, and the current prize fund rate is 4%.
Claiming Your Prize: Simple and Convenient
Bond holders can easily check for winning bonds using the prize checker on the NS&I website or via the dedicated mobile app. NS&I also offers online bond management and the option to have prizes paid directly into bank accounts via BACS, with email notifications.
In conclusion, the February Premium Bonds draw underscores the potential for significant wins while highlighting the importance of checking for unclaimed prizes. With millions of pounds awaiting their rightful owners, bond holders are encouraged to utilize the available resources to determine if they hold a winning bond.
