Premium Bond prize fund rate increased from September - and odds of winning shortened

Premium Bond prize fund rate increased from September - and odds of winning shortened Premium Bonds are a savings product where you are entered into a monthly prize draw, instead of getting a guaranteed rate of interest on your money The Premium Bonds prize fund rate is rising from 3.80% to 4.35% from its September 2026 draw. Premium Bonds are a savings product where you are entered into a monthly prize draw, instead of getting a guaranteed rate of interest on your money. Compared to the August 2026 draw, it is estimated that there will be over 308,000 further prizes, with the prize pot increasing by around £63million to over £497million. In September, there are expected to be 12 additional £100,000 prizes, 27 more £50,000 prizes and an extra 51 £25,000 prizes. There will also be over 2.3 million £100 prizes – more than 6.5 million prizes in total. There will still be two £1million prizes. But the overall odds of winning a prize will be shortened from 22,000 to 1 to 21,000 to 1. The prize fund rate is the closest thing Premium Bonds has to an interest rate. Have you won big on Premium Bonds and want to share your story? Let us know by emailing: [email protected] Premium Bonds are run by National Savings and Investments (NS&I) which is backed by the Treasury. Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, said: "The September Premium Bonds draw is now expected to have more than 6.5 million tax-free prizes worth over £497 million. "Premium Bonds continue to offer over 22 million savers of all ages the monthly excitement of tax-free prizes with 100% security backed by HM Treasury, and the flexibility to withdraw at any time.” The maximum you can have saved in Premium Bonds is £50,000 and get a unique bond number for every £1 invested. You can use the NS&I online prize checker tool, or the Premium Bonds prize checker app, to see if you have won. If you are a winner, you can have the money paid into their bank account, or reinvest it into new Premium Bonds. You should be emailed or sent a text message from NS&I if you win. More than 22 million people in the UK have Premium Bonds. NS&I has also today announced increases to the variable interest rate for its Direct Saver, which will be 3.75% gross/AER. The rate on its Income Bonds is being increased to 3.69% gross/3.75% AER. The rates were last increased in May 2026. Interest rates have also been increased for one, two, three and five-year fixed-term Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Guaranteed Income Bonds. Customers with bonds maturing from 18 August will automatically get the new rate.