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NS&I: Premium Bond reviews

2.91
Based on 142 reviews, last reviewed 5th Feb 2025
100% increase in 5 star reviews
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200% increase in 1 star reviews
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2%
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44%

Latest highest rating:

5

I'm so happy I usually don't write comments, I just read some few reviews and go my way, but it will be a heartless act seeing people talk about their ugly experie... Read more Reviewed on: 25th November 2024
Melissa L's avatar
Melissa L

Latest lowest rating:

1

Can't withdraw my money. Can't withdraw my money. Absolute disgrace. Reviewed on: 5th February 2025
Chris Richards's avatar
Chris Richards

About this product

NS&I bond reviews are honest reviews written by people like you. While many people look at the interest rates on offer, what about the NS&I's customer service? Smart Money People is fast becoming the UK's leading source of independent NS&I bond reviews. We need your help! By writing your honest reviews, you can help increase trust and transparency in the financial world.

NS&I Premium Bond reviews (142)

Review of the NS&I, Premium Bond:

Simple process and good return.

5
Simple process and good return. A safe option for saving your money with a higher than average prize return Reviewed on: 11th October 2024

Only invest if you enjoy paperwork and mental torture

1
This is simply the worst set up investment service you will ever encounter - the call centre advisors readily offer that it's because they're a 'government service' - meaning a lot of money being thrown at process and bureaucracy in the name of your 'security'. So secure that within a month of filling out the same paperwork I'd filled out 2 years before (which takes a week to arrive by snail mail) and having to post a form back to reactivate my account - just to invest - they had de-activated it again because my password had expired. My password expired within a month so I have to do the whole process again. You can't make it up. I only invest/ check on the account every 1-2 years and I am told that I am 'barely using' my account and that's why I'll keep having to go through a 2 week process each time to do anything. It's bonds, not everyday banking. The time you'll invest in admin on your bonds will, in all likeliness, not be worth any money you'll win and should be a serious consideration. Essentially, they cannot cope with the modern world. They are an anacranism that desperately needs someone to come in and overhaul the whole thing to re-work the service to suit the needs of the customers. Currently this is a typical, geriatric, government service where you're not a customer, you're the public and they are doing you a favour. Unless you have time to burn and don't mind excruciating repetition, put your money anywhere else. Reviewed on: 17th September 2016

Left hand doesnt know what the right hand is doing!!

1
The worst customer service. A standing order went out of my account and came back from NS&I as there was a computer glitch. They sent me a letter to apologise and if I wanted to invest the money still I would not lose a month. The past two months I have invested the money to enter the following draw but they cannot do it. Even after speaking to a manager who assured me it would happen, it has not! No one takes ownership of the problem I keep on getting fobbed off. Whenever you ring nobody takes ownership even on the E-mails. They might as well not be in the office. Reviewed on: 15th September 2016

poor service

2
Online access is poor and unreliable and very clunky ....need to catch up with other providers Reviewed on: 14th April 2016

Money is safe

4
I have had £500 in premium bonds for over 10 years and have never had a win. Should really put the money to better use elsewhere, but keep thinking that a win is just round the corner, so leave it there. At least the money is safe Reviewed on: 28th March 2016

Money is safe

5
you know that your money is safe and there is always the chance of a big win. However even though I have £1000 invested I have only had one win of £25. There will always be winners and losers but I know my money is safe Reviewed on: 28th March 2016

DONT BANK ON THE BIG ONE

4
You dont go in the draw immediately - you have to hold for a full calendar month which is disappointing. So far I have has a few small wins of £25 each and I live in hope of something bigger. Have the security though that my money is safe Reviewed on: 28th March 2016

hope to win

4
This is a safe place for your money and you are not losing much when interest rates are so low. I have £10000 invested and have won £50 in the last 6 months. not much really but I live in hope of the big one Reviewed on: 28th March 2016

Beats standard interest rates

5
With interest rates so low I wanted some way of boosting my savings without any risk. I have £3k in bonds and have won once in 6 months netting me £25. This beats the poor interest earned on the same amount in my isa plus there's a chance of winning bigger. Reviewed on: 28th March 2016

no wins

3
money is safe but have got £1000 invested and have never had a win. Still there is always hope and I shall leave it there Reviewed on: 24th December 2015

still hoping

4
easy enough to buy although you have to hold them for a full month before they go in the draw. Its a bit of fun rather than a proper investment but the money is safe and theres always a chance of a big win Reviewed on: 24th December 2015

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