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Buying premium bonds for an adult

NS&I have just bounced my application to buy premium bonds for someone as a gift. I thought they might, but it seems odd that I can instantly transfer money to their bank account but can't buy them this savings product. I wanted it to be a surprise gift. Does anyone know why this is?

Comments

  • El_Torro
    El_Torro Posts: 2,095 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I don't know why this is the case but it might be to make it easier to track who has how many Premium Bonds. Since you are only allowed a maximum of £50k Premium Bonds in your own name this might make it easier for NS&I to enforce the rule.
  • lr1277
    lr1277 Posts: 2,205 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 29 November 2024 at 12:50PM
    This is a guess. Could be because of anti-money laundering (AML) rules? I don't know how NS&I implement AML rules but NS&I may want to know that the owner of the bonds obtained the funds to pay for the bonds legitimately?

    Edited to add: when buying premium bonds for a child where you are not the parent or the guardian, NS&I will contact the parent/guardian for identity checks etc.
    So not sure if my reasoning is correct and if my reasoning is correct why it would be different for adults and children.
  • poppystar
    poppystar Posts: 1,728 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    AIUI premium bonds can only be bought as gifts for children not adults. 
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