MSE News: Premium Bonds prize rate to rise to 3.8%

MSE_Haris

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/05/premium-bonds-prize-rate-rise-july/

talexuser

Are they reacting to outflows? A jump of 0.5% seems large?

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998631#Comment_81998631

See this post on the main PB thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998632#Comment_81998632

Swipe

Why not June instead of July?

Enzo_L

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999731#Comment_81999731

Because the increase is designed to improve sales of premium bonds and as you can't currently buy bonds that would be in the June draw NS&I would just be wasting money.

zagfles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999753#Comment_81999753

Also the July draw prize fund is effectively interest for holding the bonds in June, so really the rate is changing from the start of June.

Enzo_L

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82000942#Comment_82000942

Whereas if the new rate were to be paid for the June draw - which is what @Swipe was asking about - then on your logic, the rate would have had to have increased at the beginning of May, before the interest rate rise was even announced.

Perhaps its clearer to just stick with what NS&I say: "Over 22 million Premium Bonds holders will see the prize fund rate increase to 3.80% from the July 2026 draw."

https://nsandi-corporate.com/news-research/news/improved-rates-premium-bonds-and-four-other-nsi-savings-accounts#

masonic

I suppose there is nothing to stop them backdating an increase where it has not already been paid. It would be rather more challenging for a decrease.