NS&I Urges Premium Bonds Holders to Check Their Contact and Bank Details
• January 5, 2026
Is your NS&I account information up to date? As we enter 2026, NS&I is urging all Premium Bonds holders to review their contact and bank details to ensure they don’t miss out on potential winnings.
With over £110 million in unclaimed prizes and recent changes to the prize fund rate, this update is more important than ever. Here’s what you need to know:
- NS&I advises updating contact and bank details now
- Millions in Premium Bonds prizes remain unclaimed
- The current prize fund rate is 3.6%
- Easy account access via website or app
In this guide, we’ll explain why this update matters, how to check your account, and what could happen if you don’t, so you don’t risk leaving your winnings behind.
Why NS&I Is Urging Premium Bonds Holders Now?
As 2026 begins, NS&I is making a clear appeal to its Premium Bonds customers: update your contact and bank details as a matter of priority. The call-to-action is part of a broader push for financial clarity and responsibility in the new year. Every year, countless bondholders miss out on prizes or face delays in accessing their money due to outdated account information.
The message from NS&I is both proactive and preventative. With major draws happening monthly, keeping your records up to date ensures your prizes are paid directly and without complications. Not only does it protect your financial interests, but it also aligns with wider efforts to streamline services across their digital platforms.
An NS&I spokesperson stated:
“The new year is a great time to do some financial housekeeping, including checking that NS&I has up-to-date contact and bank details for you.”
Given the increased use of digital systems and app-based services, ensuring you have access to your account is more essential than ever. This simple review could unlock missed winnings or avoid costly delays later in the year.
What Happens If Your NS&I Contact or Bank Details Are Outdated?
Failing to maintain your current details with NS&I can lead to more than just minor inconvenience, it could cost you your winnings. When details are outdated, NS&I may be unable to notify you of prize draws or process payments into your account.
In October 2025, it was revealed that more than 2.6 million prizes, totalling nearly £110 million, were left unclaimed. A significant number of these are likely due to holders being unreachable or bank accounts being closed or incorrect.
Even if you’ve won, the system needs a valid destination for the funds. And while the NS&I prize checker can reveal your status, it’s only effective if you have access to your credentials and can act on the information.
There are also security implications. Keeping your account details up to date reduces the risk of someone else gaining access or causing delays in verifying your identity. In short, outdated details can interrupt both your winnings and your peace of mind.
How Can You Update Your Contact and Bank Details with NS&I?
Keeping your information up to date with NS&I is straightforward and secure. There are two primary methods available, via the website or the mobile app.
Online Access
If you’re already registered for NS&I’s online services, you’ll need your NS&I number, password, and personal information to log in. Once inside your account dashboard, you can easily navigate to the sections to update both contact and bank details.
If you haven’t registered yet, NS&I offers a guided registration process. You’ll need:
- Your NS&I number or Premium Bonds number
- Full name and address linked to the account
- Ability to verify your identity via a code or personal questions
Mobile App Access
The NS&I mobile app, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, provides a convenient way to manage your account. For app users, access can be granted through biometrics (such as Face ID or fingerprint) or your password.
Once logged in, you can:
- Update your contact information
- Modify bank account details for prize payments
- View prize results from the last six draws
“Updating details is not just about claiming prizes—it’s about future-proofing your savings.” – NS&I Spokesperson
Ensuring your records are accurate today means fewer hurdles tomorrow.
How Many Unclaimed Premium Bonds Prizes Are Out There?
The numbers are staggering. As of October 2025, NS&I reported over 2.6 million unclaimed prizes, collectively worth nearly £110 million.
This volume of uncollected money reflects a broader trend of account inaccessibility, outdated contact information, and customers who may have forgotten about previous holdings.
These unclaimed prizes often belong to long-term holders who may not have registered for online access or who have changed bank accounts without informing NS&I.
Snapshot of Unclaimed Prizes (as of October 2025):
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total unclaimed prizes | 2.6 million |
| Total value of unclaimed prizes | £110 million |
| Maximum prize (unclaimed) | £100,000+ |
| Average value per unclaimed prize | Approx. £42 |
Fortunately, NS&I provides a variety of tools to help locate these prizes. The prize checker tool is available on their website and app, requiring only your holder’s number to see if you’ve won any prizes from the last six draws, or even years ago.
What’s Changing with Premium Bonds in 2026?
The savings landscape has shifted noticeably in recent years, and Premium Bonds are no exception. NS&I has reduced the prize fund rate multiple times in 2025, impacting the returns for bondholders.
From a high of 4.15% at the start of 2025, the rate dropped to 4.0% in January, 3.8% in April, and further to the current rate of 3.6% in August.
NS&I Premium Bonds Prize Fund Rate Changes (2023–2026):
| Date | Prize Fund Rate |
|---|---|
| Sept 2023 | 4.65% (peak) |
| Jan 2025 | 4.00% |
| Apr 2025 | 3.80% |
| Aug 2025 | 3.60% (current) |
These reductions align with broader interest rate movements from the Bank of England, but for savers, it means fewer prizes distributed overall.
While the odds of winning remain 22,000 to one for each £1 Bond, the value and frequency of prizes depend directly on the fund rate. This makes it even more important to stay engaged and maximise every opportunity, starting with updating your account.
What Actions Should Premium Bonds Holders Take at the Start of the Year?
Beginning the year with a clean financial slate is good practice, and NS&I encourages bondholders to do just that. Beyond simply updating contact details, there are several proactive steps you can take to stay on top of your Premium Bonds account.
Recommended actions:
- Review and confirm your contact and bank details
- Register for online or app-based access if you haven’t already
- Use the prize checker to look for missed winnings
- Opt into automatic reinvestment of prizes to maximise entries
- Stay informed about fund rate changes and savings news
January’s prize draw already saw over £406 million in tax-free prizes awarded, including two £1 million jackpots. If you don’t know your current standing, now is the time to check.
An article discussing the importance of keeping NS&I account details up to date reinforces this message, quoting an NS&I spokesperson who stressed that regular updates are essential to ensure savers don’t miss out on any potential winnings.
Conclusion
The start of 2026 presents an ideal moment for Premium Bonds holders to take stock of their financial details. NS&I’s reminder isn’t just administrative, it’s a critical nudge to ensure savers are in the best possible position to receive their rightful prizes and manage their accounts effectively.
With falling prize fund rates and millions in unclaimed winnings, updating your NS&I account could be the simplest, most impactful financial step you take this year. Take action today and ensure your savings continue to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’ve lost my NS&I login details?
You can reset your details through the NS&I website. You’ll need your NS&I number, and may be asked to confirm identity using personal information or receive a security code by post or email.
Can Premium Bonds prizes expire if I don’t claim them?
No, NS&I Premium Bonds prizes do not expire. However, unclaimed prizes can accumulate, and without updating your details or checking regularly, you might remain unaware of winnings.
Is it possible to receive NS&I winnings by cheque instead of bank transfer?
In most cases, NS&I now pays prizes directly into your nominated bank account. Cheques are only used in rare exceptions or transitional cases.
How secure is the NS&I mobile app for managing my account?
The NS&I app uses high-level encryption, biometric login (Face ID/Fingerprint), and password protection, ensuring secure access to your account.
What happens to prizes if NS&I cannot contact a winner?
If NS&I can’t reach a winner due to outdated contact details, the prize remains unclaimed but can be retrieved later once the account is updated and verified.
How does NS&I verify identity for account access or changes?
Verification may involve confirming your NS&I number, registered personal information, and multi-step security protocols, including SMS or email codes.
Are there any limits on the amount I can hold in Premium Bonds?
Yes. The maximum holding limit for Premium Bonds is £50,000 per individual. Any prizes won that push you over the limit are paid out rather than reinvested.
