50 years of Premium Bonds

On 1 November 1956, the very first Premium Bonds went on sale.

Eight months later on on 1 June 1957 ERNIE, the Premium Bonds prize draw machine, made his public debut and the first prize draw took place. NS&I celebrated these two momentous events in November 2006 and June 2007 with a special prize draw, with five £1 million jackpots.

This dedicated media microsite is designed to provide journalists and broadcasters with general information about Premium Bonds and their history.