National Savings and Investments
 


Media centre /

Press release

ORDINARY ACCOUNT CLOSED

31 July 2004

No further deposits or withdrawals permitted

The Ordinary Account has now closed and customers will not be able to make further deposits or withdrawals, says National Savings and Investments (NS&I). In December 2003, NS&I began announcing changes to the Ordinary Account and launched the Easy Access Savings Account in its place in January 2004.

Over the last six months, NS&I has written to 2.6 million customers, informing them about the changes. Additionally, public notices have been published and NS&I has undertaken a major media campaign, with interviews on regional radio stations and coverage in local papers. Around one million customers have responded in some way, either by phone, post or by applying directly to transfer to the Easy Access Savings Account.

To date, customers have requested the transfer of 250,000 accounts to the Easy Access Savings Account, a rate of over 2,000 a day. New customers to NS&I account for 10% of investments in the Easy Access Savings Account.

However, NS&I has concerns that 200,000 Ordinary Accounts are still being used regularly, with 10,000 customers continuing to make deposits every week. NS&I urges these customers to transfer their savings as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. Furthermore, there are around half a million customers holding accounts with an average balance of around £850 who have not transferred their savings.

  • There still are 12.8 million Ordinary Accounts worth £452 million, compared to 13 million worth £1.2 billion in January 2004
  • Only 1.4 million Ordinary Account customers used their accounts in 2003
  • 11.9 million Ordinary Accounts worth £214 million have not been used for over two years
  • 11.5 million Ordinary Accounts have a balance of less than £2
  • 1 million Ordinary Accounts have a balance of less than £6

Customers can transfer to the Easy Access Savings Account or the Investment Account by obtaining a transfer form from their local Post Office™ branch or calling NS&I on 0845 366 6667

To close their account customers should request a closure form (NSA5MA) from a Post Office™ branch or telephone 0845 366 6667. The completed form should be sent with their passbook to: National Savings &Investments, Glasgow G58 1SB.

Account balanceEasy Access Savings AccountOrdinary AccountInvestmentAccount
£100 - £4991.75%0.85%3.00%
£500 - £9991.75%0.95%3.05%
£1,000 - £4,9993.25%0.95%3.05%
£5,000 - £9,9993.55%0.95%3.15%
£10,000 - £24,9993.80%n/a3.35%
£25,000 - £49,9994.05%n/a3.55%
£50,000 +4.30%n/a3.90%

Ends

Notes to Editors

To claim lost or forgotten savings, with or without account passbooks, customers should contact NS&I and ask for a Tracing Service form or download a copy from the tracing service on the website at www.nsandi.com . Call 0845 964 5000 for further information.

If, for any reason, customers did not transfer their account before 31st July their money will remain 100% safe and available to transfer at any time in the future. Special arrangements may be made for customers in hardship as a result of not transferring their savings prior to July 31st

National Savings and Investments is an Executive Agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

For further information contact the NS&I media team

Mark Brooks020 7348 9301mark.brooks@nsandi.com
Jonathan Akerman020 7348 9433jonathan.akerman@nsandi.com
Elen Thomas020 7348 9654elen.thomask@nsandi.com
Wendy Franklin020 7348 9449wendy.franklin@nsandi.com
Fax020 7348 9755
Out of hours07778 966387

Media team
NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.

Gareth Headon 020 7348 9494
gareth.headon@nsandi.com
Gill Stephens 020 7348 9449
gill.stephens@nsandi.com
Iman Asante 020 7348 9301
iman.asante@nsandi.com
Monica Del-Villar 020 7348 9654
monica.del-villar@nsandi.com

ISDN for interviews

020 7602 4522

Out of hours

All numbers above diverted to staffed mobile phones
 

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