National Savings and Investments (NS&I) offer a wide range of savings and investment products that are backed by HM Treasury. Some are not always available or are limited offers – keep an eye out for good deals.
What is NS&I?
NS&I is a government bank that offers saving and investment products to the public. It’s the only bank in the country that’s backed by a government department, the HM Treasury.
NS&I changes its products often and at any given time you might find the following investment or savings account options:
- Income Bonds
- Premium Bonds
- Direct ISA (a Cash ISA)
- Direct Saver – a savings account
- Investment account – a savings account you manage by post
- Green Savings Bonds
- Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Guaranteed Income Bonds, including British Savings Bonds
- Junior ISAs.
Find out more about NS&I’s investment of savings account options in our guides:
Premium Bonds
Children’s Bonds
How they work
When saving or investing with NS&I, you’re lending to the government and your money is totally secure.
Different NS&I products might pay interest, stock market or inflation-linked returns (income) or, in the case of Premium Bonds, tax-free prizes.
Some NS&I products might charge penalties if you cash out early for some investment products, meaning you may get less back than your original investment.
Unlike most UK banks, the NS&I is for savings only. This means it doesn’t lend money. For example, you can’t take out a mortgage or a credit card.
Risk and return
With savings accounts you’re guaranteed to get back all your money unless you’re charged a penalty for early access. As with any cash or investment-based product, if inflation is high, your money might not hold its value in real terms - in other words its ‘buying power’ will be eroded by inflation.
Find out more about how inflation can impact your savings in our guide Inflation – what does it mean for your savings
Just because the NS&I is backed by the government, it doesn’t mean you’ll get better interest rates than other banks. If a good deal is important to you make sure you do your research before investing.
Returns vary depending on the product you choose. For more information, check the NS&I website
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Access to your money
Some savings accounts allow instant access while it might be up to several years for bonds and savings certificates.
If you do need to ‘cash in’ a fixed term bond early you’ll usually pay a charge to do so. It’s important to read all the terms and conditions before you open an account.
Safe and secure?
Your savings or investments are secure and backed by HM Treasury however much you save or invest, subject to any early encashment penalties on some investment products.
For other authorised UK banks, building societies and credit unions, your savings are usually protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Find out more in our guide How safe are my savings if my bank or building society goes bust?
Where to get NS&I products
You can open an NS&I account on the NS&I websiteOpens in a new window or over the phone on 08085 007 007 (Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm. Sat-Sun: 8am-6pm)
Tax on NS&I accounts
Some NS&I products pay returns that are free from income and capital gains tax.
These include:
- Cash ISAs
- Premium Bonds
- Fixed Interest and Index-Linked Savings Certificates
- Junior ISAs.
For more information, see our guide Tax on savings and investments – how it works
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