The Bureau of Public Debt took action to assist victims of flooding in North Dakota by expediting the replacement or payment of United States Savings Bonds for owners in the affected areas. The emergency procedures are effective immediately for paying agents and owners in North Dakota and will remain in effect through May 31, 1997. Public Debt's action waives the normal six-month minimum holding period for Series EE savings bonds presented to authorized paying agents for redemption by residents of the a ffected area.
Most financial institutions serve as paying agents for savings bonds.
The replacement of bonds lost or destroyed will also be expedited by Public Debt. Bond owners should complete form PD-1048, available at most financial institutions or the Federal Reserve Bank. Bond owners should include as much information as possible about the lost bonds on the form. This information should include how the bonds were inscribed, social security number, approximate dates of issue, bond denominations, and serial numbers if available. The completed form must be certified by a notary public or an officer of a financial institution.