The Bureau of Public Debt took action to assist victims of Hurricane Fran which struck North Carolina 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 those areas of North Carolina affected by the storm. These procedures will remain in effect through October 31, 1996. 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 affected area.
Most financial institutions serve as paying agents for savings bonds.
The counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Robeson, and Sampson are included in the initial declaration. Should additional counties be declared disaster areas the emergency procedures for savings bonds owners will go into effect for those areas. 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.