Bureau of the Public Debt Aids NC Bond Owners Affected by Hurricane Fran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 1996

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. 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. Completed forms should be forwarded to Public Debt's Savings Bond Operations Office located at 200 Third St., Parkersburg, West Virginia 26106-1328. Bond owners should write the words "Hurricane Fran" on the front of their envelopes to help expedite the processing of claims.