Bureau of the Public Debt Aids Savings Bonds Owners Battered By Hurricane Wilma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2005

The Bureau of the Public Debt took action to assist victims of the effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida by expediting the replacement or payment of United States Savings Bonds for owners in affected counties in that state. The emergency procedures are effective immediately and will allow authorized agents to redeem Series EE and I savings bonds that are less than one year old which are presented for payment by their owners through the end of November 2005.

Public Debt's action waives the normal one-year holding period for Series EE and I savings bonds presented to authorized paying agents for redemption by residents of the affected areas. Most financial institutions serve as paying agents for savings bonds.

The affected Florida counties are: Collier, Lee and Monroe.

Public Debt will also expedite the replacement of bonds lost or destroyed. Bond owners should complete form PD F-1048, available at most financial institutions or by writing to Customer Service Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Pittsburgh Branch, 717 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, phone (800) 245-2804. This form can also be downloaded from Public Debt's website, www.treasurydirect.gov. 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. A notary public or an officer of a financial institution must certify the completed form. Completed forms should be forwarded to Public Debt's Office of Investor Services, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328. Bond owners should write the word "DISASTER" on the front of their envelopes to help expedite the processing of claims.