Bureau of the Public Debt Aids Savings Bonds Owners Affected By Hurricane Georges in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 1998

The Bureau of Public Debt took action to assist victims of severe weather in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands affected by the hurricane. These procedures will remain in effect through November 30, 1998.

Public Debt's action waives the normal six-month minimum holding period for Series EE and I 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 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 by writing the Buffalo Branch Federal Reserve Bank's Savings Bond Customer Service Department, 160 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202; phone (716) 849-5000. This form can also be downloaded from Public Debt's website at: www.publicdebt.treas.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. 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 word "HURRICANE" on the front of their envelopes, to help expedite the processing of claims.