Premium Bond in Bangladesh: The Complete 2026 Guide

Heard about premium bonds in Bangladesh and wondering what it actually means? You’re not alone. Here’s the thing: when Bangladeshis search “premium bond,” they’re usually looking for one of two very different products. The first is the Tk. 100 Prize Bond, a government-backed lottery savings scheme run by Bangladesh Bank. The second is the US Dollar Premium Bond, a higher-yield dollar investment designed exclusively for Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs). This guide covers both, simply and honestly, so you know exactly where your money is going.

What Is a Premium Bond in Bangladesh?

The term “premium bond” is used loosely in Bangladesh, and that creates a lot of confusion. So let’s clear it up right now. There are two distinct government-backed products that go by this name.

The Tk. 100 Prize Bond — Most Popular Choice

The Bangladesh Prize Bond (commonly called a premium bond or prize bond ticket) is a savings instrument issued under the authority of Bangladesh Bank. It costs just Tk. 100 per unit. There is no interest. Instead, your bond number enters a quarterly lottery draw, and if your number comes up, you win a cash prize.

Think of it like a government-run savings ticket where you never lose your principal. The worst-case scenario? You hold the bond and nothing happens. You can still sell it back or hold it indefinitely. Many Bangladeshi families buy dozens of these for their kids, parents, or as a low-stakes savings habit.

Anyone can buy them, including children, and there’s no upper limit on how many you can hold.

The US Dollar Premium Bond — For NRBs

The US Dollar Premium Bond is a completely different product. It’s issued by the Bangladesh government for Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who want to invest their foreign earnings back home. It was introduced on November 1, 2002.

Here’s what makes it special: it pays 7.5% annual interest, paid half-yearly in Bangladeshi Taka, and both the principal and interest are 100% tax-exempt. The tenure is 3 years. You can invest in denominations of USD 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, or 50,000.

Since November 2021, all new NRB bonds are issued digitally through the automated National Savings Scheme Management System. Manual paper issuance is permanently closed.

Prize Bond vs. US Dollar Premium Bond: Side-by-Side

Feature	Tk. 100 Prize Bond	US Dollar Premium Bond
Who can buy	Any Bangladeshi	NRBs only
Currency	Bangladeshi Taka	US Dollar
Cost per unit	Tk. 100	USD 500 minimum
Returns	Lottery prizes	7.5% p.a. in Taka
Tax on returns	20% on winnings	Fully tax-exempt
Tenure	No fixed tenure	3 years
Managed by	Bangladesh Bank	NSD / IRD, Ministry of Finance

How to Buy Premium Bonds in Bangladesh

Buying the Tk. 100 Prize Bond

This is genuinely simple. You don’t need a Demat account, a broker, or any special setup.

1. Walk into any bank branch or post office in Bangladesh. All scheduled banks and Bangladesh Post Office branches sell Prize Bonds.
2. Tell the counter staff how many Tk. 100 bonds you want.
3. Pay in cash or by account debit. You’ll receive physical bond certificates with unique numbers and series letters.
4. Keep your bonds safe. There’s no digital registration. If you lose them, you’ll need to apply for a duplicate (allowed by Bangladesh Bank policy).
5. Wait 60 days. Bonds purchased less than 60 days before a draw date are not eligible for that draw.

Before heading to the bank, it’s worth knowing the types of bank accounts in Bangladesh and which ones are best suited for savings-linked investments like this.

Buying the US Dollar Premium Bond (NRBs Only)

This requires more steps because it’s exclusively for Bangladeshi nationals living abroad.

1. Open a Foreign Currency (FC) account with any authorized scheduled bank in Bangladesh that handles NRB bonds.
2. Remit your foreign currency into that FC account through official banking channels.
3. Fill out the application form (Form DIB-I for the Premium Bond) along with: passport copy (attested), work permit/employment certificate, and two passport-size photographs.
4. Submit the application to the bank’s NRB desk. The bond is issued digitally through Bangladesh Bank’s automated system.
5. At maturity, you can reinvest or repatriate the principal.

Not sure which bank to trust with your NRB investment? Our guide to government banks in Bangladesh walks through the key state-owned banks handling these transactions daily.

Prize Draw Schedule and Prize Structure

When Are the Draws Held?

Bangladesh Bank runs four draws per year, on fixed dates: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. The most recent draw, the 123rd Prize Bond Draw, was held on April 30, 2026, at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Conference Room. The 124th draw is scheduled for July 31, 2026.

Bonds must be purchased at least 60 days before the draw date to be eligible.

How Much Can You Win? (Prize Breakdown Per Series)

As of 2026, Bangladesh Bank has 82 active series of Tk. 100 Prize Bonds. Each series runs the same prize draw independently, so the winning numbers apply to every series.

Prize	Amount	Winners Per Series
1st Prize	Tk. 6,00,000	1
2nd Prize	Tk. 3,25,000	1
3rd Prize	Tk. 1,00,000	2
4th Prize	Tk. 50,000	2
5th Prize	Tk. 10,000	40
Total per series	—	46 winners

So in a single draw, across 82 series, there are 3,772 total winners nationally. Every series has 10 lakh (1,000,000) possible bond numbers.

How to Check Prize Bond Results in Bangladesh

The fastest and most reliable way is through Bangladesh Bank’s official website.

1. Go to www.bb.org.bd
2. Navigate to “Investment Facilities” then “Prizebond”
3. Enter your bond number(s) in the search box and click Search.

Checking a range of numbers serially? Type it like this: 0012345~0012349

Checking multiple non-sequential numbers? Separate them with commas: 0030401, 0123901, 1234708

You can also download the draw result PDF directly from the Bangladesh Bank site or from the National Savings Directorate portal at nationalsavings.gov.bd. For older draws, the IRD’s Prize Bond Result Inquiry Software at irdbd.online/prizebond works well.

One important thing: don’t rely on third-party sites to confirm a win. Always cross-check with the official Bangladesh Bank portal before visiting a bank to claim.

How to Claim Your Prize

1. Download or collect a Prize Claim Form from any bank branch, post office, or Bangladesh Bank office.
2. Fill in the form completely and attach: original prize bond certificate, National ID or passport copy, and two passport-size photographs.
3. Submit the form at the bank or Bangladesh Bank office nearest to you.
4. After verification, prize money is credited to your bank account or paid by pay order.

The claim window is exactly 2 years from the draw date. Miss that window and the prize is forfeited. No exceptions.

Don’t pay anyone outside the official process. The claim procedure is completely free. Scammers sometimes target prize bond holders, so if someone asks for a fee to “process your claim,” walk away.

If you don’t yet have a bank account set up, now’s the time. Our guide on how to open a bank account in Bangladesh covers the requirements and steps for both residents and NRBs.

Prize Bond Tax Rules You Need to Know

This part matters. Under Section 118 of the Income Tax Act 2023, a flat 20% tax is deducted at source from all prize bond winnings at the time of payment. The bank handles this automatically, so you receive the net amount.

So if you win the 1st prize of Tk. 6,00,000, your actual payout is Tk. 4,80,000 after tax.

For the US Dollar Premium Bond, both the principal and interest are completely tax-exempt. There is no TDS, no annual income tax filing required on this specific investment return.

If you’re comparing investment vehicles, it helps to know how investment banks in Bangladesh handle securities and whether fixed-income alternatives might suit your goals.

Is It Worth Buying a Premium Bond in Bangladesh?

Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for.

Buy a Tk. 100 Prize Bond if:

• You want zero risk on your capital (fully guaranteed by the government)
• You’re okay with no interest and are happy to take a lottery chance
• You want a savings habit that costs as little as Tk. 100
• You’re buying a small gift for a family member or child
• You hold dozens of bonds to improve your draw odds

Buy the US Dollar Premium Bond if:

• You’re an NRB earning in foreign currency
• You want a guaranteed 7.5% annual return with full tax exemption
• You’re looking to keep savings tied to Bangladesh while living abroad
• You have at least USD 500 to invest for 3 years

The Prize Bond is not a wealth-building vehicle. It’s a zero-risk savings habit with a lottery upside. The NRB Premium Bond, on the other hand, is a real fixed-income investment with competitive returns.

NRBs looking to manage finances across borders should also explore how to start a business in the USA from Bangladesh, which offers entirely different avenues for growing international income.

Also worth understanding: not all banks are equally reliable for bond transactions. Check the red, yellow, and green zone banks in Bangladesh before choosing where to invest.

Key Insights

• Two different products share the name. “Premium bond” in Bangladesh refers to either the Tk. 100 Prize Bond (lottery savings) or the US Dollar Premium Bond for NRBs. They are not the same product.
• Prize Bonds cost Tk. 100 and carry zero capital risk. You can always sell or redeem your bond. The only “cost” is the opportunity cost of not earning interest.
• The top prize per series is Tk. 6 lakh. With 82 active series in 2026, each quarterly draw produces 3,772 national winners.
• Draws happen four times a year. January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. Your bond must be at least 60 days old to qualify.
• Prize money is taxed at 20% at source under Section 118 of the Income Tax Act 2023. The bank deducts this before paying you.
• NRBs earn 7.5% annually, tax-free on the US Dollar Premium Bond. Both principal and interest are exempt.
• Claim your prize within 2 years. Bangladesh Bank’s prize bond portal is at bb.org.bd. After the 2-year window, unclaimed prizes are permanently forfeited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a premium bond in Bangladesh?

In Bangladesh, “premium bond” usually refers to the Tk. 100 Prize Bond (a government lottery savings scheme managed by Bangladesh Bank) or the US Dollar Premium Bond for Non-Resident Bangladeshis, which pays 7.5% annual interest tax-free. Both are fully backed by the government of Bangladesh.

How much does a prize bond cost in Bangladesh?

The Tk. 100 Prize Bond costs exactly Tk. 100 per unit. There is no minimum or maximum purchase limit. Any Bangladeshi national, including children, can buy any number of bonds from any bank branch or post office.

When is the next prize bond draw in 2026?

Bangladesh Bank holds four draws per year. The 123rd draw took place on April 30, 2026. The 124th draw is scheduled for July 31, 2026. After that, the next draws are October 31, 2026, and January 31, 2027.

How do I check my prize bond result online?

Visit www.bb.org.bd, go to “Investment Facilities,” then “Prizebond,” and enter your bond number in the search box. You can check individual numbers or multiple numbers at once. For sequential numbers, use the format: 0012345~0012349.

What is the first prize amount for the Bangladesh prize bond?

The first prize is Tk. 6,00,000 per winning series. Since there are 82 active series in 2026, one bond number wins Tk. 6 lakh in each of those 82 series simultaneously — meaning 82 people win the top prize in every draw.

How long do I have to claim my prize bond prize?

You have exactly 2 years from the draw date to claim your prize. If you miss this window, the prize is permanently forfeited. No extensions are granted. Always check your bond numbers shortly after each draw to avoid missing a win.

Who can buy the US Dollar Premium Bond in Bangladesh?

Only Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) who are living and working abroad and maintain a Foreign Currency account with an authorized bank in Bangladesh can buy this bond. Residents of Bangladesh are not eligible. The minimum investment is USD 500.

Is prize bond income taxable in Bangladesh?

Yes. Under Section 118 of the Income Tax Act 2023, a 20% tax is deducted at source from prize bond winnings at the time of payment. You receive the net amount. For the US Dollar Premium Bond, both principal and interest are fully tax-exempt.

Final Thoughts

Prize bonds in Bangladesh are one of the simplest ways to save without risk. Tk. 100 is the price of a cup of tea at a nice café, and your principal is guaranteed by the government. Sure, the odds of winning the top prize are long, but the downside is literally zero. That’s a rare combination in any investment market.

If you’re an NRB sitting on dollar savings, the US Dollar Premium Bond deserves a serious look. Seven-and-a-half percent annually, fully tax-free, government-backed. Before you decide, verify current interest rates and procedures directly with Bangladesh Bank at bb.org.bd or the National Savings Directorate at nationalsavings.gov.bd. Rules can change, and the primary source always wins.