decrease if the bonds were issued at a premium. increase if the bonds were issued at a premium. increase the bonds were issued at either a discount or a premium. Stone, Inc. issued bonds with a maturity amount of $200,000 and a maturity ten years from date of issue. the bonds were issued at a premium, this indicates that the effective yield or market rate of interest exceeded the stated (nominal) rate. the nominal rate of interest exceeded the market rate. the market and nominal rates coincided no necessary relationship exists between the two rates.