Details on Northern Rock mortgage lender:

Northern Rock is currently the 5th largest UK mortgage lender, the largest financial institution based in the North East of England and one of the most cost efficient UK mortgage lenders based on key performance ratios.

Tuesday 9 October 2007, the Bank of England and HM Treasury, confirmed that the guarantee arrangements previously announced to protect existing deposits with Northern Rock plc will be extended. Northern Rock has agreed an extension that brings enhanced protection for all of our customers - existing and new.

The Bank of England and HM Treasury have guaranteed:

• All accounts existing at midnight on Wednesday 19 September, including new deposits made into those existing accounts.
• All new retail deposits made after Wednesday 19 September, including new deposits made into those accounts.
• All future interest payments and movement of funds between accounts.
• All term deposits for the duration of their term.

These new agreed arrangements protect all savers in all accounts, regardless of the amount deposited and apply to all existing and new accounts. The guarantee arrangements will remain in place during the current instability in the financial markets.

The product Northern Rock plc, Northern Rock House, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 4PL