Northern Rock Launches Penguin Book Share Scheme

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England, October 5, 2010 - Northern Rock has partnered with Penguin books to offer customers free
copies of classic editions available from many of its branches.

Some 25 high street branches across the country will be stocked with
classic titles from the Penguin range including Moby Dick, The Thirty Nine
Steps and Wind in the Willows.

Each paperback cover will feature the iconic Penguin logo, alongside the
distinctive Northern Rock (www.northernrock.co.uk/) pink and black
brand.

Northern Rock hopes that customers visiting participating bank branches
(www.northernrock.co.uk/mortgages/Tools/Branch-Finder/) will select a
book from the specially designed stand, take it home, pass it on to friends
or drop it into a branch for someone else to enjoy.

Anth Mooney, Marketing Director at Northern Rock said: "The Penguin book
share scheme is a great way to get people talking about our brand. It also
helps to make our branches interesting and stimulating places to visit and
conduct business.

"To be associated with such a well-known name in the publishing world is
a great honour and we are looking forward to generating lots of interest and
hopefully introducing children to such classics as the Railway Children and
Treasure Island, featuring Long John Silver - the original Pirate of the
Caribbean."

Nicola Hill, Marketing Director at Penguin, said: "We're delighted with
this collaboration and look forward to hearing from new readers as they
discover Penguin Classics through Northern Rock."

If the pilot proves successful, Northern Rock aims to launch a virtual
book club that allows people to post reviews and ask for Penguin books they
have not read yet.

About Northern Rock:

Northern Rock plc is a new bank, authorised by the FSA as a
deposit taker and mortgage lender from 1 January 2010. It offers savings
accounts (www.northernrock.co.uk/savings/) to customers in the UK and
Ireland and mortgage products (www.northernrock.co.uk/mortgages/) to
UK borrowers.

Northern Rock plc Registered in England and Wales under company number
6952311.

Registered Office: Northern Rock House, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE3 4PL.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

    PR Contact:
    Jule Wilson
    Communications Manager
    Northern Rock House
    Gosforth
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE3 4PL
    +44(0)191-279-4676
    www.northernrock.co.uk

PR Contact: Jule Wilson, Communications Manager, Northern Rock House, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4PL, +44(0)191-279-4676