SIR PAUL McCARTNEY BACKS VEGETARIAN SOCIETY CREDIT CARD

Co-operative Financial Services News Release SIR PAUL McCARTNEY BACKS VEGETARIAN SOCIETY CREDIT CARD The Beatles used to sing All You Need is Love but in 2003 a credit card also helps. Just ask Sir Paul McCartney, who is backing the new Visa card from his favourite charity - the Vegetarian Society. The Vegetarian Society has got together with The Co-operative Bank to offer members a new Standard or Platinum Visa card which helps raise money for the charity. Backing the new card Sir Paul said taking out a Vegetarian Society credit card was "a great way to support my favourite cause." New platinum credit cardholders will be given the choice of two repayment periods and interest rates. They can choose a card with a rate of 9.8 per cent APR, fixed until January 2008 with a up to 46 days interest free credit, or a card which offers zero per cent per annum on balance transfers for six months with 59 days interest free credit. The rate then reverts to 13.9 per cent per annum. Both options offer a minimum credit limit of £5,000 and applicants must be aged 25 or over, and have an income of at least £25,000 a year, and already hold a credit card. The Standard card offers 5.9 per cent on balance transfers for six months with the rate reverting to 17.9 per cent APR after that. All cards have no annual fee. The Co-operative Bank will pay £5 to the Vegetarian Society for every new account opened, and will donate a further £10 if the card is used within six months. The Society will then receive 25p for every £100 on transactions and balance transfers to the card. Tina Fox, Chief Executive of the Vegetarian Society said: "With affinity cards like this everyone's a winner. We earn much needed funds, the Bank gains new customers and the cardholder has the satisfaction of supporting the Vegetarian Society at no cost to themselves." Note to Editors: The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom is the oldest vegetarian organisation in the world. It is an educational charity (Registered Charity No 259358), offering expert advice on nutritional issues and providing free information to individuals, companies and organisations. The Society is entirely independent and does not receive any government funding. Sir Paul McCartney is a patron of the Vegetarian Society, alongside Rose Elliot MBE, Jerome Flynn, and Stella McCartney. The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as a person who eats no meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea. Vegetarians also avoid the by-products of slaughter such as gelatine or animal rennet in cheese. The society only approves products containing eggs when they are free range. For further information contact: 17 February 2003 Dave Smith Liz O'Neill or Kerry Bennett The Co-operative Bank Press The Vegetarian Society Office Tel: 0161 829 5091 Tel 0161 925 2000 Fax: 0161 839 4220 Out of hours 07973 108 167 e-mail: dave.smith@co- or 07973 108 165 operativebank.co.uk Website: www.vegsoc.org. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/17/20030217BIT00880/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/17/20030217BIT00880/wkr0002.pdf