THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES BANKING PACKAGE

News Release THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES BANKING PACKAGE The Co-operative Bank today (19 March, 2004) launched a groundbreaking business banking package with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), at the FSBs Annual Conference in Blackpool. FSB Business Banking, is the first business bank account from a high street bank to be recommended to its members by the FSB, the UK's largest campaigning pressure group protecting and promoting the interests of 185,000 small businesses. FSB Business Banking offers members exclusive access to a business current account package with 18 months free banking, an annual loyalty bonus of £25, a fee free overdraft, a free for life FSB Business Visa charge card, five unique customer service guarantees and the peace of mind about where their money is invested through The Co-operative Bank's Ethical Policy. Members will also have access to discounted business lending and an FSB personal loan whereby business owners and their employees can borrow between £2,000 and £25,000 at competitive rates. Sheila Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer at The Co-operative Bank, said: "We are delighted that the FSB has endorsed our business banking products in this way. As the largest small business campaigning pressure group in the U.K, the endorsement underlines The Co-operative Bank's growing reputation in the business banking market and I look forward to the relationship blossoming as we go forward." Sandy Harris, Member Services Chairman at The Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We are delighted to have The Co-operative Bank on board. I know our members will be very interested in the range of banking products and services that have been specifically designed for them." Ends For further information contact: 19 March 2004 Paul Lawler Co-operative Financial Services Press Office Tel: 0161 829 5091 Fax: 0161 829 4590 e-mail : paul.lawler@co-operativebank.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/03/19/20040319BIT00230/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/03/19/20040319BIT00230/wkr0002.pdf