THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LAUNCHES GUARANTEED GLOBAL STOCK MARKET BOND

Co-operative Financial Services News Release THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LAUNCHES GUARANTEED GLOBAL STOCK MARKET BOND Following the success of its previous Guaranteed Stock Market Bonds, The Co-operative Bank today (1 September, 2003) launched a new global Guaranteed Stock Market Bond. Holders of new The Co-operative Bank Guaranteed Stock Market Bond will be able to invest between £3,000 and £1 million for five years, with the prospect of potentially significant growth, safe in the knowledge that they will not lose a penny of their original investment. The new bond is available on the high street at Co-operative Bank branches, over the telephone or through Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) financial advisers. When the Bond matures in October 2008, the return to the investor will be based on 80 per cent of the average rise in the FTSE 100, Nikkei 225, Swiss Market Index (SMI) and S&P 500 indices*, with no upper limit on what could be received. In order to iron out any last minute fluctuations in the stock market around the time of maturity, the final return will be based on the average level of the indices over the last 12 months of the term. Sheila Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer at The Co-operative Bank, said: "The response to the previous Stock Market Bonds launched earlier this year was excellent. Following the volatility over the past few years' investors are looking to benefit from the growth in the markets without taking the risks of directly investing in the stock markets "This new Bond gives customers the opportunity to spread the risk still further because it is based on the growth in four of the worlds major financial markets, without the risk of losing their initial capital." The Bond is limited issue, and is only available until Friday 10 October 2003, or earlier if fully subscribed. Anyone interested in the Guaranteed Stock Market Bond should ring The Co-operative Bank on 0800 0850 950. Ends Notes to Editors: * The four stock market indices are: · FTSE 100 Index - representing the UK's 100 largest companies. · The Nikkei 225 - listing the leading companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. · The Swiss Market Index (SMI) - tracking the performance of the leading companies trading on the Swiss stock exchange. · The S&P 500 Index - one of the most important US stock market indices, featuring 500 of the world's biggest companies. For further information contact: 1 September 2003 Andy Hammerton/Dave Smith Co-operative Financial Services Press Office Tel: 0161 829 5091 Fax: 0161 839 4220 e-mail : andy.hammerton@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/2003/09/01/20030901BIT00760/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/01/20030901BIT00760/wkr0002.pdf