Northern Rock Launches Improved e-ISA Issue 2

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Rock has launched a new issue of its online variable rate ISA to complement its competitive portfolio of branch, postal and online savings accounts.

e-ISA Issue 2 offers those who prefer to operate their savings accounts (http://www.northernrock.co.uk/savings/) via the internet, an online option for their tax-free* savings. e-ISA is a variable rate Cash ISA (http://www.northernrock.co.uk/savings/Find/Results/ISAs/) set at a competitive rate of interest.

Northern Rock's customer and commercial director Andy Tate said: "Our customers want options. They want to be able to choose the best account to meet their individual needs, whether that be tax-free or not, and variable or fixed rate.

"We are pleased to increase our ISA rates (http://www.northernrock.co.uk/savings/Find/Results/ISAs/), as the previous issue was well received by our customers and the market as a whole."

For customers who prefer to earn a variable rate of interest on their tax-free* savings, variable rate e-ISA Issue 2 can be opened with no initial deposit.

Interest, which can be added to the account or paid into another account, is paid annually on the first business day following the 11 March and available the next business day on minimum balances of GBP1.00 (balances which fall below this amount will earn Northern Rock's prevailing rate of interest, 0.10% tax free*/AER** pa).

e-ISA Issue 2 allow transfers in from other providers and additional deposits can be made to the Cash ISA ( http://www.northernrock.co.uk/savings/Find/Results/ISAs/), within HM Revenue and Customs limits (GBP5,340 pa from 6 April 2011) up to 30 days after the product is withdrawn.

Minimum withdrawals of GBP1 by BACS and GBP250 by CHAPS can be made from the account. There is a GBP35 fee for transfers out via CHAPS.

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 to customers in the UK and Ireland and mortgage products to UK borrowers. New products are offered through both direct channels - including a national branch network - and mortgage intermediaries.

Northern Rock continues to operate within the compensatory measures agreed with the EC as part of the State Aid approval announced in October 2009.

Notes to Editors:

*The tax-free rate is the contractual rate of interest payable where interest is exempt from income tax.

**AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and shows what the interest rate would be when interest is paid and added to the capital balance each year.

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