LOMBARD NORTH CENTRAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

Notice is hereby given, that on Tuesday 21 October 2003, Lombard North Central Public Limited Company (“LNC”), a Company incorporated under the Companies Acts with Reg No 337004 and having its registered office at 3 Princess Way, Redhill RH1 1NP, presented to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, a Petition seeking inter alia an Order under section 111(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “Act”) sanctioning a banking business transfer scheme (“the Scheme”) for the transfer to The Royal Bank of Scotland public limited company (“RBS”), a Company incorporated under the Companies Acts with Reg No SC90312 and having its registered office at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB, of the banking business carried on by LNC. A document setting out the terms of the Scheme is available, free of charge, by writing to the Solicitors for LNC and RBS named below or by telephoning Colin Hutton on 0131 200 7517. Any person (including an employee of LNC or RBS) who alleges that he or she would be adversely affected by the carrying out of the Scheme may lodge answers, if so advised, at the Office of Court, Court of Session, 2 Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RQ, within 21 days after the date of publication of this notice. Dundas & Wilson, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EN (Ref CJGH).