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Thursday 16 November, 2006

Bristol & West PLC

Interim Results

Bristol & West PLC
16 November 2006



BRISTOL & WEST GROUP RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

Commentary

The branch network of Bristol & West plc was sold in September 2005, accordingly
the results have been split between 'continuing' and 'discontinued' operations.
The latter element shown in the period ending 30 September 2005 represents the
gain on disposal of the business and its operating result up to the date of
disposal.

The continuing operations of the Bristol and West Group (the 'Group') have seen
very strong growth in profit before taxation of 38% for the six months ended 30
September 2006 compared to the equivalent period last year. Following the sale
described above, continuing operations now primarily represent residential
mortgage lending.

The main driver of the increase in profit before taxation has been the strength
of residential mortgage lending, where the book has grown by 15% from its
September 2005 level. This increase has been associated in particular with
growth in the specialised categories of buy-to-let and self-certified lending,
which has driven net interest income ahead of the levels achieved at September
2005.

The overall result for the period has benefited from a reduced operating cost
base compared with last year, as a consequence of successful cost reduction
programmes. The continuation of low levels of impairment charge on loans and
advances which reflects the high quality of the loan book has also been a
feature of this period's performance.

                                            Unaudited           Unaudited
                                          6 months to         6 months to
                                             30/09/06            30/09/05
                                                   £m                  £m
Continuing operations

Interest and similar income                     645.5               454.9
Interest expense and similar charges           (548.0)             (362.1)
                                             ----------           ---------
Net interest income                              97.5                92.8

Fee and commission income                         5.3                 5.4
Fee and commission expense                       (0.1)               (0.4)
                                             ----------           ---------
Net fee and commission income                     5.2                 5.0

Net trading income                                1.8                (2.9)
Other operating income                            2.7                 5.6
Impairment losses on loans and advances           0.1                (0.1)
Operating expenses                              (53.9)              (61.8)
                                             ----------           ---------
Profit before taxation from continuing
operations                                       53.4                38.6

Taxation                                        (14.8)              (11.3)
                                             ----------           ---------
Profit for the period from continuing
operations                                       38.6                27.3

Discontinued operations

Result for the period from discontinued
operations                                          -               125.3
                                             ----------           ---------
Profit for the period attributable to
equity shareholders                              38.6               152.6
                                             ----------           ---------

Earnings per share expressed in pence per
share
-  Basic                                          6.3p               24.9p
-  Diluted                                        5.5p               21.8p
Earnings per share from continuing
operations
-  Basic                                          6.3p                4.5p
-  Diluted                                        5.5p                3.9p
---------------------------------            ----------           --------- 



BRISTOL & WEST GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

                                           Unaudited            Unaudited
                                            30/09/06             30/09/05
                                                  £m                   £m
Assets

Cash and balances with central banks               -                  8.1
Loans and advances to banks                  2,301.7              2,051.3
Loans and advances to customers             22,677.0             19,655.6
Financial assets at fair value                 332.4                334.5
Derivative financial instruments               112.6                 79.1
Intangible assets                               36.4                 36.7
Property, plant and equipment                   52.5                 70.1
Other assets                                    51.2                 44.0
                                            ----------            ---------
Total assets                                25,563.8             22,279.4
                                            ----------            ---------

LIABILITIES

Deposits from other banks                   20,282.2             17,838.0
Other deposits                                 443.1                414.8
Derivative financial instruments and other
trading liabilities                             68.6                 69.0
Due to customers                             3,316.7              2,551.6
Debt securities in issue                        53.9                 69.2
Other borrowed funds                            78.6                 78.6
Other liabilities                              375.5                296.1
Provisions                                      34.2                 39.7
Current tax liabilities                         21.9                 25.1
Deferred tax liabilities                         8.6                  2.0
Retirement benefit obligations                  53.8                 69.4
                                            ----------            ---------
Total liabilities                           24,737.1             21,453.5
                                            ----------            ---------

EQUITY
Share capital                                  306.6                306.6
Retained earnings                              494.5                494.2
Other reserves                                  25.6                 25.1
                                            ----------            ---------
Total equity                                   826.7                825.9
                                            ----------            ---------
                                            ----------            ---------
Total equity and liabilities                25,563.8             22,279.4
                                            ----------            ---------


BRISTOL & WEST GROUP CASHFLOW FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

                                                     Unaudited      Unaudited
                                                   6 months to    6 months to
                                                      30/09/06       30/09/05
                                                            £m             £m

Net cash flow from operating activities

Profit before tax                                         53.4          168.1

Adjusted for
Depreciation and amortisation                              4.4            2.2
Impairment losses on loans and advances to
customers                                                 (0.1)           0.1
Cash inflow relating to sale of branch network
included in investing activities                             -         (124.2)
Profit on disposal of intangible assets and
property, plant and equipment                             (0.2)             -
Other non-cash movements                                  17.8           14.9
                                                      ----------      ---------
                                                          75.3           61.1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Loans and advances to banks                             (474.2)        (457.7)
Loans and advances to customers                       (1,135.5)      (2,139.5)
Other assets                                             (12.7)          52.8
Deposits from other banks                              1,303.9        7,068.3
Due to customers                                         399.1       (4,159.5)
Debt securities in issue                                  (7.4)         (10.0)
Other liabilities                                         32.6           32.1
Provisions                                                (8.8)          (2.3)
                                                      ----------      ---------
                                                          97.0          384.2
Taxes paid                                                (6.1)          (9.8)
                                                      ----------      ---------
Net cash from operating activities                        90.9          374.4

Cash flows from investing activities

Net investment in intangible assets and property,
plant and equipment                                       (2.1)          (1.7)
Cash inflow from sale of branch network                      -          146.0
Subordinated liabilities                                 (21.8)         (22.1)
                                                      ----------      ---------
Net cash (used in) / from investing activities           (23.9)         122.2

Cash flows from financing activities

Subordinated debt issue                                   30.0              -
Capital repayment of finance lease                        (0.2)          (0.2)
                                                      ----------      ---------
Net cash from / (used in) financing activities            29.8           (0.2)
                                                      ----------      ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                172.1          557.5
                                                      ----------      ---------



BRISTOL & WEST GROUP RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

NOTES

This report is compiled to meet UK Listing Authority requirements for Bristol &
West plc preference shareholders. The most recent dividend was paid to
preference shareholders on 15 November 2006 for the period from 15 May 2006 to
14 November 2006 inclusive. The dividend rate is fixed at 8.125%.

From 1 January 2005 all listed companies in the EU are required to produce
consolidated accounts prepared under IFRS. The Group has fully implemented IFRS
from 1 April 2005 and has produced its first full IFRS accounts for the year
ending 31 March 2006. The accounting policies followed in this interim statement
are the same as the accounting policies followed in the accounts for the year
ended 31 March 2006.

Certain amounts have been restated as at 30 September 2005 as a result of
finalisation of IFRS transitional adjustments and reclassifications.



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