10 November 2008

MERGER OF YORKSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY WITH BARNSLEY BUILDING SOCIETY

Following the announcement of merger plans on 22 October 2008, the Boards of Yorkshire Building Society and Barnsley Building Society confirm that they have reached agreement to merge and have entered into an Instrument of Transfer. It is anticipated that the merger will become effective on 31 December 2008, subject to statutory confirmation by the FSA.

The merger will provide the Barnsley's members and depositors with the security and stability of the UK's third largest building society.

- Ends -

Media Information - contact:

Tanya Jackson, Corporate Affairs Manager, Yorkshire Building Society - 0845 1200 890

David Holmes - Corporate Affairs Manager, Yorkshire Building Society - 0845 1200 890

Notes to Editors:

• Yorkshire Building Society, which has its head office in Bradford, is the UK's third largest society with more than 1.9 million members, 135 branches, 64 agencies and total assets of over £20bn*. It has a low risk business model with excellent capital strength, high levels of liquidity and a solid retail funding base. 
  

• Barnsley Building Society is the UK's 34th largest society with around 60,000 members, 8 branches and total assets of £376m*. The Barnsley has a very high quality mortgage portfolio and a strong retail funding base. 
  

• The combined Society will continue to operate as a mutual building society, owned by and run for the benefit of its members. The Barnsley's brand and branch network will be retained following the completion of the merger.
  
  

* Figures as at 31 December 2007