ANNOUNCEMENT RE ARBUTHNOT SECURITIES LIMITED

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE 17 January 2012

 ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC

ANNOUNCEMENT RE ARBUTHNOT SECURITIES LIMITED

Further to the announcement made by Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC ("Arbuthnot") on 18 November 2011 regarding the sale of Arbuthnot Securities Limited to Westhouse Holdings plc, Arbuthnot announces that the FSA has today provided regulatory approval for the transaction.

Completion of the transaction is due to take place on 20 January 2012.

Enquiries:

Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC Tel: 020 7012 2400

Henry Angest, Chairman and Chief Executive

Andrew Salmon, Chief Operating Officer

James Cobb, Group Finance Director

David Marshall, Director of Communications

Hawkpoint Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser) Tel: 020 7665 4500

Lawrence Guthrie

Numis Securities Limited Tel: 020 7260 1000

Christopher Wilkinson

Mark Lander

Pelham Bell Pottinger Tel: 020 7861 3232

Ben Woodford

Dan de Belder