Merger Update

28 Sep 2006 12:00

Office of Fair Trading28 September 2006 INVITATION TO COMMENT Proposed merger of Nationwide Building Society with Portman Building Society byway of transfer of engagements under Section 94 of the Building Societies Act1986 The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether arrangements are in progressor in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creationof a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act2002. Should it be found to be a relevant merger situation, the OFT willfurther consider whether the creation of that situation may be expected toresult in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets inthe United Kingdom for goods or services that warrants reference to theCompetition Commission for investigation and report. Affected Sector: banking & finance Please send written representations about any competition or public interestissues to: Mr F PenaFernandez-Garnelo Office of Fair Trading Fleetbank House 2-6 Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX Email: Francisco PenaFernandez-Garnelo@oft.gsi.gov.uk FAX: 020-7211-8916 to arrive by 11 October 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange