Independent review report to Provident Financial plc

Introduction
We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2006 which comprises the consolidated interim balance sheet as at 30 June 2006 and the related consolidated interim statements of income, recognised income and expense, and cash flows for the six months then ended and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information.

Directors’ responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual financial statements except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the basis set out in note 1.

Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the disclosed accounting policies have been applied. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit and therefore provides a lower level of assurance. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 2006.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
Leeds
13 September 2006