Application for Delisting

REA BROTHERS GROUP PLC
2 September 1999

Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States,
Canada, Australia or Japan 

                Close Brothers Group plc ('Close Brothers')

        Recommended offer for Rea Brothers Group plc ('Rea Brothers')


                        APPLICATION FOR DELISTING


As announced by Close Brothers on 18 August 1999, the offer made for Rea
Brothers by J. Henry Schroder & Co. Limited on behalf of Close Brothers has been
declared unconditional in all respects.  The Offer remains open for acceptance
until further notice.

As foreshadowed in the Offer Document date 27 July 1999, following the Offer
being declared unconditional in all respects the Board of Rea Brothers has now
applied to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the listing of Rea
Brothers' ordinary shares on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange.  It
is expected that the delisting will become effective from 9.00 a.m. on 30
September 1999.


Press enquiries:
Rea Brothers
Roger Parsons, Chief Executive                 0207 623 1155
Close Brothers
Rod Kent, Managing Director                    0171 426 4000
Peter Winkworth, Director

The definitions set out in the offer document date 27 July 1999 apply in this
announcement.