AGM Statement

Provident Financial PLC
26 April 2001

Mr John van Kuffeler, Chairman of Provident Financial plc, told shareholders
at the Company's AGM in Bradford today:



'The group has performed well in the first quarter of the year and trading has
been in line with expectations.

In the UK home credit division we have continued to focus on the quality of
our lending and, as expected, customer numbers, credit issued and profits are
growing at similar rates to those in 2000.

Our International division continues to develop well. Customer numbers grew by
64,000 (Quarter 1, 2000: 43,000) in the seasonally quiet first quarter,
bringing the total number of international customers to 564,000 at 31 March
2001. We made our first loan in Slovakia in March and plan to commence trading
in Hungary in the near future, thus continuing our international expansion.

The motor insurance division has performed well in good market conditions,
growing policyholder numbers and profits as expected.'



Enquiries: David Stevenson, Communications Manager - 01274 731111