Blocklisting Interim Review

Provident Financial PLC
09 August 2006

                                   SCHEDULE 5

                        BLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN



To:   Listing Applications
      UK Listing Authority
      Financial Services Authority
      25, The North Colonnade
      Canary Wharf
      London, E14 5HS





               Please ensure the entries on this return are typed



1. Name of company


Provident Financial plc



2. Name of scheme


Share options



3. Period of return:


From      10 February 2006                           To     9 August 2006



4. Number and class of shares(s) (amount of stock / debt security) not issued
under scheme


2,809,709



5. Number of shares issued / allotted under scheme during period:


75,000



6. Balance under scheme not yet issued / allotted at end of period


2,734,709



7. Number and class of share(s) (amount of stock / debt securities) originally
listed and the date of admission;


1,306,509 ordinary shares of 10 4/11p, 27 April 1998

1,000,000 ordinary shares at 10 4/11p, 12 March 1999

3,000,000 ordinary shares of 10 4/11p, 9 March 2004



Please confirm total number of shares in issue at the end of the period in order
for us to update our records


255,568,834



Contact for queries


Name             Emma G Versluys


Address          Provident Financial plc, Colonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford,

                 West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ


Telephone        [phone] extension 2569



Person making the return


Name             Emma G Versluys


Position         Assistant Company Secretary


Signature        Emma G Versluys



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                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange