Director Shareholding

Provident Financial PLC
06 January 2005



Provident Financial plc has today been informed by Graham Fenwick Pimlott, a
non-executive director that, as a result of dividend reinvestment, Capita IRG
Trustees Limited on his behalf acquired 306 ordinary shares of 10 4/11p at a
price of 62688p per share on 16 June 2004 and acquired 237 ordinary shares of 10
4/11p at a price of 586p per share on 15 October 2004.  His total holding of
ordinary shares of 10 4/11p in Provident Financial plc (registered in the name
of Capita IRG Trustees Limited) is now 10,543.



Name of contact and telephone number for queries:

Mrs Rosamond J Marshall Smith

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Tel:  [phone] ext. 2356



Date of notification:

6 January 2005




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