RNS Number:5525S
First Active PLC
26 November 2003

                       FIRST ACTIVE PLC ("First Active")



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR
FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN

First Active notes and welcomes the statement issued today by the Irish
Competition Authority that it does not intend to make a request to The
Competition Directorate General of the European Commission to refer the proposed
acquisition of First Active by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, through its
subsidiary Ulster Bank Limited, to the Competition Authority.


The text of the statement released by the Competition Authority is set out
below.


"Competition Authority will not seek jurisdiction over the proposed Royal Bank
of Scotland acquisition of First Active

Having given due consideration to the matter, The Competition Authority today
(26th November) decided not to seek the referral of the proposed acquisition by
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC of First Active PLC from the Competition Directorate
of the European Commission.


Such a referral would be sought according to the procedure set out in Article 9
of the EU Merger Regulation 4064/89.


The Competition Authority shall make no further comment for the duration that
the Commission is considering this matter. "



Enquiries:


JPMORGAN
Alexander Justham
Telephone: +44 20 7742 4000

DAVY CORPORATE FINANCE
Hugh McCutcheon
Telephone: +353 1 679 6363

GIBNEY COMMUNICATIONS
Ita Gibney
Telephone: +353 1 661 0402


The directors of First Active accept responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement other than the opinions of the Independent
Directors of First Active. The Independent Directors accept responsibility for
the opinions of the Independent Directors contained in this announcement.


To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of First Active and the
Independent Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is
the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they accept
responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely
to affect the import of such information.


26 November, 2003





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