UK: Norwich Union and The Co-operative Bank

Norwich Union has been chosen by The Co-operative Bank to be its exclusive provider of payment protection insurance on all loan and credit card products.

The UK’s largest insurer has been providing payment protection insurance on Co-operative Bank loans since the mid 1980s but this renewed four-year deal also includes cover on Co-operative Bank credit cards.

In addition, Norwich Union has been appointed as the exclusive provider of Privilege travel insurance for the Co-operative Bank’s Privilege Current Account customers.

David McMillan, partnerships director at Norwich Union, said: "This is great news for both companies and marks a strengthening of a relationship which began 20 years ago when Norwich Union first provided payment protection insurance on loans for Co-operative Bank customers.

"Norwich Union is the largest provider of general insurance through corporate partnerships in the UK and this latest deal with a highly-respected bank cements this market-leading position."

Peter Sutcliffe, executive director, retail banking business management at The Co-operative Bank, added: "We undertook a very robust tender programme over a nine-month period. Norwich Union were able to meet all our criteria to provide the bank and its customers with first class products and service."

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Media contacts:
Jenny Chapman at Norwich Union on 01603 682264 or 07775 822642, or Carolyn Hicks at the Co-operative Bank on 0161 829 4252.

Notes to editors:

• Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 14 per cent. With a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses, Norwich Union insures:
  • one in five households
  • one in seven motor vehicles
  • more than 800,000 businesses
• Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available on the Aviva internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media
• An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcast - call the press office on 01603 683820