Holding in Company

The Irish Stock Exchange

28 Anglesea Street

Dublin 2

17 February 2012

We have received notification pursuant to section 67 of the Companies Act 1990 of the following interest in the issued share capital of Abbey plc.

Effective Notification Shareholder No. Shares % of Issued

Date Date Share Capital

16.02.2012 17.02.2012 Gallagher 10,166,544 47.08%

Holdings Limited

I would confirm that the shareholder has not acquired any further ordinary shares in Abbey plc over the 10,166,544 previously advised. Their percentage holding has increased following the recent buying of 49,597 ordinary shares by Abbey plc of its own shares on 16 February 2012.

Yours sincerely

For and on behalf of

ABBEY PLC

David J Dawson

Company Secretary

This announcement has been issued through the Companies Announcement Service of

the Irish Stock Exchange.