Purchase of Own Securities

Secure Trust Banking Group PLC
18 October 2000


                    SECURE TRUST BANKING GROUP PLC
                    PURCHASE OF OWN SECURITIES

Pursuant to the general authority granted by shareholders on 10 May 2000, the
Board of Secure Trust Banking Group PLC (the 'Company') has today (18 October
2000) purchased 140,000 of its ordinary 1p shares, representing 1% of the issued
share capital of the Company at a price of 355p per share.