Purchase of Own Securities

Secure Trust Banking Group PLC
19 October 2000

                         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 (19 October
2000) purchased 142,500 of its ordinary 1p shares, representing 1% of the issued
share capital of the Company at a price of 350p per share.