Blocklisting Interim Review

Provident Financial PLC
16 February 2006

                                   SCHEDULE 5

                        BLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN



To:  Listing Applications
     UK Listing Authority
     Financial Services Authority
     25, The North Colonnade
     Canary Wharf
     London, E14 5HS


               Please ensure the entries on this return are typed



1. Name of company

Provident Financial plc



2. Name of scheme

Share options



3. Period of return:

From      10 August 2005                             To     9 February 2006



4. Number and class of shares(s) (amount of stock / debt security) not issued
under scheme


2,842,465



5. Number of shares issued / allotted under scheme during period:


32,756



6. Balance under scheme not yet issued / allotted at end of period


2,809,709



7. Number and class of share(s) (amount of stock / debt securities) originally
listed and the date of admission;


1,306,509 ordinary shares of 10 4/11p, 27 April 1998
1,000,000 ordinary shares at 10 4/11p, 12 March 1999
3,000,000 ordinary shares of 10 4/11p, 9 March 2004



Please confirm total number of shares in issue at the end of the period in order
for us to update our records


255,490,178



Contact for queries


Name             Emma G Versluys


Address          Provident Financial plc, Colonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford,

                 West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ


Telephone        [phone] extension 2569



Person making the return


Name             Emma G Versluys


Position         Assistant Company Secretary


Signature        Emma G Versluys



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                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange