October 1, 2001 - Manchester United today unveiled its plans for a new team of financial services which it hopes will help lay the foundations for the next generation of the club's sporting and commercial success.
By taking out personal loans, insurance policies, mortgages, savings accounts and credit cards and seeking financial advice through MU Finance, supporters of the club will be able to take advantage of competitive financial services products - while also helping generate the income which will allow us to build on the achievements of Sir Alex Ferguson and the team.
Uniquely, MU Finance products will also offer fans the opportunity to share in the success of Manchester United through an added bonus based on the performance of the team. For example, when fans invest in an already competitive MU Finance savings account an additional two months' bonus of 1 per cent will be added if Manchester United qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
MU Finance is a new venture which sees the FA Premiership champions sign up with Bank of Scotland and Zurich Financial Services as it doubles its existing squad of personal finance partners. For the past four years fans have been able to invest their savings in a Britannia Building Society account and hold a Manchester United-branded credit card with MBNA Europe Bank.
Launching the new partnership David Gill, Managing Director of Manchester United, said: "We are delighted to have joined forces with such a strong team of partners and to offer our fans a range of high quality financial services products which will help them contribute to the future of the club. The money we earn from MU Finance will go toward the development of Manchester United, both on and off the pitch."
Steven Falk, Manchester United's Director of Financial Services, added: "Extending our range of financial services is an important new step for us. Crucially, we are offering our fans not only products that are competitive in their own right but ones which have a bonus element enabling them to benefit directly from the team's achievements."
Martin Cutbill, Head of Partnerships and Affinities of Bank of Scotland said: "Football fans know that teams must be as competitive as possible, and the same goes for financial services products. As the UK's leading partnership bank, Bank of Scotland is pleased to join forces with Manchester United to offer loans in this new venture."
Sandy Leitch, Chief Executive, Zurich Financial Services said: "As one of world's leading players in our field, we feel a natural affinity with Manchester United. We are convinced that teaming up to give supporters a choice of protection, pension, investment and banking products, as well as face-to-face advice, will bring the club and its fans an equal measure of success."
Gerald Gregory, Sales and Marketing Director of Britannia Building Society, said: "The success of our savings account shows the potential available to both fans and Manchester United in offering competitive financial services products, and we are very pleased to be extending our relationship with the club for a further five years."
Initially, MU Finance will offer a savings account, a credit card and personal loans, with a range of investment, mortgage and general insurance products available from January, 2002 onwards. Part of this development will involve setting up a Financial Services Centre at Old Trafford where Zurich's financial advisers will offer fans face-to-face financial advice.
Customers looking for more information on the new range of MU Finance services can telephone (0161 868 8388) or apply directly for some products via the Manchester United website, Manutd.com.
For further information please contact:
Tina Muggridge or Duncan Hart
Lansons Communications
020 7490 8828
Steven Falk
Director of Financial Services, Manchester United
Tel: 0161 868 8346
Paddy Harverson,
Director of Communications, Manchester United
Tel: 0161 868 8216. Mobile 07780 956 006
Note to editors:
Case studies of existing Manchester United financial services products are available from Britannia.
