ASX Announcement - The National Files Its Annual Report on Form 20-F with the US SEC - 24 January 2005

The National has filed its annual report on Form 20-F with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

The National's annual report on Form 20-F contains a number of changes to the disclosure contained in the National's annual financial report 2004 lodged with ASIC. These changes primarily result from events which have occurred during the period between the lodgment of the National's annual financial report 2004 and the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F.

The main changes relate to the Group's agreement to sell Northern Bank Limited and National Irish Bank Limited, which has previously been announced to the Stock Exchanges on which the National is listed. Other changes relate to updated information on auditor independence and new material contracts for some Directors and Executives.  These matters are covered in detail in the annual report on Form 20-F.

The 20-F document is available in (PDF) by  clicking here

For further information:

Brandon Phillips
Group Manager, Group Corporate Relations  
03 8641 3857 work     
0419 369 058 mobile

Callum Davidson     
Head of Group Investor Relations   
03 8641 4964 work     
0411 117 984 mobile     

Samantha Evans 
Group Communications Adviser
03 8641 4982 work
0404 883 509 mobile