<p>48/04 31 March 2004</p><p>LLOYDS TSB’S TOP TEN QUIRKY LOANS REQUESTS</p><p>With April Fool’s day almost upon us, many people will be watching out for the latest prank. To mark the occasion, Lloyds TSB Personal Loans has published a list of the top 10 quirkiest loan requests, which some might think are a joke, but are in fact genuine requests!</p><p>The 10 most unusual loan requests from the UK’s number one lender1, which launches its lowest ever loans rate of 6.9%2 on 1 April 2004, makes interesting reading:</p><p>1. A loan to buy the ingredients to bake the world’s largest cake 2. A loan for a deposit to be on the waiting list for cryogenic freezing 3. A loan to build a robot for Robot Wars (TV programme) 4. A loan to buy a Spice Girl’s dress in an auction 5. A loan to bid online for a date with a famous footballer 6. A 40 year old man requested a loan to meet Mickey Mouse in America 7. A loan to buy a Bengal tiger 8. A woman asked for a loan to get her teeth sorted in time for her wedding day 9. A loan to remove a rat’s nest from the engine of a motorbike 10. A £3,000 loan to buy a British Bulldog</p><p>Tony Gibbons, director of Lloyds TSB Personal Loans, said: “While the British might be renowned for being reserved, our records prove we still have our fair share of eccentrics. We’re not taking the Mickey, but we do have a customer who went to meet him! </p><p>“These requests demonstrate that people can use loans as a way to help express themselves as individuals. The top three reasons for taking out a loan are still holidays, cars and home improvements but as our records show, sometimes people apply for money for something just that little bit out of the ordinary.” …/more LLOYDS TSB’S TOP TEN QUIRKY LOANS REQUESTS/…2</p><p>At 6.9% Lloyds TSB now offers one of the best interest rates on the market 3. For more information on this loan offer log on to www.lloydstsb.com or call 0800 781 3000.</p><p>-ends-</p><p>Notes to Editors: 1TNS PhoneBus Survey (sample 1000) Feb.2004 2Rate only available on new loans over £7,500 3 Loans from Barclays 9.9 per cent APR, NatWest 10.9 per cent APR, HSBC 11.9 per cent APR </p><p>For further information: Amy Davies Lloyds TSB Press Office Tel: 020 7356 1714 E: [email protected] www.mediacentre.lloydstsb.com</p>