London -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 11/18/98 – Standard&Poor's today affirmed its ratings on Abbey National PLC and related entities (see list below), following today's announcement that Abbey will purchase parts of the consumer finance operations of Lombard North Central, part of the NatWest group. Abbey will make a cash payment of UK347 million for these operations. The purchase is subject to regulatory and other conditions. The acquired businesses provide consumer point-of-sale finance, motor finance, and 'small-ticket' leasing services. Most of the business is sourced through intermediaries. Abbey will acquire a portfolio of approximately UK4 billion, doubling the size of its existing finance house portfolio. While the acquisition will put some immediate pressure on capital, it fits into
