Nationalisation of Northern Rock book over 3 years; this would be achieved by Lloyds TSB offering new mortgages to Northern Rock customers who are nearing the end of their fixed-rate deals. It was confirmed on 20 May 2008 that Northern Rock would continue to sponsor both Newcastle United and the Newcastle Falcons, the former due to the long-term agreement between them and the club. Chief Executive Ron Sandler was quoted as saying: "We have already ended a number of sponsorships that I inherited... but we have chosen to continue the sponsorship of Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons, partly because of commitments we have entered
Nationalisation of Northern Rock appeal was rejected. In 2011 Harbinger Capital Partners LLC, an entity which had held an interest in some £277 million preference shares in Northern Rock, and Chris Hulme, chairman of the Northern Rock Shareholders Action Group, lost their legal battle to overturn the valuation of the shares being worthless. In January 2013 Harbinger's appeal is being heard in London. In October 2008 a small number of charities and media outlets accused Northern Rock of having an aggressive repossession policy. These allegations were denied by the bank's spokesman Simon Hall. By October customers appeared to be regaining confidence in the bank,