Auditors' Report
Auditors' Report
Statement of the independent auditors' to the members of HBOS plc
(pursuant to section 251 of the Companies Act 1985)
We have examined the Summary Consolidated Income Statement and Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet (together 'the summary financial statement').
This statement is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with section 251 of the Companies Act 1985. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in such a statement and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our work, for this statement, or for the opinions we have formed.
Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Review & Summary Financial Statement in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of the summary financial statement within the Annual Review & Summary Financial Statement with the full annual accounts and the report of the Board in relation to remuneration policy and practice, and its compliance with the relevant requirements of section 251 of the Companies Act 1985 and the regulations made thereunder. We also read the other information contained in the Annual Review & Summary Financial Statement and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the summary financial statement.
Basis of Opinion
We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 1999/6 'The auditor's statement on the summary financial statement' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. Our report on the Group's full annual accounts describes the basis of our audit opinion on those accounts.
Opinion
In our opinion the summary financial statement is consistent with the full annual accounts, the directors' report and the report of the Board in relation to remuneration policy and practice of HBOS plc for the year ended 31 December 2007 and complies with the applicable requirements of section 251 of the Companies Act 1985 and the regulations made thereunder.
KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants, Registered Auditor, Edinburgh, 26 February 2008.