KEY POINTS:
Customers are queuing at one of Britain's biggest mortgage lenders to get their money back, after it revealed it was suffering liquidity problems.
Northern Rock's difficulties reflect those of some New Zealand finance companies and come in the wake of the US subprime mortgage crisis.
The bank has issued a profit warning and has indicated it is having trouble raising cash to cover its liabilities.
It has sought an emergency loan from the Bank of England.
Chief executive Adam Applegarth said it was the best way to restore confidence is to let people take their money out, if that was what they wanted to do.
- NEWSTALK ZB
