The Drum has learned that MediaVest has been retained by Northern Rock as its media planner and buyer.

The financial brand has retained the agency to its £2 million account following a pitch process which began in May where it approached a number of agencies ahead of plans to promote its new range of savings and mortgages.

MediaVest Manchester has held the account since 1997.

It is thought that Northern Rock is looking to move away from its recent image as a crisis hit financial brand.

The bank is also understood to not yet have reached a decision on its advertising account following a recent three-way-pitch involving incumbent Cravens.