The iconic clock of a branch of a Northern Rock bank is seen in Newcastle, northern England November 17, 2011. Britain has agreed to sell nationalized lender Northern Rock to Virgin Money, the banking arm of Richard Branson's Virgin empire, in a loss-making deal that marks the start of the government's exit from banks it bailed out in the 2008 crisis. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)