UK - US private equity groups circle Northern Rock

US private equity group Lone Star is thought to be interested in Northern Rock, the beleaguered Newcastle-based bank. Lone Star joins a host of US buyout firms also thought to be sniffing around. JC Flowers is already carrying out due diligence on the bank having secured ТЃ15bn of bank funding for a possible deal. Apollo and Blackstone are also interested but are yet to have access to management.