A method of providing a memory cell comprises providing a semiconductor substrate including a body of a first conductivity type, first and second regions of a second conductivity type and a channel between the first and second regions; arranging a first insulator layer adjacent to the substrate; arranging a charge storage region adjacent to the first insulator layer; arranging a second insulator layer adjacent to the charge storage region; arranging a first conductive region adjacent to the second insulator layer; arranging a layer adjacent to the first conductive region; arranging a second conductive region adjacent to the layer; and increasing mechanical stress of at least one of the first and second conductive regions. The second conductive region overlaps the first conductive region at an overlap surface, and wherein a line perpendicular to the overlap surface intersects at least a portion of the charge storage region.