From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-02 08:05:00

The U.K. government sold its final shares in NatWest, marking the end of over 16 years of state ownership after bailing out the bank during the 2007-08 financial crisis. The government received £35 billion from share sales, dividends, and fees but incurred a £10.5 billion loss.

NatWest, formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland, faced a £49 billion acquisition of Dutch bank ABN Amro that led to financial troubles. The bank became the world’s largest with £2.2 trillion in assets, requiring a £45.5 billion government bailout to avoid collapse.

After years of government ownership, NatWest returned to profitability in 2017, restored dividends, and saw its share price rise by 70% in the past year. The bank shifted from a global to a primarily domestic lender, with nearly all income generated in the U.K. in 2024.

The U.K. government accelerated the sell-down of its stake in NatWest, reducing ownership from 84.4% to 38% by December 2023. Meanwhile, U.S. regulators terminated several Wells Fargo consent orders in 2025, leaving only the Fed’s asset cap in place.

NatWest’s release into private ownership allows strategic flexibility, potentially pursuing opportunities beyond stock buybacks. The bank reportedly bid £11 billion for Santander’s U.K. retail footprint, demonstrating its readiness to expand and invest in the future.

NatWest executives expressed gratitude for the government intervention and support during the financial crisis. CEO Paul Thwaite highlighted the bank’s transformation into a simpler, customer-focused institution, thanking customers, colleagues, and shareholders, including the U.K. taxpayer, for their contribution to the bank’s success.

Read more: For Wells Fargo and NatWest, it’s the summer of looking forward