RBS under pressure for art 'firesale'

The state-owned bank acquired much of its collection - including works by artists LS Lowry, Anne Redpath, Jack Vettriano, Patrick Caulfield and Peter Howson - following its merger with NatWest in 2000. RBS staff enjoyed exclusive access to the many pieces hanging on their office walls, but with the closure next year of around 400 of its existing 2,250 banking and insurance branches in England and Wales, the bank will have less space to display its art. A spokeswoman says: "We will not sell any pieces of art that are of heritage or historical importance. Any decision on sales will be t...