RBS warned not to reject £1.5bn branch bid

clock

The leader of a £1.5bn bid to take over 315 branches up for sale by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has warned the lender it must take the offer seriously.

The Telegraph reports Andy Higginson, the ex-Tesco finance director, said the board of RBS would have to be "very brave" not to accept the bid. The branches are up for sale due to European anti-state aid laws following the bank's multi-billion pound government bailout. It took £45.5bn from the government and is therefore still 81% taxpayer owned. Higginson told the Telegraph: "This is not their [RBS’s] option. They have an obligation to get rid of this business. I think it would be a very brave board that went to the EU having turned down a deal on the table that values the business at bo...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Lowest investment rate in G7

Alex Sebastian
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Calastone Fund Flow index shows

Professional Adviser
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investors have no doubt had their conviction 'severely tested' of late

Scott Spencer
clock 31 March 2026 • 5 min read