Government seals NatWest sell-off extension to ditch shares by 2026
The UK Government has slapped a two-year extension on its NatWest Group trading plan, pushing its exit from the banking giant’s shareholding back to 2025-26. This move signals firm commitment to offloading taxpayer stakes and returning NatWest to full private ownership.
NatWest sell-off accelerates with £3.7bn raised
- Since launching the trading plan in August 2021, the government has hauled in over £3.7 billion from share sales.
- The government’s share in NatWest Group has been slashed from a whopping 84% at its peak to around 42%.
- Trading plan extends until August 2025, maintaining steady progress towards privatisation.
Government ready to cash in when market suits
The trading plan sees shares sold through an appointed broker on the open market. But the Government stresses it will only sell when it gets “best value for the taxpayer” and market conditions are right.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith said:
“We are determined to return NatWest to full private ownership. Today’s extension marks another significant milestone in delivering this – ensuring we achieve best value for the taxpayer as we sell down the shareholding.”
Other options still on the table
Her Majesty’s Treasury and UK Government Investments are also eyeing alternative routes for selling shares in future, including directed buybacks and accelerated bookbuilds. The extension of the trading plan doesn’t rule out faster or different sale methods to maximise taxpayer returns.
NatWest, formerly Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, edges closer to leaving government hands as ministers push for a tidy finish to its pandemic-era bailout shareholding.
