Overview

• The UK government has reduced its stake in NatWest to 0.9%, down from 1.98%, as part of its ongoing reprivatisation efforts.
• NatWest, formerly RBS, was bailed out with nearly £46 billion in taxpayer funds during the 2008 financial crisis, leaving the Treasury holding an 84.4% stake at its peak.
• Since 2021, a trading plan has steadily sold small parcels of shares, accelerating the government's divestment in recent months.
• NatWest shares have reached decade-high levels of 498.8p, reflecting market confidence as the bank approaches full private ownership.
• The Treasury is on track to fully exit its remaining stake by June, marking the end of one of the UK’s largest financial crisis-era bailouts.