NatWest Returns to Full Private Ownership After 16-Year UK Bailout

NatWest, formerly known as the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), has undergone a significant transformation since its near-collapse during the 2008 financial crisis triggered by an ill-timed €70 billion takeover of ABN AMRO. The UK government intervened with bailouts totaling £45 billion, acquiring an 82% stake in the bank, which endured leadership upheavals including the replacement of CEO Fred Goodwin with Stephen Hester and later Ross McEwan, alongside reputational damages such as a $612 million fine for Libor manipulation. In 2020, RBS rebranded as NatWest Group to distance itself from its troubled past, though leadership challenges continued, exemplified by the 2023 resignation of CEO Alison Rose amid controversy. Following decades of restructuring, the bank has returned to full private ownership in 2025, with Paul Thwaite appointed as CEO, signaling a move toward stability despite recent pauses in share sales linked to political events. Meanwhile, NatWest is adjusting to current economic conditions by reducing interest rates on various savings accounts and mortgages in response to the Bank of England's base rate cut, impacting millions of customers. This evolution reflects broader shifts in banking governance and regulatory scrutiny aimed at preventing past mistakes and ensuring financial stability.