Government to sell last of NatWest stake

Shares smashed a decade high'

- By Amber Murray

THE GOVERNMENT is on track to sell its remaining stake in NatWest as soon as next month after it accelerated the sell-down of its holdings.

The Treasury’s share of the FTSE 100 lender is one of British banking’s longest-running sagas, dating back to the 2008 financial crisis.

NatWest, then under the Royal Bank of Scotland umbrella, received a £46billion bailout from the Government as it fought for survival.

The bank’s shares tanked 96% during the fallout as the Government acquired an 80% stake as part of its rescue plan for the business.