RBS reports first half-year profits in three years

Royal Bank of Scotland is reporting half-year profits for the first time in three years as chief executive Ross McEwan signalled that the lender is moving on from its troubled past.

The bank, which is 72% owned by the taxpayer, recorded a £939 million profit for the six months to June 30, which compares with a £2 billion loss in the same period last year.

Second-quarter profit came in at £680 million, representing the bank's second consecutive quarter in the black and follows on from a £259 million profit in the first three months of the year.

Mr McEwan said: “We're doing what we said we would at our full-year results in February - growing income, reducing cost and improving returns for shareholders, while also starting to deliver a better service for customers.

“We see the first six months of this year as proof of the investment case for this bank: our path to sustainable profitability is becoming clearer and closer and we have resolved some of the most significant issues this bank faced.”

RBS also said it has begun contingency planning for Brexit by engaging with the Dutch central bank to use its existing banking licence in the Netherlands.

The bank requires an EU passport to continue operating its NatWest Markets business across the bloc and is the latest bank to outline Brexit plans.

First-half operating profit came in at £1.95 billion compared with a £274 million loss last year, while adjusted operating profit rose from £1.15 billion to £3 billion.

However, RBS also detailed £342 million in second-quarter conduct and litigation costs and £213 million in restructuring charges.

When added to costs booked in the first quarter, it takes the total for the first half to more than £1 billion.

The group has racked up several billion in litigation and conduct costs since it was rescued by the Government at the height of the financial crisis.

Last month, RBS agreed a £4.2 billion US settlement over claims that it mis-sold toxic mortgage bonds in the run-up to the crisis, and it took a £151 million charge in its second quarter as a result of the deal