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Natwest Group PLC

Annual Report Feb 23, 2012

4644_iss_2012-02-23_466c2674-c398-4fd6-8a11-78e06af6c43c.pdf

Annual Report

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RBS reports a 2011 Group operating profit(1) of £1,892 million, up 11%(2) Core RBS 2011 operating profit £6,095 million, return on tangible equity 10.5% Retail and Commercial (ex Ulster Bank) operating profit up 9%, return on equity of 16.6% Group pre-tax loss of £766 million after charges for PPI and Greece

Significant further strengthening and de-risking of balance sheet

"We have three jobs at RBS - to support our customers, to defuse our legacy risks and to rebuild a successful profitable bank. In 2011 we showed results across all three goals, though with much still to do."

"RBS Core profits - the ongoing bank - were £6 billion, comparing well with others and representing a return on equity of 10.5%. The reduction in our balance sheet since 2008 now exceeds £700 billion with all other 'safety' measures improving strongly. And we provided service to more than 30 million customers worldwide. In UK lending support specifically, we provided £94 billion gross lending to corporates (£41 billion to SMEs) exceeding our targets and far exceeding any competitor bank."

Stephen Hester, Group Chief Executive

Highlights

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) made further progress in rebuilding its financial resilience during 2011. The Group's key priority has been to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce risks in the face of difficult economic and financial market conditions as we work through the restructuring plan embarked on in 2009.

The Group's funded balance sheet decreased by £49 billion to £977 billion while risk-weighted assets pre-APS were reduced by £63 billion, or 11%. In Non-Core we exceeded run-off targets, accelerating the derisking programme and thereby bringing forward losses on some positions. The Core Tier 1 ratio of 10.6% and tangible net asset value per share (TNAV) of 50.1p were broadly stable over the year, in spite of derisking costs and regulatory impacts. Liquidity metrics improved further, as short-term wholesale funding declined by 21% to £102 billion and the loan:deposit ratio improved to 108%.

Despite this risk reduction, support for customers remained a central goal. RBS showed a 22% increase in new loans and facilities to UK corporates, exceeding its Merlin 'stretch' lending targets. RBS new lending accounted for 48% of all SME lending reported by the Merlin banks, substantially above its customer market share.

Over the last three years RBS has sustained its Core customer franchises and rebuilt its financial resilience. Core pre-impairment operating profits have totalled £34 billion, including £11.5 billion from Global Banking & Markets (GBM). This has helped to mitigate the costs of working through legacy issues and derisking the Group's operations.

Highlights (continued)

  • Operating profit 2011 Group operating profit was £1,892 million, up 11% after adjusting for the disposal of Global Merchant Services (GMS) at the end of 2010, driven by a strong Retail & Commercial (R&C) operating performance and the return to profit of RBS Insurance. Ulster Bank and GBM faced more difficult conditions, leaving total Core operating profits at £6,095 million. Non-Core operating losses in 2011 were 24% lower compared with 2010, despite the acceleration of disposals in the second half of the year.
  • Returns R&C return on equity (ROE) improved to 11.3% from 10.2% in 2010, or 16.6% excluding Ulster Bank. GBM ROE fell to 7.7%, a level in line with peers in challenging market conditions, leaving overall Core ROE at 10.5%. TNAV per share at end 2011 was 50.1p.
  • Efficiency Group expenses were 7% lower than in 2010 at £15,478 million, with staff costs down 9%. Cost savings with an underlying run rate of over £3 billion have been achieved to the end of 2011. Core cost:income ratio was 60% in 2011.
  • Risk – Impairment losses totalled £7,439 million, down 20% from 2010 and provision coverage of risk elements in lending increased to 49% from 47%. Market risk was reduced significantly, with average trading value-at-risk down 37% from 2010.
  • Balance sheet The Group funded balance sheet fell by £49 billion to £977 billion. Non-Core again exceeded targets, reducing funded assets by £44 billion during 2011 to £94 billion at the year end. Further reductions will include the sale of RBS Aviation Finance for £4.7 billion, which was signed in January 2012. GBM funded assets fell by £35 billion, with further reductions to circa £300 billion targeted as RBS restructures its wholesale businesses.
  • Liquidity and funding Core R&C deposits(3) rose by £9 billion, taking the Group loan to deposit ratio to 108% compared with 154% shortly before the strategic plan was launched. More than £20 billion of maturing government-guaranteed debt was repaid in 2011. In view of continuing uncertain market conditions the liquidity portfolio was maintained above target levels at £155 billion.
  • Capital – The Core Tier 1 ratio was 10.6%, compared with 10.7% at the end of 2010. Excluding the effect of the APS, risk-weighted assets (RWAs) decreased overall by £63 billion, despite a £21 billion increase in Q4 2011 from the implementation of the Third Capital Requirements Directive (CRD III).

Notes:

  • (1) Operating profit before tax, movements in the fair value of own debt (FVOD), Asset Protection Scheme, Payment Protection Insurance costs, sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets, bonus tax, bank levy and RFS Holdings minority interest ('operating profit'). Statutory operating loss before tax of £766 million for the year ended 31 December 2011.
  • (2) Comparison with prior year after adjusting for disposal of GMS in 2010 (£209 million).
  • (3) Including the RBS England and Wales and NatWest Scotland branch-based businesses, along with certain SME and corporate activities across the UK ('UK branch-based businesses'), transferred to assets and liabilities of disposal groups.

Key financial data

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Core
Total income (1) 26,571 29,698 5,923 6,312 7,138
Operating expenses (2) (14,183) (14,454) (3,330) (3,498) (3,600)
Insurance net claims (2,773) (4,046) (590) (696) (937)
Operating profit before impairment losses (3) 9,615 11,198 2,003 2,118 2,601
Impairment losses (4) (3,520) (3,780) (941) (854) (930)
Core operating profit (3) 6,095 7,418 1,062 1,264 1,671
Non-Core operating loss (3) (4,203) (5,505) (1,308) (997) (1,616)
Group operating profit/(loss) (3) 1,892 1,913 (246) 267 55
Fair value of own debt 1,846 174 (370) 2,357 582
Asset Protection Scheme (906) (1,550) (209) (60) (725)
Payment Protection Insurance costs (850) - - - -
Sovereign debt impairment (1,099) - (224) (142) -
Bank levy (300) - (300) - -
Other items (5) (1,349) (936) (627) (418) 80
(Loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary and
B shareholders (1,997) (1,125) (1,798) 1,226 12
Memo: APS after tax cost (6) (666) (1,116) (154) (44) (522)
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Capital and balance sheet
Funded balance sheet (7) £977bn £1,035bn £1,026bn
Loan:deposit ratio (Group) (8) 108% 112% 118%
Loan:deposit ratio (Core) (8) 94% 95% 96%
Core Tier 1 ratio 10.6% 11.3% 10.7%
Tangible equity per ordinary and B share (9) 50.1p 52.6p 51.1p

Notes:

  • (1) Excluding movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals and RFS Holdings minority interest.
  • (2) Excluding Payment Protection Insurance costs, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets, bonus tax, bank levy and RFS Holdings minority interest.
  • (3) Operating profit/(loss) before tax, movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, Payment Protection Insurance costs, sovereign debt impairment, bank levy and other items (see note 5 below).
  • (4) Excluding sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments.
  • (5) Other items comprise amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets, bonus tax, RFS Holdings minority interest and interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired available-for-sale government bonds. Refer to page 17 of the main announcement for further details.
  • (6) Asset Protection Scheme, net of tax.
  • (7) Funded balance sheet is total assets less derivatives.
  • (8) Net of provisions and including disposal groups.
  • (9) Tangible equity per ordinary and B share is total tangible equity divided by number of ordinary and B shares in issue.

Comment

Philip Hampton, Group Chairman, letter to shareholders:

When I became your Chairman in 2009, our urgent task was to stabilise RBS and then to begin the job of rebuilding the company.

We have made good progress in three years. The balance sheet has been reduced by over £700 billion from its peak. Our reliance on short-term wholesale funding, which stood at £297 billion at the end of 2008 has been cut to £102 billion. We repaid more than £20 billion of government-guaranteed debt in 2011. At 10.6%, our Core Tier 1 ratio is one of the strongest among our peers.

Our actions have made RBS safer and more stable.

Achievements like these require hard work. The Board is committed to restoring RBS to good health. We also made comprehensive changes to the executive management team after 2008. I am confident that they, ably led by Stephen Hester, are the right people to rebuild RBS. All of us understand our duties and responsibilities and are determined to fulfil them diligently.

It is the Board's view that running the business on commercial grounds is the best way to make the bank safer and more valuable for everyone who depends upon it. I do not believe there is a workable alternative if our aim is to provide the opportunity for the UK government to sell its shares in the public markets in a reasonable timescale.

A sign that we have succeeded will be the desire of private investors to acquire the UK government's stake. While these investors hold only 18% of our shares today, their view of our performance, leadership and strategy is crucial. All being well, they will own the majority of the equity capital of the company in future years.

In the meantime, the job of rebuilding the Group is far from complete. The need to address the legacy of losses in a number of businesses means that the Group is not yet profitable, although in 2011 our core businesses earned a profit of £6 billion and a return on tangible equity of 10.5%.

During 2011, we faced weak and deteriorating economic and market conditions. We dealt with those. For example, we accelerated our Non-Core run-down, reduced risk concentrations and strengthened our liquidity and funding position. The Independent Commission on Banking published its findings and the UK government responded with its plans. We have begun to deal with its far-reaching implications. In January 2012, we announced how we will reshape our international wholesale business.

So, we can adapt and we have adapted our plans to changing conditions. That is simply doing business.

Other external forces affect banks in the UK and especially RBS. We know we are different. I have said often that we are grateful to, and are well aware of the interest in the Group by UK taxpayers. We intend to repay them by restoring RBS, allowing the bank to do its vital job of serving our customers and being part of a vibrant and successful economy.

Comment (continued)

At present, we are an unusual company, operating commercially, listed on the stock market but majority-owned by the UK government. It is a challenge for all those involved to manage the complexities and occasional tensions in this structure. The ability to run the company on a commercial basis can be hindered by elements of the periodic debate on how to respond to such tensions, in the media and elsewhere. The Board believes it is important to remain commercially focussed, recognising where we can the political context in which we operate.

I understand people's anger and anxiety about inequalities in pay at a time when the economy is weak and many people are finding things tough. RBS alone cannot fix these wider issues if we are to achieve what is asked of us commercially. But we have led the way in changing how we pay our people. We asked our shareholders how they expect us to set incentives. In response, we have aligned the longer-term rewards our people receive with our shareholders' interests. When we reward good performance, the amount paid in cash is minimal, with most of it paid in shares and bonds. If the subsequent results so warrant, we can claw back awards. I am confident that our practices will stand favourable comparison with others'.

Fulfilling our wider responsibilities

As we rebuild RBS, we are fulfilling our responsibilities to the communities in which our customers and people live and work. Last year, we:

  • provided more than 40p in every £1 lent to UK small and medium-sized businesses;
  • opened nearly 120,000 new start-up accounts across the UK;
  • provided an average of 4,000 business loans each week;
  • helped over 5,000 UK businesses back to health through our Specialised Relationship Management teams; and
  • recruited more than 8,000 16-24 year olds.

These demonstrate the role we can and will play in serving and helping society and the economy. We are building on them. Our Board-level Sustainability Committee is talking to our stakeholders about the elements of our business that matter to them and in 2012 we will publish demanding environmental targets that will drive a reduction in our carbon footprint.

The Board

We were pleased to welcome three new independent non-executive directors to the Board: Alison Davis, Tony Di Iorio and Baroness Noakes. They bring a wealth of experience, along with a strong global perspective. They have already made a significant contribution to the work of the Board since they joined.

Colin Buchan retired as a director in August 2011 and John McFarlane will step down in March 2012. We have greatly appreciated the experience, commitment and knowledge they brought to the Board.

Thanks

Finally, I wish to thank our employees. They are rebuilding RBS each day by serving our customers. They did that very well indeed in 2011, even as many faced major uncertainties. I am grateful to them.

Comment (continued)

Stephen Hester, Group Chief Executive, letter to shareholders:

RBS has completed the first three years of its recovery plan. Over that period the Bank's results across our key goals - Customers, Risk and Value - have exceeded the Plan targets we put together in 2009. This is pleasing and puts the Bank in a vastly better position than before to serve our different constituencies. We are dealing with the new economic and regulatory challenges within the strategic plan and have retained our focus on building an RBS for all to be proud of. Great credit is due to our people for the accomplishments to date and to those who have supported us with their capital or their custom.

Priorities

We are clear on RBS's priorities:

  • to serve customers well;
  • to restore the Bank to a sustainable and conservative risk profile; and
  • to rebuild value for all shareholders.

These priorities are interconnected and mutually supporting.

2009-11 Report Card

During the last three years RBS has:

  • sustained its customer franchises across our Core business in the face of restructuring and reputational pressures. Market shares are stable overall. Service standards are generally up. Lending support across the UK business substantially exceeds our natural customer market share.
  • rebuilt its financial resilience. Core Tier 1 ratio increased to 10.6%, total assets reduced by £712 billion from peak levels, short-term wholesale borrowing reduced by £195 billion, converting a £207 billion deficit versus liquid assets to a £53 billion surplus. Balance sheet leverage reduced from 21.2x to 16.9x and the loan:deposit ratio improved to 108% (94% in Core). In each case the 2011 position is well ahead of that originally forecast.
  • produced £34 billion in pre-impairment profits from Core businesses. These were used to selffund our legacy losses and loan impairments, which to date have totalled £43 billion. Operating costs have been reduced by an average of £1 billion annually. Each of these totals is better than originally forecast despite a tougher economic environment.

2011 Results

2011 saw good progress across all measures of risk reduction and increased financial soundness; important given the much tougher market conditions. Customer service and support was sustained well.

However, RBS has reported a pre-tax loss of £766 million overall and, in common with others, has seen a share price fall, albeit still at levels much higher than the 10p starting point in January 2009. These outcomes reflect the stage of our recovery and the external environment. They mask real and important accomplishments, however.

Comment (continued)

2011 Results (continued)

Core bank operating profits were £6.1 billion. Within this total, operating profits in 2011 across RBS's Retail and Commercial business (excluding Ulster Bank) were up 9% to £4.9 billion. RBS Insurance turned loss into profit, a £749 million improvement on 2010. GBM suffered a 54% fall in profit to £1.6 billion, reflecting tough market conditions, but still a substantial result and one generally in line with other investment banking businesses. Non-Core losses declined 24% to £4.2 billion as the risk run-off continued ahead of schedule. Exceptional charges for past business associated with PPI and Greek write-downs were also taken. £3.8 billion was handed over to HMT/HMRC/Bank of England in fees for APS/Credit Guarantee Scheme, taxes (both on our behalf and on that of our employees) and capital support schemes.

We all understand that a company that is making losses at the bottom line tests the patience of those who depend on it. However, the restructuring task we have undertaken at RBS is unique in its scale and complexity, and needs to be phased in line with our ability to fund and execute it. In dealing with these legacy losses we expect to put the company on a sustainable footing for generations to come. 2011 proved what we already knew: that there are no shortcuts to this endpoint.

Strategy

The new RBS is built upon customer-driven businesses with substantial competitive strengths in their respective markets; together our 'Core' business. Each unit is being reshaped to provide improved and enduring performance and to meet new external challenges. The businesses are managed to add value in their own right but to provide a stronger, more balanced and valuable whole through vital cross-business linkages.

The weaknesses uncovered by the financial crisis - of leverage, risk concentration and business stretch – are being fixed. The primary vehicle for this is the run-off and sale of assets in our Non-Core division though there are many other parallel tasks. RBS's total assets have already been reduced by £712 billion from their peak in 2008 - more than any other entity worldwide has achieved.

Adjustments to Plan

The principles of RBS strategy are working well. The tougher external environment will slow progress and reduce profitability but requires largely tactical change from the original plan for the majority of our business.

However, all banks, and especially in the UK, must adjust to much higher capital and liquidity requirements, and substantially changed wholesale funding markets. There are particular pressures on the funding, profitability and capital intensity of cross-border, wholesale and investment banking business lines.

RBS has therefore adjusted its business plan to target a still more conservative capital and funding structure overall in order to meet current and prospective market and regulatory challenges. This also includes further reduction in balance sheet, capital usage and expense base in the investment banking area, including exit of the cash equities business, reduction of the Group's fixed income markets balance sheet and combination of its international corporate banking businesses. We expect these moves to make the client proposition in our wholesale businesses more focused, and so stronger and more sustainable. It will improve the stability of their funding and their prospects for an improved return on equity.

2011 Results (continued)

These enduring principles - around Customer, Risk and Shareholder - continue to drive our strategy. The actions they give rise to should enable RBS to prosper over the long term as a leading international bank, anchored firmly in the UK and serving customers, shareholders and society well.

People

RBS people are doing a great job in serving customers whilst driving the change we need. Their engagement and efforts are essential to our task. I thank them sincerely. While the climate is tough for people in many walks of life, that does not take away from the exceptional demands we make on our staff and the continuing need we have for their talents, engagement and motivation.

Concluding remarks

In this letter a year ago I re-affirmed the path ahead for RBS and how we planned to travel down it. I am pleased to say we remain on that track.

However, I also warned of the risks from economic and regulatory/policy change. These have indeed impacted strongly and remain uppermost in our minds when looking at 2012. We will continue to prioritise customer service and risk reduction. We will strive to complement this with determined measures to improve business performance to pay for the remaining 'clean-up' and then to produce results for shareholders. We are building the capacity of our business to earn its cost of capital and produce solid returns as external conditions allow.

RBS is an enduring financial institution playing a key part in our markets and communities. We support others. We depend on the support of customers and our communities in turn. We are working our way out of a tough legacy whilst sustaining "business as usual" for the vast majority of what we do.

I thank our staff and all our stakeholders for their continued support.

2011 results summary

RBS made further progress in 2011 on its strategic plan to rebuild financial resilience, cutting its funded balance sheet to less than £1,000 billion for the first time since the restructuring plan's inception in 2009. The Group's priority in 2011 has been to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce risk as it works through the restructuring plan. Key achievements include:

  • decreasing the funded balance sheet by £49 billion to £977 billion.
  • exceeding Non-Core run-off targets, with Non-Core funded assets reduced to £94 billion, less than 10% of Group funded assets.
  • reducing RWAs by £63 billion.
  • growing Retail & Commercial customer deposits by £9 billion.
  • improving the Core loan:deposit ratio to 94% from 96% in 2010 and the Group loan:deposit ratio to 108% (2010 - 118%).
  • maintaining a robust capital base, with a Core Tier 1 ratio of 10.6%.

Customer franchises have been sustained across the Core Group, with resilient market shares and improving service metrics. While operating results in the Group's principal retail and commercial businesses have remained strong, measures to reduce risk in GBM as financial market conditions deteriorated in the second half of the year and to accelerate the disposal of Non-Core exposures held back overall operating profits.

These results mean that over the last three years RBS has lowered short-term wholesale funding by 66% to £102 billion and improved its loan:deposit ratio to 108%. Core pre-impairment operating profits over this period have totalled £34 billion, including £11.5 billion from GBM. This has helped to fund £43 billion of loan losses and the costs of working through other legacy issues and derisking the Group's operations, including sovereign debt impairments, APS charges, disposal costs and restructuring charges.

Operating profit

Group operating profit was £1,892 million in 2011, compared with £1,913 million in 2010. Adjusting for the impact of the disposal of Global Merchant Services (GMS) in Q4 2010, operating profit was up 11%.

Core Group operating profit of £6,095 million, down 15% excluding GMS, reflects a strong performance from R&C, offset by weaker operating results in GBM in the second half, and the difficult credit environment for Ulster Bank.

  • UK Retail operating profit rose 45% to £1,991 million, with income flat but expenses 6% lower, and impairments down 32%.
  • UK Corporate operating profit totalled £1,414 million, down 3%, with income and expenses broadly flat and impairments up £24 million.
  • Wealth operating profit was 6% higher at £321 million, driven by 11% growth in income.
  • Global Transaction Services (GTS) operating profit was £743 million, down 16% after adjusting for GMS, largely reflecting a single corporate loan impairment.

2011 results summary (continued)

Operating profit (continued)

  • Ulster Bank operating losses increased to £1,024 million as Irish credit conditions remained challenging.
  • US R&C recovery continued with operating profit up 57%, as income improved and impairment losses fell substantially.
  • GBM operating profits fell 54% to £1,561 million, with revenue down 25% as the division faced a difficult external environment and managed down its risk exposures.
  • RBS Insurance delivered a strong turnaround with an operating profit of £454 million compared with a loss of £295 million in 2010. We continue to target an IPO of this business in the second half of 2012, subject to market conditions.

Non-Core's operating loss fell to £4,203 million in 2011, an improvement of £1,302 million from 2010, with impairments falling by £1,557 million, despite ongoing challenges in the Ulster Bank and real estate portfolios. Operating expenses were £961 million lower. Non-Core RWAs fell by £60 billion in 2011 to £93 billion. The division focused on reducing capital intensive trading assets, with activity including the restructuring of monoline exposures, which, at a cost of c.£600 million in 2011, achieved a reduction of £32 billion in RWAs.

The process of funding legacy losses through the generation of operating profit continues. In 2011 the Group absorbed further significant legacy costs, including integration and restructuring costs of £1,064 million; PPI costs of £850 million; sovereign debt impairments of £1,099 million; and a charge of £906 million for the Asset Protection Scheme. A total of £2,456 million has now been expensed in relation to the APS. Other significant non-operating items included the bank levy of £300 million and a credit of £1,846 million for movements in the fair value of own debt, resulting in pre-tax losses of £766 million, up from £249 million in 2010. Following a particularly high tax charge of £1,250 million (£634 million in 2010), primarily as a result of continuing Ulster Bank losses, the Group recorded an attributable loss of £1,997 million compared with £1,125 million in 2010.

Returns

R&C ROE improved to 11.3% from 10.2% in 2010, or 16.6% excluding Ulster Bank. GBM ROE was 7.7%, notwithstanding the challenging market conditions, leaving overall Core ROE at 10.5%. TNAV per share at end 2011 was 50.1p.

Efficiency

Core expenses were stable, with reduced costs in UK Retail and GBM offset by investment in the Wealth and GTS franchises. Non-Core expenses fell by 43%, leaving Group 2011 expenses 7% lower than in 2010 at £15,478 million. The Group's cost reduction programme delivered cost savings with an underlying run rate of over £3 billion to the end of 2011, ahead of the original target of £2.5 billion annualised savings by 2013 and with lower programme spend than originally projected. This has enabled the Group to reinvest savings into enhancing its systems infrastructure to support improvements in customer service, enhance product offerings and respond to regulatory changes.

2011 results summary (continued)

Efficiency (continued)

Staff costs declined 9% to £8,163 million. The compensation ratio in GBM, excluding discontinued businesses, was 39%. Variable compensation accrued in the first half of the year were reduced in the second half of the year, leaving the 2011 variable compensation awards 58% lower than 2010, compared with the 54% fall in operating profit.

The cost:income ratio for the Core Group was 60% and for R&C was 55%, compared with 56% in 2010. RBS believes that further efficiency gains will be needed to ensure that its businesses are capable of delivering sustainable returns in excess of the cost of equity to its shareholders.

Risk

Group impairments totalled £7,439 million, down 20% from 2010. Non-Core continued to improve, despite persistent challenges in Ulster Bank and commercial real estate portfolios.

UK Retail and US R&C impairment trends remained favourable, with 2011 impairment losses down 32% and 37% respectively compared with the prior year. UK Corporate impairments were broadly in line with 2010 at 0.7% of loans and advances but Core Ulster Bank's impairment charge rose 19%, reflecting deteriorating bad debt trends and lower asset prices in the mortgage portfolio. Total Ulster Bank impairments in Core and Non-Core were £3,733 million in 2011 compared with £3,895 million in 2010, down 4%.

The 2011 impairment charge represented 1.5% of Group customer loans and advances, with the Core ratio at 0.8%. Provision coverage of risk elements in lending improved to 49% compared with 47% at the end of 2010.

The Group actively managed down its market risk exposures in anticipation of the deterioration in financial market conditions in the second half of 2011. Average trading value at risk (VaR) was £105.5 million, down 37% from 2010. Average credit spread VaR in particular was significantly lower, reflecting continuing progress in managing down Non-Core exposures and reducing concentration risk. Increased volatility arising from the difficulties of eurozone sovereigns resulted in average VaR increasing slightly in Q4 2011.

Balance sheet

The Group funded balance sheet fell by £49 billion during 2011 to £977 billion. Non-Core again exceeded targets, reducing funded assets by £44 billion during 2011 to £94 billion at the year-end. Further reductions will include the disposal of the Group's aviation finance business for £4.7 billion, signed in January 2012. During 2011, Non-Core focused on reducing capital intensive trading assets, reducing RWAs by £60 billion and also mitigated significant future regulatory uplifts.

GBM lowered funded assets by £35 billion, to £362 billion compared with £397 billion at 31 December 2010, making good progress towards the new target of circa £300 billion set as RBS restructures its wholesale businesses. R&C loan growth remained muted.

2011 results summary (continued)

Liquidity and funding

The Group further strengthened its liquidity and funding metrics as financial market conditions became more challenging in the second half of 2011. The Group loan:deposit ratio improved to 108%, 10 percentage points lower than at the end of 2010. Over the last three years Core R&C customer deposits have grown by £49 billion, partially offset by a reduction in more volatile GBM deposits and Non-Core rundown.

Net term issuance in 2011 totalled £21 billion, exceeding the Group's targets for the year. £20 billion of maturing government-guaranteed debt was repaid in 2011. In view of continuing uncertain market conditions the liquidity portfolio was maintained above target levels at £155 billion, well in excess of short-term wholesale funding, which, excluding derivatives collateral, fell to £102 billion at year end compared with £130 billion at 31 December 2010.

Capital

The Core Tier 1 ratio was 10.6%, compared with 10.7% at the end of 2010. Excluding the effect of the APS, RWAs decreased by £63 billion, despite a £21 billion impact in Q4 2011 from the implementation of CRD III. The reduction reflected activity in Non-Core to reduce capital-intensive trading assets, including the restructuring of monoline exposures. As assets covered by the APS have run-off or been disposed of, the Core Tier 1 ratio benefit arising from the APS has diminished to 0.9%, compared with 1.2% at end 2010.

Tangible net asset value per share was 50.1p at 31 December 2011, compared with 51.1p at 31 December 2010.

Strategy

RBS has made good progress over the last three years towards its key objectives of serving customers well, reducing risk and rebuilding value for all shareholders.

In the course of 2011 the Group's priority has been to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce risk as it works through the restructuring plan, and this is reflected in good progress made on the key risk measures set out in 2009. Targets for capital, short-term wholesale funding, liquidity reserves and leverage have all been met ahead of schedule, while the Group loan:deposit ratio improved further in 2011 to stand at 108%, compared with 154% shortly before the strategic plan was launched.

RBS has seen significant improvement in earnings and returns from the worst point reached in 2008. In 2011, however, the deterioration in external economic and financial conditions led the Group to prioritise derisking over driving returns. Core ROE was 10.5%, with R&C return on equity at 11.3%, or 16.6% excluding Ulster Bank. GBM ROE was 7.7%, notwithstanding the challenging market conditions.

The Group's objective remains for each of its banking businesses to be based on enduring customer franchises; to be capable of generating sustainable returns in excess of its cost of equity; to be able to fund itself from its own deposit base; to contribute to the overall Group through its connectivity with other businesses; and to achieve the levels of efficiency necessary to compete effectively in its market. In light of the changed market and regulatory environment, the RBS Group Board has agreed new medium-term strategic targets, which are set out below.

Highlights (continued)

2011 results summary (continued)

Strategy

Worst Original
2013
Revised
medium
Key Measures point 2011 target term target
Value drivers Core Core Core

Return on equity (1)
(31%)(2) 10.5% >15% >12%

Cost:income ratio (3)
97%(4) 60% <50% <55%
Risk measures Group Group

Core Tier 1 ratio
4%(5) 10.6% >8% >10%

Loan:deposit ratio
154%(6) 108% c.100% c.100%

Short-term wholesale funding (7)
£297bn(8) £102bn <£125bn <10% TPAs

Liquidity portfolio (9)
£90bn(8) £155bn c.£150bn <15% TPAs

Leverage ratio (10)
28.7x(11) 16.9x <20x <18x

Notes:

(1) Based on indicative Core attributable profit taxed at standard rates and Core average tangible equity per the average balance sheet (c.75% of Group tangible equity based on RWAs at 31 December 2011); (2) Group return on tangible equity for 2008; (3) Cost:income ratio net of insurance claims; (4) Year ended 31 December 2008; (5) As at 1 January 2008; (6) As at October 2008; (7) Excluding derivatives collateral; (8) As at December 2008; (9) Eligible assets held for contingent liquidity purposes including cash, Government issued securities and other eligible securities with central banks; (10) Funded tangible assets divided by total Tier 1 capital; (11) As at June 2008.

2011 results summary (continued)

Customer franchises

RBS's first priority is to serve its customers well. Since the adoption of our strategic plan in 2009 we have been focused on identifying what our customers value and on targeting our product propositions and service improvements accordingly.

2011 highlights for our businesses included:

  • reporting progress against our Customer Charters and introducing new commitments;
  • using new technologies to make it easier for customers to bank with us;
  • reacting swiftly and decisively to external events affecting our customers; and
  • introducing new training programmes for customer-facing employees.

During 2011, UK Retail and Ulster Bank both achieved encouraging progress against their Customer Charter commitments. UK Retail, for example, achieved the goal of serving 80% of its customers in less than 5 minutes in its busiest branches and answering 90% of all incoming calls in less than a minute. 89% of Ulster Bank's customer queries were answered in a single call in the period July - September 2011, compared with 81% in the period January - June 2011. In both divisions, however, there is clearly more to do, with handling of customer complaints a particular focus.

US Retail & Commercial began a phased roll-out of its Customer Commitments in Q4 2011: focusing on getting to know each customer as an individual, earning customer trust, putting customers in control of their own finances and valuing their time and business.

Technological innovation has an important role to play in improving customer service, and 2011 saw further improvements to RBS's leading mobile banking services. UK Retail, Ulster Bank and US Retail & Commercial customers can access their accounts and manage their money via their mobiles and GBM customers can access trading analysis and expert commentary through their iPad. The iPhone app for RBS and NatWest customers was updated and has now been downloaded by one million customers.

In August, RBS Insurance responded quickly and decisively to the UK riots, helping customers and other small business owners cope with the aftermath of the rioting, providing general insurance advice and information on the claims process. UK Corporate also reacted swiftly, providing £10 million of interest-free, fee-free loans to business customers affected by the rioting.

In June, UK Corporate launched a relationship manager accreditation programme to improve the knowledge and professionalism of front-line staff, while US Retail & Commercial invested in an enhanced sales training programme for managers and sales colleagues. By the end of 2011, the majority of UK Corporate's relationship managers had gained full accreditation under the initial phase of the programme and in the US the training has begun to deliver externally recognised increases in customer satisfaction.

2011 results summary (continued)

Customer franchises (continued)

2011 demonstrated clear examples of our commitment to serving our customers well but we recognise there is much we still need to achieve, and providing our customers consistently high quality service remains a key priority in our strategic plan.

UK lending

RBS extended £93.5 billion of new lending to UK businesses in 2011: £36.3 billion of new loans and facilities to mid and large corporates, £16.3 billion of mid corporate overdraft renewals, £31.5 billion of new loans and facilities to SMEs and £9.4 billion of SME overdraft renewals.

New loans and facilities to businesses increased by 22% in 2011 compared with 2010, with new loans and facilities to SME customers up by 4%, exceeding its Merlin "stretch" lending targets. RBS new lending accounted for 48% of all SME lending reported by the Merlin banks, well above its customer market share.

This strong lending performance represented a significant success for RBS's efforts to foster loan demand from creditworthy companies, in the face of weakening confidence and subdued appetite for investment in 2011. If creditworthy demand grows, the Group would aim to lend even more in 2012. Economic uncertainty caused companies - particularly smaller businesses - to delay or scale back investments and to focus on deleveraging and cash flow preservation. Total SME credit applications in 2011 were 17% lower than for 2010, and 31% lower than 2007. RBS remains committed to doing everything it can to stimulate demand.

Many of RBS's SME customers have been paying down debt and building up their cash balances, with SME customers increasingly opting to build up longer term savings in light of perceived decreased investment opportunities. Term deposits of over 12 months rose 53% in 2011 from the Group's smallest business customers, those with turnover of up to £2 million, and 33% for SME customers overall. SME overdraft utilisation also continued to fall, from 47% for December 2010 to 45% for December 2011.

Lending to mid and large corporates was driven by re-financing activity, as economic newsflows remained weak and uncertainty surrounding the eurozone drove confidence in economic recovery and market stability lower. Drawn lending balances in the mid and large corporate sector decreased by 5% compared with 2010.

Gross new mortgage lending in 2011 was £16.2 billion, with balances outstanding up 5% compared with 2010. A fifth of new mortgages provided by the Group were to first time buyers, and gross new lending to this market segment increased quarter on quarter throughout 2011.

Highlights (continued)

2011 results summary (continued)

Outlook

Economic and regulatory challenges have continued into 2012. Growth prospects in the UK, the Group's most important market, remain modest, while the eurozone sovereign crisis remains a risk.

Against this backdrop, Retail and Commercial performance is expected to remain broadly stable, benefitting modestly from improvement in impairments.

GBM Markets will transition to its revised, more targeted strategy. The year is off to a good start, but revenue performance will remain market-dependent.

The continuing run-off of Non-Core is expected to crystallise further disposal losses, though overall Non-Core losses are expected to fall again.

The Group NIM outlook is stable with the second half of 2011. However, accounting swings relating to fair value of own debt will continue to feature.

The Group expects to continue to prioritise the strengthening of its balance sheet and the further removal of risk.

Contacts

For analyst enquiries:
Richard O'Connor Head of Investor Relations +44 (0) 20 7672 1758
For media enquiries:
Group Media Centre +44 (0) 131 523 4205

Analysts' presentation

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group will be hosting an analyst presentation following the release of the results for the year ended 31 December 2011. The presentation will also be available via a live webcast and audio call. The details are as follows:

Date: Thursday 23 February 2012
Time: 9.30 am UK time
Webcast: www.rbs.com/ir
Dial in details: International – +44 (0) 1452 568 172
UK Free Call – 0800 694 8082
US Toll Free – 1 866 966 8024

Slides

Slides accompanying this document will be available on www.rbs.com/ir

Financial supplement

A financial supplement will be available on www.rbs.com/ir. This supplement shows published income and balance sheet financial information by quarter for the last eight quarters to assist analysts for modelling purposes.

Annual Results 2011

RBS Group – Annual Results 2011

Contents

Page
Forward-looking statements 3
Presentation of information 4
Results summary 5
Results summary - statutory 8
Summary consolidated income statement 9
Summary consolidated balance sheet 11
Analysis of results 12
Divisional performance
UK Retail
UK Corporate
Wealth
Global Transaction Services
Ulster Bank
US Retail & Commercial
Global Banking & Markets
RBS Insurance
Central items
Non-Core
22
25
29
33
36
39
43
49
53
59
60
Condensed consolidated income statement 68
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income 69
Condensed consolidated balance sheet 70
Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet 71
Average balance sheet 73
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity 76
Condensed consolidated cash flow statement 79
Notes 80

Contents (continued)

Page
Risk and balance sheet management 128
Capital 130
Liquidity and funding risk 136
Credit risk 148
Market risk 205
Risk factors 210
Statement of directors' responsibilities 212
Additional information 213
Appendix 1 Income statement reconciliations
Appendix 2 Businesses outlined for disposal
Appendix 3 Additional risk management disclosures
Appendix 4 Asset Protection Scheme
Appendix 5 Divisional reorganisation

Forward-looking statements

Certain sections in this document contain 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include the words 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'believes', 'should', 'intend', 'plan', 'could', 'probability', 'risk', 'Value-at-Risk (VaR)', 'target', 'goal', 'objective', 'will', 'endeavour', 'outlook', 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on such expressions.

In particular, this document includes forward-looking statements relating, but not limited to: the Group's restructuring plans, divestments, capitalisation, portfolios, net interest margin, capital ratios, liquidity, risk weighted assets (RWAs), return on equity (ROE), profitability, cost:income ratios, leverage and loan:deposit ratios, funding and risk profile; certain ring-fencing proposals; sustainability targets; the Group's future financial performance; the level and extent of future impairments and write-downs, including sovereign debt impairments; the protection provided by the Asset Protection Scheme (APS); and the Group's potential exposures to various types of market risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and commodity and equity price risk. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, certain market risk disclosures are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations. By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and, as a result, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that have been estimated.

Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to: the global economic and financial market conditions and other geopolitical risks, and their impact on the financial industry in general and on the Group in particular; the ability to access sufficient sources of liquidity and funding; the recommendations made by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) and their potential implications; the ability to implement strategic plans on a timely basis, or at all, including the disposal of certain Non-Core assets and assets and businesses required as part of the State Aid restructuring plan; organisational restructuring, including any adverse consequences of a failure to transfer, or delay in transferring, certain business assets and liabilities from RBS N.V. to RBS; the full nationalisation of the Group or other resolution procedures under the Banking Act 2009; deteriorations in borrower and counterparty credit quality; costs or exposures borne by the Group arising out of the origination or sale of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities in the United States; the extent of future writedowns and impairment charges caused by depressed asset valuations; the value and effectiveness of any credit protection purchased by the Group; unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads, bond prices, commodity prices, equity prices and basis, volatility and correlation risks; changes in the credit ratings of the Group; ineffective management of capital or changes to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements; litigation and regulatory investigations; changes to the valuation of financial instruments recorded at fair value; competition and consolidation in the banking sector; the ability of the Group to attract or retain senior management or other key employees; regulatory or legal changes (including those requiring any restructuring of the Group's operations) in the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries in which the Group operates or a change in United Kingdom Government policy; changes to regulatory requirements relating to capital and liquidity; changes to the monetary and interest rate policies of central banks and other governmental and regulatory bodies; changes in UK and foreign laws, regulations, accounting standards and taxes, including changes in regulatory capital regulations and liquidity requirements; impairments of goodwill; pension fund shortfalls; general operational risks; HM Treasury exercising influence over the operations of the Group; insurance claims; reputational risk; the ability to access the contingent capital arrangements with HM Treasury; the participation of the Group in the APS and the effect of the APS on the Group's financial and capital position; the conversion of the B Shares in accordance with their terms; limitations on, or additional requirements imposed on, the Group's activities as a result of HM Treasury's investment in the Group; and the success of the Group in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this announcement, and the Group does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

The information, statements and opinions contained in this document do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments.

Presentation of information

The financial information on pages 5 to 67, prepared using the Group's accounting policies, shows the underlying performance of the Group on a managed basis which excludes certain one-off and other items. This information is provided to give a better understanding of the results of the Group's operations. Group operating profit on this basis excludes:

  • movements in the fair value of own debt;
  • Asset Protection Scheme;
  • Payment Protection Insurance costs;
  • sovereign debt impairment;
  • amortisation of purchased intangible assets;
  • integration and restructuring costs;
  • gain on redemption of own debt;
  • strategic disposals;
  • bonus tax;
  • bank levy;
  • interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired available-for-sale Greek government bonds;
  • write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets; and
  • RFS Holdings minority interest (RFS MI).

Statutory results

The condensed consolidated income statement, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated balance sheet, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, condensed consolidated cash flow statement and related notes presented on pages 68 to 127 inclusive are on a statutory basis. Reconciliations between the managed basis and statutory basis are included in Appendix 1.

Net interest margin

The basis of calculating the net interest margin (NIM) was refined in Q1 2011 and reflects the actual number of days in each quarter. Group and divisional NIMs for 2010 have been re-computed on the new basis.

Disposal groups

In accordance with IFRS 5 'Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations', the Group has transferred the assets and liabilities relating to the planned disposal of its RBS England and Wales, and NatWest Scotland branch-based business, along with certain SME and corporate activities across the UK ('UK branch-based businesses'), to assets and liabilities of disposal groups.

Results summary

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Core
Total income (1) 26,571 29,698 5,923 6,312 7,138
Operating expenses (2) (14,183) (14,454) (3,330) (3,498) (3,600)
Insurance net claims (2,773) (4,046) (590) (696) (937)
Operating profit before impairment
losses (3) 9,615 11,198 2,003 2,118 2,601
Impairment losses (4) (3,520) (3,780) (941) (854) (930)
Operating profit (3) 6,095 7,418 1,062 1,264 1,671
Non-Core
Total income/(loss) (1) 1,206 2,964 (304) 46 321
Operating expenses (2) (1,295) (2,256) (314) (323) (481)
Insurance net claims (195) (737) 61 (38) (245)
Operating loss before impairment
losses (3) (284) (29) (557) (315) (405)
Impairment losses (4) (3,919) (5,476) (751) (682) (1,211)
Operating loss (3) (4,203) (5,505) (1,308) (997) (1,616)
Total
Total income (1) 27,777 32,662 5,619 6,358 7,459
Operating expenses (2) (15,478) (16,710) (3,644) (3,821) (4,081)
Insurance net claims (2,968) (4,783) (529) (734) (1,182)
Operating profit before impairment
losses (3) 9,331 11,169 1,446 1,803 2,196
Impairment losses (4) (7,439) (9,256) (1,692) (1,536) (2,141)
Operating profit/(loss) (3) 1,892 1,913 (246) 267 55
Fair value of own debt 1,846 174 (370) 2,357 582
Asset Protection Scheme (906) (1,550) (209) (60) (725)
Payment Protection Insurance costs (850) - - - -
Sovereign debt impairment (1,099) - (224) (142) -
Bank levy (300) - (300) - -
Other items (1,349) (936) (627) (418) 80
(Loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
Memo: Operating profit/(loss) after
adjusting for GMS disposal 1,892 1,704 (246) 267 25

For definitions of the notes refer to page 7.

Results summary (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
Key metrics 31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Core
- Net interest margin 2.16% 2.23% 2.09% 2.10% 2.25%
- Cost:income ratio (5) 60% 56% 62% 62% 58%
- Return on equity 10.5% 13.3% 7.1% 8.5% 12.1%
- Adjusted earnings/(loss) per ordinary and
B share from continuing operations 0.7p 2.4p (0.6p) - 0.4p
- Adjusted earnings per ordinary and
B share from continuing operations
assuming a normalised tax rate of 26.5%
(2010 - 28.0%) 4.1p 4.8p 0.7p 0.9p 1.1p
Non-Core
- Net interest margin 0.64% 1.16% 0.31% 0.43% 1.09%
- Cost:income ratio (5) 128% 101% nm nm nm
Group
- Net interest margin 1.92% 2.01% 1.84% 1.84% 2.02%
- Cost:income ratio (5) 62% 60% 72% 68% 65%
Continuing operations
- Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary and
B share (6) (1.8p) (0.5p) (1.7p) 1.1p -

nm = not meaningful

For definitions of the notes refer to page 7.

Results summary (continued)

31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2011 Change 2010 Change
Capital and balance sheet
Funded balance sheet (7) £977bn £1,035bn (6%) £1,026bn (5%)
Total assets £1,507bn £1,608bn (6%) £1,454bn 4%
Loan:deposit ratio - Core (8) 94% 95% (100bp) 96% (200bp)
Loan:deposit ratio - Group (8) 108% 112% (400bp) 118% (1,000bp)
Risk-weighted assets - gross £508bn £512bn (1%) £571bn (11%)
Benefit of Asset Protection Scheme (APS) (£69bn) (£89bn) (22%) (£106bn) (35%)
Risk-weighted assets - net of APS £439bn £423bn 4% £465bn (6%)
Total equity £76bn £79bn (4%) £77bn (1%)
Core Tier 1 ratio* 10.6% 11.3% (70bp) 10.7% (10bp)
Tier 1 ratio 13.0% 13.8% (80bp) 12.9% 10bp
Risk elements in lending (REIL) £41bn £43bn (5%) £39bn 5%
REIL as a % of gross loans and advances (9) 8.6% 8.4% 20bp 7.3% 130bp
Tier 1 leverage ratio (10) 16.9x 17.5x (3%) 16.8x 1%
Tangible equity leverage ratio (11) 5.7% 5.7% - 5.5% 20bp
Tangible equity per ordinary and B share (12) 50.1p 52.6p (5%) 51.1p (2%)

* Benefit of APS in Core Tier 1 ratio is 0.9% at 31 December 2011 (30 September 2011 - 1.3%; 31 December 2010 - 1.2%).

Notes:

  • (1) Excluding movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals and RFS Holdings minority interest.
  • (2) Excluding Payment Protection Insurance costs, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, bonus tax, bank levy, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets and RFS Holdings minority interest.
  • (3) Operating profit/(loss) before tax, movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, Payment Protection Insurance costs, sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, bonus tax, bank levy, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets and RFS Holdings minority interest.
  • (4) Excluding sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired available-for-sale Greek government bonds.
  • (5) Cost:income ratio is based on total income and operating expenses as defined in (1) and (2) above and after netting insurance claims against income.
  • (6) (Loss)/profit from continuing operations attributable to ordinary and B shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary and B shares in issue. Refer to page 89.
  • (7) Funded balance sheet represents total assets less derivatives.
  • (8) Net of provisions and including disposal groups.
  • (9) Gross loans and advances to customers include in disposal groups and exclude reverse repurchase agreements.
  • (10) Tier 1 leverage ratio is total tangible assets (after netting derivatives) divided by Tier 1 capital.
  • (11) Tangible equity leverage ratio is total tangible equity divided by total tangible assets (after netting derivatives).
  • (12) Tangible equity per ordinary and B share is total tangible equity divided by the number of ordinary and B shares in issue.

Results summary - statutory

Highlights

  • Income of £28,937 million for the year ended 31 December 2011 and £5,038 million for Q4 2011.
  • Operating loss before tax of £766 million for the year ended 31 December 2011 and £1,976 million for Q4 2011.
Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Continuing operations
Total income 28,937 31,868 5,038 8,603 7,822
Operating expenses (18,026) (18,228) (4,567) (4,127) (4,507)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment
losses 7,943 8,857 (58) 3,742 2,133
Impairment losses (8,709) (9,256) (1,918) (1,738) (2,141)
Operating (loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary and B
shareholders (1,997) (1,125) (1,798) 1,226 12

A reconciliation between statutory and managed view income statements is shown in Appendix 1 to this announcement.

Summary consolidated income statement for the year and quarter ended 31 December 2011

In the income statement set out below, movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, Payment Protection Insurance costs, sovereign debt impairment, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, bonus tax, bank levy, interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired available-for-sale Greek government bonds, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets and RFS Holdings minority interest are shown separately. In the statutory condensed consolidated income statement on page 68, these items are included in income and operating expenses as appropriate.

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Core £m £m £m £m £m
Net interest income 12,023 12,517 3,003 2,968 3,220
Non-interest income (excluding insurance
net premium income) 10,578 12,755 1,948 2,352 2,827
Insurance net premium income 3,970 4,426 972 992 1,091
Non-interest income 14,548 17,181 2,920 3,344 3,918
Total income (1) 26,571 29,698 5,923 6,312 7,138
Operating expenses (2) (14,183) (14,454) (3,330) (3,498) (3,600)
Profit before insurance net claims and
impairment losses 12,388 15,244 2,593 2,814 3,538
Insurance net claims (2,773) (4,046) (590) (696) (937)
Operating profit before impairment
losses (3) 9,615 11,198 2,003 2,118 2,601
Impairment losses (4) (3,520) (3,780) (941) (854) (930)
Operating profit (3) 6,095 7,418 1,062 1,264 1,671
Non-Core
Net interest income 666 1,683 73 110 358
Non-interest income (excluding insurance
net premium income) 254 579 (386) (108) (218)
Insurance net premium income 286 702 9 44 181
Non-interest income 540 1,281 (377) (64) (37)
Total income/(loss) (1) 1,206 2,964 (304) 46 321
Operating expenses (2) (1,295) (2,256) (314) (323) (481)
(Loss)/profit before insurance net claims
and impairment losses (89) 708 (618) (277) (160)
Insurance net claims (195) (737) 61 (38) (245)
Operating loss before impairment
losses (3) (284) (29) (557) (315) (405)
Impairment losses (4) (3,919) (5,476) (751) (682) (1,211)
Operating loss (3) (4,203) (5,505) (1,308) (997) (1,616)

For definitions of the notes refer to page 7.

Summary consolidated income statement for the year and quarter ended 31 December 2011 (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Total £m £m £m £m £m
Net interest income 12,689 14,200 3,076 3,078 3,578
Non-interest income (excluding insurance
net premium income) 10,832 13,334 1,562 2,244 2,609
Insurance net premium income 4,256 5,128 981 1,036 1,272
Non-interest income 15,088 18,462 2,543 3,280 3,881
Total income (1) 27,777 32,662 5,619 6,358 7,459
Operating expenses (2) (15,478) (16,710) (3,644) (3,821) (4,081)
Profit before insurance net claims and
impairment losses 12,299 15,952 1,975 2,537 3,378
Insurance net claims (2,968) (4,783) (529) (734) (1,182)
Operating profit before impairment
losses (3) 9,331 11,169 1,446 1,803 2,196
Impairment losses (4) (7,439) (9,256) (1,692) (1,536) (2,141)
Operating profit/(loss) (3) 1,892 1,913 (246) 267 55
Fair value of own debt 1,846 174 (370) 2,357 582
Asset Protection Scheme (906) (1,550) (209) (60) (725)
Payment Protection Insurance costs (850) - - - -
Sovereign debt impairment (1,099) - (224) (142) -
Amortisation of purchased intangible
assets (222) (369) (53) (69) (96)
Integration and restructuring costs (1,064) (1,032) (478) (233) (299)
Gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt 255 553 (1) 1 -
Strategic disposals (104) 171 (82) (49) 502
Bank levy (300) - (300) - -
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets (11) (10) (11) - (10)
Other items (203) (249) (2) (68) (17)
(Loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
Tax (charge)/credit (1,250) (634) 186 (791) 3
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations (2,016) (1,033) (1,790) 1,213 (5)
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax 47 (633) 10 6 55
(Loss)/profit for the period (1,969) (1,666) (1,780) 1,219 50
Non-controlling interests (28) 665 (18) 7 (38)
Preference share and other dividends - (124) - - -
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary
and B shareholders (1,997) (1,125) (1,798) 1,226 12

For definitions of the notes refer to page 7.

Summary consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2011

31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Loans and advances to banks (1) 43,870 52,602 57,911
Loans and advances to customers (1) 454,112 485,573 502,748
Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing 100,934 102,259 95,119
Debt securities and equity shares 224,263 244,545 239,678
Other assets 154,070 150,405 131,043
Funded assets 977,249 1,035,384 1,026,499
Derivatives 529,618 572,344 427,077
Total assets 1,506,867 1,607,728 1,453,576
Bank deposits (2) 69,113 78,370 66,051
Customer deposits (2) 414,143 433,660 428,599
Repurchase agreements and stock lending 128,503 131,918 114,833
Settlement balances and short positions 48,516 66,478 54,109
Subordinated liabilities 26,319 26,275 27,053
Other liabilities 220,237 230,361 262,113
Funded liabilities 906,831 967,062 952,758
Derivatives 523,983 561,790 423,967
Total liabilities 1,430,814 1,528,852 1,376,725
Owners' equity 74,819 77,443 75,132
Non-controlling interests 1,234 1,433 1,719
Total liabilities and equity 1,506,867 1,607,728 1,453,576
Memo: Tangible equity (3) 55,217 57,955 55,940

Notes:

(1) Excluding reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing.

(2) Excluding repurchase agreements and stock lending.

(3) Tangible equity is equity attributable to ordinary and B shareholders less intangible assets.

Analysis of results

Year ended
Quarter ended
Net interest income 31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Net interest income (1) 12,690 13,838 3,082 3,074 3,365
Average interest-earning assets 662,222 689,958 664,613 663,956 661,380
Net interest margin
- Group
- Core
1.92% 2.01% 1.84% 1.84% 2.02%
- Retail & Commercial (2)
- Global Banking & Markets
3.21%
0.73%
3.14%
1.05%
3.17%
0.76%
3.19%
0.71%
3.21%
0.93%
- Non-Core 0.64% 1.16% 0.31% 0.43% 1.09%

Notes:

(1) For further analysis and details of adjustments refer to pages 74 and 75.

(2) Retail & Commercial (R&C) comprises the UK Retail, UK Corporate, Wealth, Global Transaction Services, Ulster Bank and US Retail & Commercial divisions.

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • Group net interest income was 8% lower largely driven by the run-off of balances and exit of higher margin, higher risk segments in Non-Core.
  • Group NIM was 9 basis points lower, reflecting the cost of carrying a higher liquidity portfolio and by the impact of non-performing assets in the Non-Core division.
  • R&C NIM was up 7 basis points, with strengthening asset margins in the first half of the year offsetting the impact of a competitive deposit market.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Group net interest income remained stable in Q4 2011, as reduced interest expense from repayment of high cost government-guaranteed debt offset modest margin pressure in R&C.
  • R&C NIM was 2 basis points lower, largely driven by competitive pricing on UK deposits and a continued decline in long-term swap rate returns on current accounts.
  • Overall Group interest-earning assets were broadly stable. R&C interest-earning assets were flat, while elsewhere in the Group higher central bank cash balances offset asset run-off in GBM and Non-Core.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • R&C NIM was down 4 basis points, with continued tightening of liability margins and a decline in long-term swap rate returns on current accounts more than offsetting asset repricing actions.
  • Average interest-earning assets were up slightly at £665 billion, with growth in UK mortgage balances and in liquidity holdings offsetting Non-Core run-off.
Year ended Quarter ended
Non-interest income 31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Net fees and commissions
Income from trading activities
Other operating income
4,924
3,381
2,527
5,983
6,138
1,213
1,017
140
405
1,148
547
549
1,604
979
26
Non-interest income (excluding
insurance net premium income)
Insurance net premium income
10,832
4,256
13,334
5,128
1,562
981
2,244
1,036
2,609
1,272
Total non-interest income 15,088 18,462 2,543 3,280 3,881

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • Non-interest income decreased by £3,374 million in 2011 principally driven by lower trading income in GBM and Non-Core and a fall in insurance net premium income.
  • Volatile market conditions led to a reduction in GBM trading income, driven by the deterioration in global credit markets as sovereign difficulties in the eurozone grew.
  • Non-Core trading losses increased by £690 million, reflecting costs incurred as part of the division's focus on reducing capital trading assets, with activity including the restructuring of monoline exposures, which mitigated both significant immediate and future regulatory uplifts in risk-weighted assets.
  • Insurance net premium income fell by 17% largely driven by RBS Insurance's exit from certain business segments, along with reduced volumes reflecting the de-risking of the motor book. Insurance net premium income in Non-Core also decreased as legacy policies ran-off.
  • 2010 results included £482 million of income recorded for GMS prior to its disposal in November 2010.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • GBM trading income included a £368 million change in own credit on derivative liabilities, partially offset by an improved credit hedging (CEM) position of £235 million. Excluding these items, GBM trading income was £542 million versus £551 million in Q3 2011.
  • Insurance premium income fell, largely reflecting the continued de-risking of the motor portfolio.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

• More challenging market conditions reduced trading and fee income in GBM.

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Operating expenses £m £m £m £m £m
Staff expenses 8,163 8,956 1,781 1,963 2,059
Premises and equipment 2,278 2,276 575 584 636
Other 3,395 3,716 838 858 938
Administrative expenses 13,836 14,948 3,194 3,405 3,633
Depreciation and amortisation 1,642 1,762 450 416 448
Operating expenses 15,478 16,710 3,644 3,821 4,081
General insurance 2,968 4,698 529 734 1,151
Bancassurance - 85 - - 31
Insurance net claims 2,968 4,783 529 734 1,182
Staff costs as a % of total income 29% 27% 32% 31% 28%

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • Group expenses were 7% lower in 2011, driven by cost savings achieved as a result of the cost reduction programme and Non-Core run-off, largely reflecting the disposal of RBS Sempra and specific country exits.
  • Staff expenses fell 9%, driven by lower GBM variable compensation as a result of its decrease in revenues, and in Non-Core, given the impact of a 32% reduction in headcount and continued business disposals and country exits.
  • General insurance claims were £1,730 million lower, mainly due to the non-repeat of bodily injury reserve strengthening in 2010, de-risking of the motor book, more benign weather in 2011 and claims in Non-Core decreasing as legacy policies ran-off.
  • The Group's cost reduction programme delivered cost savings with an underlying run rate of over £3 billion by the end of 2011.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Group expenses fell by 5%, significantly driven by a reduction in GBM variable compensation accrued in the first half of 2011. Core R&C expenses declined by 3% in part reflecting lower deposit insurance levies in Wealth and US R&C and continued benefits from the cost reduction programme.
  • Non-Core expenses fell 3% largely driven by ongoing rundown of the division.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Group expenses were £437 million, or 11% lower than in the prior year, with Non-Core expenses down 35% reflecting the impact of business disposals and country exits and significantly lower current year variable compensation in GBM.
  • General insurance claims fell by 54% as net claims in RBS Insurance fell by £309 million, reflecting an improved risk mix, more benign weather in Q4 2011 and the exit of certain business segments. Legacy business run-off in Non-Core also reduced claims.
Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Impairment losses £m £m £m £m £m
Loan impairment losses 7,241 9,144 1,654 1,452 2,155
Securities impairment losses 198 112 38 84 (14)
Group impairment losses 7,439 9,256 1,692 1,536 2,141
Loan impairment losses
- latent (545) (121) (190) (60) (116)
- collectively assessed 2,591 3,070 591 689 729
- individually assessed 5,195 6,208 1,253 823 1,555
Customer loans 7,241 9,157 1,654 1,452 2,168
Bank loans - (13) - - (13)
Loan impairment losses 7,241 9,144 1,654 1,452 2,155
Core 3,403 3,737 924 817 912
Non-Core 3,838 5,407 730 635 1,243
Group 7,241 9,144 1,654 1,452 2,155
Customer loan impairment charge as
a % of gross loans and advances (1)
Group 1.5% 1.7% 1.3% 1.1% 1.6%
Core 0.8% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 0.9%
Non-Core 4.8% 4.9% 3.7% 2.8% 4.4%

Note:

(1) Customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of gross customer loans and advances excluding reverse repurchase agreements and including disposal groups.

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • Group loan impairment losses decreased by 21% compared with 2010, driven largely by a £1,569 million reduction in Non-Core loan impairments, despite continuing challenges in Ulster Bank and corporate real estate portfolios.
  • R&C loan impairment losses fell by £199 million, driven by improving credit metrics in UK Retail and US Retail & Commercial partially offset by increases in Ulster Bank, largely reflecting a deterioration in credit metrics on the mortgage portfolio, and a single name provision in GTS.
  • Total Core and Non-Core Ulster Bank loan impairment losses decreased by 3%, as the £223 million increase in Core Ulster Bank losses was more than offset by a decrease in losses recognised in Non-Core.
  • The Group customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of loans and advances fell to 1.5% compared with 1.7% for 2010. For Core, the comparable percentages are 0.8% and 0.9%.

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Group loan impairment losses increased by 14% in Q4 2011, largely reflecting a small number of corporate provisions in GBM and a small increase in Non-Core impairments related to the UK Corporate portfolio.
  • Total Core and Non-Core Ulster Bank loan impairments fell by £38 million compared with Q3 2011, £570 million versus £608 million, driven by a 14% decrease in Non-Core Ulster Bank impairments. Core Ulster Bank impairments were broadly flat as lower losses on the corporate portfolio were offset by an increase in mortgage losses.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Group loan impairment losses fell 23% largely driven by a reduction in Non-Core impairment losses reflecting a reduction in Ulster Bank provisions in the quarter.
  • Total Ulster Bank loan impairment losses (Core and Non-Core) were £570 million in Q4 2011, compared with £1,159 million in Q4 2010, driven by the decrease in Non-Core impairments.
  • Loan impairment losses in R&C fell by £51 million, driven by improvements in UK Retail, US Retail & Commercial and Ulster Bank, partially offset by a single name provision in GTS and higher specific provisions in UK Corporate.
  • Provision coverage of risk elements in lending was 49% at the end of Q4 2011, compared with 47% a year earlier.
Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
One-off and other items £m £m £m £m £m
Fair value of own debt* 1,846 174 (370) 2,357 582
Asset Protection Scheme (906) (1,550) (209) (60) (725)
Payment Protection Insurance costs (850) - - - -
Sovereign debt impairment (1) (1,099) - (224) (142) -
Amortisation of purchased intangible assets (222) (369) (53) (69) (96)
Integration and restructuring costs (1,064) (1,032) (478) (233) (299)
Gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt 255 553 (1) 1 -
Strategic disposals** (104) 171 (82) (49) 502
Bank levy (300) - (300) - -
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets (11) (10) (11) - (10)
Other
- Bonus tax (27) (99) - (5) (15)
- Interest rate hedge adjustments on
impaired available-for-sale Greek
government bonds (169) - - (60) -
- RFS Holdings minority interest (7) (150) (2) (3) (2)
(2,658) (2,312) (1,730) 1,737 (63)
* Fair value of own debt impact:
Income from trading activities 225 (75) (170) 470 110
Other operating income 1,621 249 (200) 1,887 472
Fair value of own debt (FVOD) 1,846 174 (370) 2,357 582
**Strategic disposals
(Loss)/gain on sale and provision for loss
on disposal of investments in:
- RBS Asset Management's investment
strategies business - 80 - - -
- Global Merchant Services 47 837 - - 837
- Life assurance business - (231) - - -
- Non-Core project finance assets - (221) - - (221)
- Goodwill relating to UK branch-based
businesses (80) - (80) - -
- Other (71) (294) (2) (49) (114)
(104) 171 (82) (49) 502

Note:

(1) The Group holds Greek government bonds with a notional amount of £1.45 billion. In the second quarter of 2011, the Group recorded an impairment loss of £733 million in respect of these bonds as a result of Greece's continuing fiscal difficulties. This charge (c.50% of notional) wrote the bonds down to their market price as at 30 June 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, an additional impairment loss of £142 million was recorded to write the bonds down to their market price as at 30 September 2011 (c.37% of notional). In the fourth quarter of 2011, an additional impairment loss of £224 million was recorded to write the bonds down to their market price as at 31 December 2011 (c.21% of notional).

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • One-off and other items amounted to a net charge of £2,658 million, including significant legacy costs for the Group: £850 million relating to PPI costs, £1,099 million in sovereign debt impairments, integration and restructuring costs of £1,064 million and a charge of £906 million for the APS. There was also a significant charge of £300 million for the bank levy.
  • A full year gain on FVOD of £1,846 million as a result of Group credit spreads widening partially offset the 2011 charges. This compares with a smaller gain of £174 million in 2010.
  • An impairment of £1,099 million was taken on the Group's AFS bond portfolio in 2011 as a result of the decline in the value of Greek sovereign bonds. As of 31 December 2011, the bonds were marked at 21% of par value.
  • The APS fair value charge was £906 million in 2011. The cumulative charge for the APS was £2,456 million as at 31 December 2011.
  • Integration and restructuring costs remained broadly flat at £1,064 million, reflecting significant GBM restructuring in 2011.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Q4 2011 integration and restructuring costs increased to £478 million, largely reflecting the GBM headcount reduction announced in 2011, as well as property exit costs.
  • An additional impairment of £224 million was taken in Q4 2011 as a result of the continuing decline in the value of Greek sovereign bonds.
  • The Group's credit spreads narrowed in the fourth quarter resulting in a FVOD charge of £370 million. This compares with a widening of spreads in Q3 2011 and a significant gain of £2,357 million.
  • Q4 2011 included a charge of £300 million relating to the bank levy. For more details of this charge refer to page 19.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • In Q4 2011 the Group recorded a loss of £370 million on FVOD, as Group credit spreads tightened. Wider credit spreads in Q4 2010 resulted in a gain of £582 million.
  • The Q4 2011 APS fair value charge was £209 million compared with a charge of £725 million in Q4 2010, reflecting improved credit spreads in the quarter, as well as a further reduction in assets covered to £131.8 billion at 31 December 2011.
  • Integration and restructuring costs increased from £299 million in Q4 2010 to £478 million in Q4 2011 largely reflecting significant restructuring within GBM along with continued business and country exits.
  • A gain of £502 million on strategic disposals for Q4 2010 largely reflected the £837 million gain on the sale of Global Merchant Services, partially offset by losses on Non-Core project finance assets.

Bank levy

The Finance Act 2011 introduced an annual bank levy in the UK. The levy is collected through the existing quarterly Corporation Tax collection mechanism starting with payment dates on or after 19 July 2011.

The levy is based on the total chargeable equity and liabilities as reported in the balance sheet at the end of a chargeable period. The first chargeable period for the Group was the year ended 31 December 2011. In determining the chargeable equity and liabilities the following amounts are excluded: adjusted Tier 1 capital; certain "protected deposits" (for example those protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme); liabilities that arise from certain insurance business within banking groups; liabilities in respect of currency notes in circulation; Financial Services Compensation Scheme liabilities; liabilities representing segregated client money; and deferred tax liabilities, current tax liabilities, liabilities in respect of the levy, revaluation of property liabilities, liabilities representing the revaluation of business premises and defined benefit retirement liabilities. It is also permitted in specified circumstances to reduce certain liabilities: by netting them against certain assets; offsetting assets on the relevant balance sheets that would qualify as high quality liquid assets (in accordance with the FSA definition); and repo liabilities secured against sovereign and supranational debt.

The levy will be set at a rate of 0.088 per cent from 2012. Three different rates applied during 2011, these average to 0.075 per cent. Certain liabilities are subject to only a half rate, namely any deposits not otherwise excluded, (except for those from financial institutions and financial traders) and liabilities with a maturity greater than one year at the balance sheet date. The levy is not charged on the first £20 billion of chargeable liabilities. The cost of the levy to the Group for 2011 is £300 million. As the Group continues to target a reduction in wholesale funding, the cost should decline over time absent further rate increases.

Capital resources and ratios 31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Core Tier 1 capital £46bn £48bn £50bn
Tier 1 capital £57bn £58bn £60bn
Total capital £61bn £62bn £65bn
Risk-weighted assets
- gross £508bn £512bn £571bn
- benefit of the Asset Protection Scheme (£69bn) (£89bn) (£106bn)
Risk-weighted assets £439bn £423bn £465bn
Core Tier 1 ratio (1) 10.6% 11.3% 10.7%
Tier 1 ratio 13.0% 13.8% 12.9%
Total capital ratio 13.8% 14.7% 14.0%

Note:

(1) The benefit of APS in Core Tier 1 ratio is 0.9% at 31 December 2011 (30 September 2011 - 1.3%; 31 December 2010 - 1.2%).

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • The Group's Core Tier 1 ratio remained strong at 10.6%. Core Tier 1 ratio fell 10 basis points compared with 2010, reflecting the PPI charge, the impairment taken on the Group's AFS bond portfolio in relation to Greek sovereign bonds, the bank levy and the implementation of CRD III.
  • Gross risk-weighted assets fell £63 billion, or 11% in 2011. Net of the APS scheme the decline was £26 billion. The fall in risk-weighted assets was largely driven by Non-Core run-off and business exits, combined with specific actions taken in Non-Core to reduce capital intensive assets. These were partially offset by CRD III related uplifts which added £21 billion.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • The Core Tier 1 ratio declined 70 basis points versus Q3 2011, reflecting a £21 billion uplift in risk-weighted assets from the implementation of CRD III, along with the quarter's attributable loss.
  • Gross risk-weighted assets were broadly flat on the previous quarter, with the CRD III related uplift offset by Non-Core risk-weighted assets reduction from run-off and restructuring activity.
  • The Q4 2011 capital relief from APS declined to 0.9%, versus 1.3% in Q3 2011, due to the significant decline in covered assets in Non-Core of £20 billion.
Balance sheet 31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Funded balance sheet (1) £977bn £1,035bn £1,026bn
Total assets £1,507bn £1,608bn £1,454bn
Loans and advances to customers (2) £474bn £487bn £508bn
Customer deposits (3) £437bn £435bn £431bn
Loan:deposit ratio - Core (4) 94% 95% 96%
Loan:deposit ratio - Group (4) 108% 112% 118%

Notes:

  • (1) Funded balance sheet represents total assets less derivatives.
  • (2) Excluding reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing, and including disposal groups.
  • (3) Excluding repurchase agreements and stock lending, and including disposal groups.
  • (4) Net of provisions and including disposal groups. Excluding disposal groups, the loan:deposit ratios of Core and Group at 31 December 2011 were 94% and 110% respectively.

Key points

  • Funded assets declined £58 billion in the quarter to close the year at £977 billion. GBM's funded assets fell £35 billion in 2011, to £362 billion, with further reductions to circa £300 billion of funded assets targeted as RBS restructures its wholesale businesses. Non-Core funded assets fell by £11 billion in the quarter, £44 billion in the year, closing 2011 with funded assets of £94 billion, ahead of its revised target of £96 billion.
  • Loans and advances to customers, including disposal groups of £19 billion, were down 3% from Q3 2011, and down 7% from Q4 2010, largely reflecting run-off in Non-Core. Loans and advances in R&C were broadly flat in the year.
  • Customer deposits, including disposal groups of £23 billion, increased by £6 billion from Q4 2010. R&C deposits increased by £10 billion, 3%, from 2010, partially offset by a decrease in Non-Core as business disposals and country exits continued. Customer deposits also increased by £3 billion compared with Q3 2011, as UK Retail attracted £3 billion of new deposits and UK Corporate attracted £2 billion of new deposits, partially offset by reductions in GBM and Ulster Bank.
  • The Group loan:deposit ratio improved to 108% at 31 December 2011, a 900 basis point improvement from 31 December 2010. The Core loan:deposit ratio also improved to 94% compared with 96% a year earlier.

Further discussion of the Group's liquidity and funding position is included on pages 136 to 145.

Divisional performance

The operating profit/(loss)(1) of each division is shown below.

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Operating profit/(loss) before
impairment losses by division
UK Retail 2,779 2,532 652 694 780
UK Corporate 2,199 2,224 509 529 552
Wealth 346 322 109 75 93
Global Transaction Services 909 1,097 244 240 270
Ulster Bank 360 400 88 108 105
US Retail & Commercial 804 823 222 199 169
Retail & Commercial 7,397 7,398 1,824 1,845 1,969
Global Banking & Markets 1,610 3,515 (27) 80 522
RBS Insurance 454 (295) 125 123 (9)
Central items 154 580 81 70 119
Core 9,615 11,198 2,003 2,118 2,601
Non-Core (284) (29) (557) (315) (405)
Group operating profit before
impairment losses 9,331 11,169 1,446 1,803 2,196
Impairment losses/(recoveries)
by division
UK Retail 788 1,160 191 195 222
UK Corporate 785 761 234 228 219
Wealth 25 18 13 4 6
Global Transaction Services 166 9 47 45 3
Ulster Bank 1,384 1,161 327 327 376
US Retail & Commercial 325 517 65 84 105
Retail & Commercial 3,473 3,626 877 883 931
Global Banking & Markets 49 151 68 (32) (5)
Central items (2) 3 (4) 3 4
Core 3,520 3,780 941 854 930
Non-Core 3,919 5,476 751 682 1,211
Group impairment losses 7,439 9,256 1,692 1,536 2,141

Note:

(1) Operating profit/(loss) before movements in the fair value of own debt, Asset Protection Scheme, Payment Protection Insurance costs, sovereign debt impairment, amortisation of purchased intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, bonus tax, bank levy, write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets, interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired available-for-sale Greek government bonds and RFS Holdings minority interest.

Divisional performance (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Operating profit/(loss) by division
UK Retail 1,991 1,372 461 499 558
UK Corporate 1,414 1,463 275 301 333
Wealth 321 304 96 71 87
Global Transaction Services 743 1,088 197 195 267
Ulster Bank (1,024) (761) (239) (219) (271)
US Retail & Commercial 479 306 157 115 64
Retail & Commercial 3,924 3,772 947 962 1,038
Global Banking & Markets 1,561 3,364 (95) 112 527
RBS Insurance 454 (295) 125 123 (9)
Central items 156 577 85 67 115
Core 6,095 7,418 1,062 1,264 1,671
Non-Core (4,203) (5,505) (1,308) (997) (1,616)
Group operating profit/(loss) 1,892 1,913 (246) 267 55
Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
% % % % %
Net interest margin by division
UK Retail 3.92 3.91 3.75 3.90 4.05
UK Corporate 2.58 2.51 2.55 2.48 2.55
Wealth 3.59 3.37 3.86 3.46 3.29
Global Transaction Services 5.52 6.73 5.29 5.33 6.14
Ulster Bank 1.77 1.84 1.81 1.85 1.77
US Retail & Commercial 3.06 2.85 3.03 3.09 3.00
Retail & Commercial 3.21 3.14 3.17 3.19 3.21
Global Banking & Markets 0.73 1.05 0.76 0.71 0.93
Non-Core 0.64 1.16 0.31 0.43 1.09
Group net interest margin 1.92 2.01 1.84 1.84 2.02

Divisional performance (continued)

31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
Change 31 December
2010
£bn
Change
Risk-weighted assets by division
UK Retail 48.4 48.7 (1%) 48.8 (1%)
UK Corporate 76.1 75.7 1% 81.4 (7%)
Wealth 12.9 13.0 (1%) 12.5 3%
Global Transaction Services 17.3 18.6 (7%) 18.3 (5%)
Ulster Bank 36.3 34.4 6% 31.6 15%
US Retail & Commercial 58.8 56.5 4% 57.0 3%
Retail & Commercial 249.8 246.9 1% 249.6 -
Global Banking & Markets 151.1 134.3 13% 146.9 3%
Other 10.8 9.8 10% 18.0 (40%)
Core 411.7 391.0 5% 414.5 (1%)
Non-Core 93.3 117.9 (21%) 153.7 (39%)
Group before benefit of Asset Protection Scheme 505.0 508.9 (1%) 568.2 (11%)
Benefit of Asset Protection Scheme (69.1) (88.6) (22%) (105.6) (35%)
Group before RFS Holdings
minority interest 435.9 420.3 4% 462.6 (6%)
RFS Holdings minority interest 3.1 3.0 3% 2.9 7%
Group 439.0 423.3 4% 465.5 (6%)

For the purposes of the divisional return on equity ratios, notional equity has been calculated as a percentage of the monthly average of divisional risk-weighted assets, adjusted for capital deductions. Currently, 9% has been applied to the Retail & Commercial divisions and 10% to Global Banking & Markets. However, these will be subject to modification as the final Basel III rules and ICB recommendations are considered.

Employee numbers by division (full time equivalents in continuing
operations rounded to the nearest hundred)
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
UK Retail 27,700 27,900 28,200
UK Corporate 13,500 13,600 13,100
Wealth 5,700 5,600 5,200
Global Transaction Services 2,600 2,700 2,600
Ulster Bank 4,200 4,400 4,200
US Retail & Commercial 15,200 15,300 15,700
Retail & Commercial 68,900 69,500 69,000
Global Banking & Markets 17,000 18,900 18,700
RBS Insurance 14,900 15,200 14,500
Group Centre 6,200 6,100 4,700
Core 107,000 109,700 106,900
Non-Core 4,700 5,300 6,900
111,700 115,000 113,800
Business Services 34,000 34,200 34,400
Integration and restructuring 1,100 1,100 300
Group 146,800 150,300 148,500

UK Retail

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 4,272 4,078 1,036 1,074 1,088
Net fees and commissions 1,066 1,100 242 259 316
Other non-interest income (net of insurance
claims) 140 237 35 33 55
Non-interest income 1,206 1,337 277 292 371
Total income 5,478 5,415 1,313 1,366 1,459
Direct expenses
- staff (839) (889) (200) (206) (208)
- other (437) (480) (116) (102) (71)
Indirect expenses (1,423) (1,514) (345) (364) (400)
(2,699) (2,883) (661) (672) (679)
Operating profit before impairment losses 2,779 2,532 652 694 780
Impairment losses (788) (1,160) (191) (195) (222)
Operating profit 1,991 1,372 461 499 558
Analysis of income by product
Personal advances 1,089 993 276 260 275
Personal deposits 961 1,102 214 236 271
Mortgages 2,277 1,984 577 576 557
Cards
Other, including bancassurance
950
201
962
374
238
8
231
63
251
105
Total income 5,478 5,415 1,313 1,366 1,459
Analysis of impairments by sector
Mortgages 182 177 32 34 30
Personal 437 682 116 120 131
Cards 169 301 43 41 61
Total impairment losses 788 1,160 191 195 222
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) by sector
Mortgages 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Personal 4.3% 5.8% 4.6% 4.7% 4.5%
Cards 3.0% 4.9% 3.0% 2.9% 4.0%
Total 0.7% 1.1% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%

UK Retail (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 26.4% 18.0% 25.1% 26.7% 25.2%
Net interest margin 3.92% 3.91% 3.75% 3.90% 4.05%
Cost:income ratio 49% 52% 50% 49% 46%
Adjusted cost:income ratio (2) 49% 53% 50% 49% 47%
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£bn £bn Change £bn Change
Capital and balance sheet
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (3)
- mortgages 95.0 94.2 1% 90.6 5%
- personal 10.1 10.3 (2%) 11.7 (14%)
- cards 5.7 5.6 2% 6.1 (7%)
110.8 110.1 1% 108.4 2%
Customer deposits (excluding
bancassurance) (3) 101.9 98.6 3% 96.1 6%
Assets under management (excluding
deposits) 5.5 5.6 (2%) 5.7 (4%)
Risk elements in lending (3) 4.6 4.7 (2%) 4.6 -
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 106% 109% (300bp) 110% (400bp)
Risk-weighted assets 48.4 48.7 (1%) 48.8 (1%)

Notes:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

(2) Adjusted cost:income ratio is based on total income after netting insurance claims and operating expenses.

(3) Includes disposal groups: loans and advances to customers £7.3 billion; risk elements in lending £0.5 billion; customer deposits £8.8 billion.

Key points

In 2010, UK Retail set out an aspiration to become the UK's most helpful bank and launched the Customer Charter. In 2011, we made good progress on our Customer Charter commitments and the roll-out of innovation that actually helps customers. In December 2011, UK Retail refined its staff incentive scheme to further strengthen the role of customer service and to help build long lasting customer relationships.

Progress against the Customer Charter commitments is independently assessed and has shown encouraging results. By the end of 2011, we achieved the goal of serving 80% of our customers in less than 5 minutes in our busiest branches. Branch opening hours have also been extended and standardised, which means that our branches are now open for an additional 5,000 hours per week at times our customers have told us suit them.

Innovation has supported the delivery of Helpful Banking by focusing on solutions that make it easier for customers to bank with RBS and NatWest. An important example has been giving customers access to 24 hour emergency cash from NatWest and RBS ATMs when their cards are lost or stolen. We also updated our market-leading iPhone application and by the end of the year 1 million customers had downloaded the application. With successful apps also launched for iPad, Android and Blackberry, RBS is now the leading mobile bank in the UK.

UK Retail (continued)

Key points (continued)

2011 compared with 2010

  • UK Retail delivered strong full year results, as operating profit increased by £619 million to £1,991 million, despite continued uncertainty in the economic climate and the low interest rate environment. Profit before impairments was up £247 million or 10%, while impairments fell by £372 million, with further improvements in the unsecured book and continued careful mortgage underwriting. Return on equity improved to 26.4%.
  • The division continued to focus on growing secured lending while at the same time building customer deposits, thereby reducing the Group's reliance on wholesale funding. Loans and advances to customers grew 2%, with a change in mix from unsecured to secured as the Group actively sought to improve its risk profile. Mortgage balances grew by 5%, while unsecured lending contracted by 11%.
  • o Mortgage growth reflected continued strong new business levels. Gross mortgage lending market share of 10% continues above our stock position of 8%.
  • o Customer deposits grew 6%, outperforming the market total deposit growth of 3%. Savings balances grew by £6 billion, or 9%, with 1.5 million accounts opened, demonstrating the strength of our customer franchise and our strategy to further develop primary banking relationships.
  • Net interest income increased by 5% to £4,272 million, driven by strong balance sheet growth. Net interest margin remained broadly flat with recovering asset margins largely offset by more competitive savings rates and lower long term swap rate returns adversely impacting liability margins.
  • Non-interest income declined 10% to £1,206 million, primarily driven by lower investment and protection income as a result of the dissolution of the bancassurance joint venture. In addition, a number of changes have been made to support delivery of Helpful Banking, such as 'Act Now' text alerts, which have decreased fee income.
  • Overall expenses decreased by 6%, with the adjusted cost:income ratio improving from 53% to 49%. Cost reductions were driven by a clear management focus on process re-engineering and operational efficiency together with benefits from the dissolution of the bancassurance joint venture, partly offset by higher inflation rates in utility and mail costs.
  • Impairment losses decreased 32% to £788 million reflecting the impact of a strengthened risk appetite, and a more stable economic environment.
  • Risk-weighted assets were broadly stable, with volume growth in lower risk secured mortgages partly offset by a decrease in the unsecured portfolio.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

• UK Retail achieved strong deposit growth of £3.3 billion or 3% in the quarter, with competitive fixed rate bond and ISA offerings helping to deliver strong growth in savings balances. With interest rates falling and declining consumer activity, this strong deposit-gathering performance was balanced by narrowing liability margins and lower fee income, resulting in a 4% drop in income and operating profit of £461 million, £38 million lower than in the previous quarter.

UK Retail (continued)

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011 (continued)

  • Mortgage balances increased £0.8 billion and RBS's share of gross new lending remained strong at 10% in the quarter, above its share of stock at 8%. Unsecured lending declined 1% as the Group continued to focus on lower risk secured lending. In conjunction with the strong deposit growth recorded during the quarter, this resulted in an improvement in the loan to deposit ratio to 106% from 109% in Q3 2011.
  • Net interest income fell 4%, £38 million, driven by the continued tightening of liability margins, with competitive pricing on savings balances and a continued decline in long-term swap rate returns on current accounts. Overall the net interest margin declined 15 basis points to 3.75%.
  • Non-interest income declined by 5%, £15 million, as subdued consumer spending activity continued to depress transaction volumes.
  • Overall expenses decreased by 2%, £11 million, with direct staff costs down 3%, £6 million, due to headcount reductions and lower staff compensation. Indirect costs decreased by 5%, £19 million, driven by further cost saving initiatives linked to compensation costs and technology savings.
  • Impairment losses decreased by 2% or £4 million during the period.
  • Mortgage impairment losses were £32 million on a total book of £95 billion, £2 million lower than Q3 2011. Arrears rates were stable and remained below the Council of Mortgage Lenders industry average. Provision coverage levels remain stable.
  • The unsecured portfolio impairment charge of £159 million, on a book of almost £16 billion, was broadly flat. Default levels remained stable. Industry benchmarks for cards arrears remain stable, with RBS continuing to perform better than the market.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit decreased by £97 million, with income down 10%, costs down 3% and impairments 14% lower than in Q4 2010.
  • Net interest income was 5% lower, with strong mortgage and deposit balance growth more than offset by a reduction in net interest margin. Liability margins fell as a result of continued competitive pressure on new business savings margins and lower long term swap rate returns adversely impacting current account income.
  • Customer deposits were up 6%, with savings balances 9% higher, significantly outperforming the market. This strong deposit growth contributed to a reduction of the loan to deposit ratio from 110% to 106%.
  • Non-interest income declined by 25%, £94 million, largely driven by the dissolution of the bancassurance joint venture combined with lower spending and investment activity reflecting the general economic environment.
  • Overall expenses were 3% lower, despite increased charges relating to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, reflecting continued implementation of process efficiencies and lower average staff compensation and benefits from the dissolution of the bancassurance joint venture.
  • Impairment losses decreased by 14%, £31 million, primarily reflecting improvements in default rates on the unsecured book.

UK Corporate

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 2,585 2,572 634 621 653
Net fees and commissions 948 952 229 244 251
Other non-interest income 327 371 62 83 79
Non-interest income 1,275 1,323 291 327 330
Total income 3,860 3,895 925 948 983
Direct expenses
- staff (780) (778) (195) (184) (198)
- other (335) (359) (86) (88) (93)
Indirect expenses (546) (534) (135) (147) (140)
(1,661) (1,671) (416) (419) (431)
Operating profit before impairment losses 2,199 2,224 509 529 552
Impairment losses (785) (761) (234) (228) (219)
Operating profit 1,414 1,463 275 301 333
Analysis of income by business
Corporate and commercial lending 2,676 2,598 634 647 657
Asset and invoice finance 660 617 169 176 166
Corporate deposits 683 728 170 172 184
Other (159) (48) (48) (47) (24)
Total income 3,860 3,895 925 948 983
Analysis of impairments by sector
Banks and financial institutions 20 20 (2) 6 12
Hotels and restaurants 59 52 16 22 18
Housebuilding and construction 103 131 27 29 47
Manufacturing 34 1 13 9 (9)
Other 163 127 37 36 (12)
Private sector education, health, social work,
recreational and community services 113 30 81 20 21
Property 170 245 19 82 84
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs 85 91 29 24 31
Asset and invoice finance 38 64 14 - 27
Total impairment losses 785 761 234 228 219

UK Corporate (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) by sector
Banks and financial institutions 0.4% 0.3% (0.1%) 0.4% 0.8%
Hotels and restaurants 1.0% 0.8% 1.0% 1.4% 1.1%
Housebuilding and construction 2.6% 2.9% 2.8% 2.9% 4.2%
Manufacturing 0.7% - 1.1% 0.8% (0.7%)
Other 0.5% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% (0.2%)
Private sector education, health, social work,
recreational and community services 1.3% 0.3% 3.7% 0.9% 0.9%
Property 0.6% 0.8% 0.3% 1.1% 1.1%
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs 1.0% 0.9% 1.4% 1.1% 1.3%
Asset and invoice finance 0.4% 0.6% 0.5% - 1.1%
Total 0.7% 0.7% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8%

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 12.4% 12.1% 10.2% 11.1% 11.8%
Net interest margin 2.58% 2.51% 2.55% 2.48% 2.55%
Cost:income ratio 43% 43% 45% 44% 44%
31 December 30 September 31 December
2011
£bn
2011
£bn
Change 2010
£bn
Change
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets 111.8 112.7 (1%) 114.6 (2%)
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (2)
- banks and financial institutions 5.7 5.7 - 6.1 (7%)
- hotels and restaurants 6.1 6.3 (3%) 6.8 (10%)
- housebuilding and construction 3.9 4.0 (3%) 4.5 (13%)
- manufacturing 4.6 4.7 (2%) 5.3 (13%)
- other 32.6 32.6 - 31.0 5%
- private sector education, health, social
work, recreational and community services 8.7 8.7 - 9.0 (3%)
- property 28.2 29.0 (3%) 29.5 (4%)
- wholesale and retail trade, repairs 8.5 8.9 (4%) 9.6 (11%)
- asset and invoice finance 10.4 10.1 3% 9.9 5%
108.7 110.0 (1%) 111.7 (3%)
Customer deposits (2) 100.9 98.9 2% 100.0 1%
Risk elements in lending (2) 5.0 4.9 2% 4.0 25%
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 106% 109% (300bp) 110% (400bp)
Risk-weighted assets 76.1 75.7 1% 81.4 (7%)

Notes:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax, divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

(2) Includes disposal groups: loans and advances to customers £12.2 billion; risk elements in lending £1.0 billion; customer deposits £21.8 billion.

UK Corporate (continued)

Key points

In 2011, UK Corporate focused on supporting its customers through challenging economic times.

As a result of over 5,000 hours of customer research, UK Corporate launched the 'Ahead for Business' promise to its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers.

To deliver on this, the division launched a number of initiatives to improve the service it offers to customers. For example, the 'Working with You' initiative, has seen over 4,600 visits to customer businesses since its launch in Q2 2011. Additionally, following the launch of the relationship manager accreditation programme, also in Q2 2011, almost all relationship managers have gained full accreditation in the initial phase.

UK Corporate continued to support new and existing businesses during 2011:

  • launching its best ever fixed rate loan product for SMEs;
  • reacting quickly after the August riots to give affected businesses access to special interest rate and fee free lending products;
  • answering over 4,000 calls on the Start-up Hotline, offering free advice and a complementary business plan review service; and
  • supporting more debt capital and loan market deals for larger corporates than any other bank

The division also took measures to reduce the risk retained in the business allowing for quicker and more consistent decisions by simplifying the credit underwriting process and improving automated decision making.

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit decreased 3% to £1,414 million, as lower income and higher impairments were only partially offset by a decrease in expenses.
  • Net interest income remained broadly flat. Net interest margin improved 7 basis points with benefits from re-pricing the lending portfolio and the revision to income deferral assumptions in Q1 2011 partially offset by increased funding costs together with continued pressure on deposit margins. A 1% increase in deposit balances supported an improvement in the loan to deposit ratio to 106%.
  • Non-interest income decreased by 4% as a result of lower GBM cross-sales and fee income, partially offset by increased Invoice Finance and Lombard income.
  • Excluding the £29 million OFT penalty in 2010, total costs increased by 1%, largely reflecting increased investment in the business and higher costs of managing the non-performing book.
  • Impairments of £785 million were 3% higher due to increased specific impairments and collectively assessed provisions, partially offset by lower latent loss provisions.

UK Corporate (continued)

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Operating profit of £275 million was 9% lower, with increased net interest income more than offset by higher impairments and lower non-interest income.
  • Net interest income rose by 2% and net interest margin by 7 basis points, with improved lending margins more than offsetting continued pressure on deposit margins. Strong growth in customer deposits, up £2 billion or 2%, contributed to an improvement in the loan to deposit ratio from 109% to 106%.
  • Non-interest income fell by 11%, due to a number of valuation adjustments, including derivative close out costs associated with impaired assets.
  • Total costs decreased 1% due to lower indirect costs, partially offset by higher discretionary staff costs.
  • Impairment losses increased £6 million due to a small number of specific provisions, partially offset by an improvement in collectively assessed balances and latent provision releases.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit decreased 17%, driven by lower income and increased impairments.
  • Net interest income decreased 3%, impacted by higher funding and liquidity costs. Excluding these costs income increased 1% with net interest margin up 11 basis points, reflecting the benefit from re-pricing the lending portfolio.
  • Non-interest income decreased 12%, largely driven by a number of valuation adjustments, including derivative close out costs associated with impaired assets.
  • Total costs decreased 3%, despite the higher operational costs of managing the non-performing book in Q4 2011, largely reflecting a decrease in staff incentive costs.
  • Impairment losses increased £15 million reflecting higher specific provisions.

Wealth

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Income statement
Net interest income
718 609 191 178 160
Net fees and commissions
Other non-interest income
375
84
376
71
89
23
95
23
94
17
Non-interest income 459 447 112 118 111
Total income 1,177 1,056 303 296 271
Direct expenses
- staff
- other
Indirect expenses
(413)
(195)
(223)
(382)
(142)
(210)
(96)
(43)
(55)
(106)
(57)
(58)
(96)
(29)
(53)
Operating profit before impairment losses
Impairment losses
(831)
346
(25)
(734)
322
(18)
(194)
109
(13)
(221)
75
(4)
(178)
93
(6)
Operating profit 321 304 96 71 87
Analysis of income
Private banking
Investments
975
202
857
199
255
48
244
52
220
51
Total income 1,177 1,056 303 296 271

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 18.7% 18.9% 22.1% 16.3% 21.0%
Net interest margin 3.59% 3.37% 3.86% 3.46% 3.29%
Cost:income ratio 71% 70% 64% 75% 66%
31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
Change 31 December
2010
£bn
Change
Capital and balance sheet
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
- mortgages 8.3 8.3 - 7.8 6%
- personal 6.9 7.2 (4%) 6.7 3%
- other 1.7 1.5 13% 1.6 6%
16.9 17.0 (1%) 16.1 5%
Customer deposits (2) 38.2 37.4 2% 37.1 3%
Assets under management (excluding
deposits) (2) 30.9 29.9 3% 33.9 (9%)
Risk elements in lending 0.2 0.2 - 0.2 -
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) (2) 44% 45% (100bp) 43% 100bp
Risk-weighted assets 12.9 13.0 (1%) 12.5 3%

Notes:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

(2) 31 December 2010 comparatives were revised in Q3 2011 to reflect the current reporting methodology.

Wealth (continued)

Key points

2011 has been a significant year for the Coutts businesses from a strategic perspective. In Q1 2011, a new divisional strategy was defined with the execution of early changes already making an impact.

Key strategic changes in 2011 included:

  • A refreshed Coutts brand bringing Coutts UK and RBS Coutts under one single contemporary brand.
  • A refocus on territories where the businesses have the opportunity for greatest scale or growth such as UK, Asia, Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
  • Further development of client propositions as well as the portfolio of products and services for key international markets.
  • Strategic investment in technology leading to the development of a single global technology platform for the Wealth division. The platform was successfully deployed in Adam & Company in 2011 with Coutts UK to follow in 2012.
  • Strengthening the connectivity between Wealth and other Group divisions including referrals in international jurisdictions and improved connectivity with UK Corporate.
  • Continued activity to ensure the division responds to new or expected regulatory changes with proactive solution design and preparation.
  • Injection of new management into key roles from both internal and external sources including key segment heads, marketing, products & services, and international executive leadership.

Following the establishment of a single global brand in Q4 2011, focus turned to the reorganisation of key global functions such as marketing and product & services, as well as some local management structures. These reorganisations have realigned the division to maximise execution of the divisional strategy.

The execution plan for the strategy will continue into 2012 and position Wealth strongly against its peers.

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit increased by 6% on 2010 to £321 million, driven by a 11% growth in income partially offset by increases in expenses and impairments.
  • Income increased by £121 million with a 24 basis points improvement in lending margins, strong treasury income and increases in lending and deposit volumes. Non-interest income rose 3%, with investment income growing 2% despite turbulent market conditions.
  • Expenses increased by £97 million, largely driven by adverse foreign exchange movements and headcount growth to service the increased revenue base. Additional strategic investment in technology enhancement, rebranding and programmes to support regulatory change also contributed to the increase.
  • Client assets and liabilities managed by the division decreased by 1%. Customer deposits grew 3% in a competitive environment and lending volumes grew 5%. Assets under management declined 9%, with fund outflows contributing 3% of the decrease and market conditions making up the balance.

Wealth (continued)

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Operating profit increased 35% to £96 million in the quarter with a small increase in income and lower expenses partially offset by a rise in impairments.
  • Income increased 2% in Q4 2011 with a 7% increase in net interest income partially offset by a 5% decline in non-interest income. The growth in net interest income reflects continued growth in lending margins and strong treasury income. Non-interest income declined with turbulent market conditions resulting in a decrease in investment and brokerage income.
  • Expenses decreased 12% largely driven by a decrease in Financial Services Compensation Scheme levies and lower incentive costs, assisted by a favourable movement in exchange rates.
  • Client assets and liabilities managed by the division increased by 2%. Lending volumes were stable and deposit volumes increased 2%, primarily in the UK, as result of a successful fixed term deposit campaign. Assets under management grew 3% with stable net new business and positive market movements.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit increased 10% with a 12% growth in income partially offset by higher expenses and impairments.
  • Income increased due to a 19% rise in net interest income with a 57 basis points improvement in net interest margin reflecting strong treasury income, higher lending margins and growth in deposit volumes. Non-interest income increased 1%.
  • Expenses rose 9% reflecting adverse movements in exchange rates and continued investment in private banker recruitment, strategic initiatives and regulatory project spend.

Global Transaction Services

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 1,076 974 277 276 263
Non-interest income 1,175 1,587 296 300 375
Total income 2,251 2,561 573 576 638
Direct expenses
- staff (375) (411) (95) (89) (105)
- other (113) (159) (26) (26) (51)
Indirect expenses (854) (894) (208) (221) (212)
(1,342) (1,464) (329) (336) (368)
Operating profit before impairment losses 909 1,097 244 240 270
Impairment losses (166) (9) (47) (45) (3)
Operating profit 743 1,088 197 195 267
Analysis of income by product
Domestic cash management
International cash management
866
868
818
801
221
222
216
220
207
223
Trade finance 318 309 77 90 81
Merchant acquiring 16 451 5 4 80
Commercial cards 183 182 48 46 47
Total income 2,251 2,561 573 576 638

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 30.4% 42.8% 33.0% 31.0% 42.7%
Net interest margin 5.52% 6.73% 5.29% 5.33% 6.14%
Cost:income ratio 60% 57% 57% 58% 58%
31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
Change 31 December
2010
£bn
Change
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets 25.9 29.9 (13%) 25.2 3%
Loans and advances 15.8 19.5 (19%) 14.4 10%
Customer deposits 71.7 71.4 - 69.9 3%
Risk elements in lending 0.2 0.2 - 0.1 100%
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 22% 28% (600bp) 21% 100bp
Risk-weighted assets 17.3 18.6 (7%) 18.3 (5%)

Note:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

Global Transaction Services (continued)

Key points

In Q4 2011, Global Transaction Services (GTS) maintained operating profit levels with continued focus on cost management and an improved funding contribution.

GTS recognises the important role international trade plays in a strong global economy and throughout 2011 the division supported UK companies, both in the UK and overseas, to do more business internationally. This support included delivering a series of UK Government-backed 'Doing Business in Asia' events.

During the year, GTS invested in improving existing products and services and also in developing new ones. To help corporate treasurers manage their global positions, the division launched a global Liquidity Solutions Portal, giving its customers a view of their operational and investment balances and rates all in one place, improving transparency, and enabling them to execute and redeem investments effectively.

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit was down 32%, partly reflecting the sale of Global Merchant Services (GMS) which completed on 30 November 2010. Adjusting for the disposal, operating profit decreased 16%, driven by an impairment provision on a single name in 2011.
  • Excluding GMS, income was 7% higher driven by the success of deposit-gathering initiatives, as deposits increased £2 billion in a competitive environment.
  • Excluding GMS, expenses increased by 10%, reflecting business improvement initiatives and investment in technology and support infrastructure.
  • Impairment losses increased to £166 million compared with £9 million in 2010 reflecting a single name impairment.
  • For the eleven months in 2010 before completion of the disposal, GMS generated income of £451 million, total expenses of £244 million and an operating profit of £207 million.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Operating profit was in line with Q3 2011 reflecting resilient income and slightly higher impairment charges, offset by lower expenses.
  • Income fell by 1% as a result of seasonally lower trade finance activity.
  • Total expenses fell by 2% largely driven by a reduction in technology and infrastructure support costs, partially offset by lower discretionary staff costs in Q3 2011.
  • Q4 2011 impairment losses of £47 million, up 4%, largely related to additional provisioning on an existing single name impairment.
  • Customer deposits held up well in a competitive environment despite the adverse effect of a weakened Euro exchange rate.
  • Third party assets decreased 13% as a result of reduced trade finance activity and the positive impact of balance sheet efficiency initiatives.
  • Risk-weighted assets fell 7%, primarily benefitting from lower loans and advances.

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit was down 26%, driven by a provision on a single name in 2011. Adjusting for the sale of GMS, which completed on 30 November 2010, operating profit decreased 17%.
  • Excluding GMS, income increased by 3% driven by strong deposit gathering initiatives and expenses increased by 3%, reflecting business improvement initiatives and investment in technology and support infrastructure.
  • In the two months in Q4 2010 before completion of the disposal, GMS recorded income of £80 million, total expenses of £50 million and an operating profit of £30 million.

Ulster Bank

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 696 761 171 185 187
Net fees and commissions 142 156 28 41 40
Other non-interest income 69 58 21 19 16
Non-interest income 211 214 49 60 56
Total income 907 975 220 245 243
Direct expenses
- staff (221) (237) (53) (55) (57)
- other (67) (74) (15) (17) (17)
Indirect expenses (259) (264) (64) (65) (64)
(547) (575) (132) (137) (138)
Operating profit before impairment losses 360 400 88 108 105
Impairment losses (1,384) (1,161) (327) (327) (376)
Operating loss (1,024) (761) (239) (219) (271)
Analysis of income by business
Corporate 435 521 98 107 122
Retail 428 465 101 116 124
Other 44 (11) 21 22 (3)
Total income 907 975 220 245 243
Analysis of impairments by sector
Mortgages 570 294 133 126 159
Corporate
- property 324 375 83 78 69
- other corporate 434 444 100 111 135
Other lending 56 48 11 12 13
Total impairment losses 1,384 1,161 327 327 376
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) by sector
Mortgages 2.8% 1.4% 2.7% 2.4% 3.0%
Corporate
- property 6.8% 6.9% 6.9% 6.1% 5.1%
- other corporate 5.6% 4.9% 5.2% 5.4% 6.0%
Other lending 3.5% 3.7% 2.8% 3.2% 4.0%
Total 4.1% 3.1% 3.8% 3.7% 4.1%

Ulster Bank (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) (26.1%) (21.0%) (23.3%) (21.2%) (29.8%)
Net interest margin 1.77% 1.84% 1.81% 1.85% 1.77%
Cost:income ratio 60% 59% 60% 56% 57%
31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2011 2010
£bn £bn Change £bn Change
Capital and balance sheet
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
- mortgages 20.0 20.7 (3%) 21.2 (6%)
- corporate
- property 4.8 5.1 (6%) 5.4 (11%)
- other corporate 7.7 8.2 (6%) 9.0 (14%)
- other lending 1.6 1.5 7% 1.3 23%
34.1 35.5 (4%) 36.9 (8%)
Customer deposits 21.8 23.4 (7%) 23.1 (6%)
Risk elements in lending
- mortgages 2.2 2.1 5% 1.5 47%
- corporate
- property 1.3 1.5 (13%) 0.7 86%
- other corporate 1.8 1.8 - 1.2 50%
- other lending 0.2 0.2 - 0.2 -
Total risk elements in lending 5.5 5.6 (2%) 3.6 53%
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 143% 141% 200bp 152% (900bp)
Risk-weighted assets 36.3 34.4 6% 31.6 15%
Spot exchange rate - €/£ 1.196 1.162 1.160

Note:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating loss after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

Key points

2011 was another difficult year for the business due to the continued challenging economic environment. This was reflected in the financial performance, with ongoing pressure on income and a further increase in impairment losses.

Ulster Bank continues to make progress on its customer commitments and deposit gathering strategy, while cost management and targeting growth in areas that leverage competitive advantage, remain priorities. In 2011, customer numbers increased by 2%, representing a strong performance in current and savings accounts, driven by the enhanced customer service highlighted by our 'Help for what matters' programme.

Following a review of the cost base and operating model, 950 proposed job losses were announced in January 2012, the majority of which are expected by the end of 2012. This decision is a necessary part of the changes required to build a stronger sustainable business for the future.

Key points (continued)

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit before impairment losses decreased by £40 million in 2011 with lower income partially mitigated by cost savings. Impairment losses of £1,384 million increased by 19% from 2010 resulting in an operating loss of £1,024 million, 35% higher than 2010.
  • Income fell by 7% driven by a contracting performing loan book coupled with higher funding costs. Loans and advances to customers decreased by 5% in constant currency terms during 2011.
  • Expenses fell by 5% reflecting tight management of the cost base across the business.
  • Impairment losses increased by 19% largely reflecting the deterioration in credit metrics on the mortgage portfolio driven by a combination of higher debt flow and further fall in asset prices.
  • Despite intense competition, retail and small business deposit balances have grown strongly throughout 2011, driven by the benefits of a focused deposit gathering strategy. However, total customer deposit balances fell by 4% in constant currency terms largely driven by the outflow of wholesale customer balances due to rating downgrades.
  • Risk-weighted assets increased by 15% in 2011 reflecting the deterioration in credit risk metrics.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Operating loss for the quarter increased by £20 million to £239 million largely as higher funding costs in both wholesale and deposit markets continue to outweigh the impact of loan re-pricing initiatives and tight expense management.
  • Net interest income decreased by £14 million driven by a reduction in income earning assets coupled with an increase in funding costs. Customer loan balances reduced by 2% in constant currency terms, reflecting amortisation of the loan book, which continued to exceed new business volume growth. Net interest margin declined by 4 basis points in the quarter to 1.81%, with the decrease in income partly offset by lower asset balances.
  • Non-interest income fell by £11 million largely due to a one-off foreign exchange gain in Q3 2011.
  • Expenses remained broadly flat in the quarter in constant currency terms, but continued focus on cost management is driving towards a declining trend.
  • Impairment losses were flat, with lower losses on the corporate portfolio offset by an increase in mortgage losses.
  • Customer deposit balances decreased by 5% in constant currency terms reflecting an outflow of wholesale balances due to rating downgrades.

Ulster Bank (continued)

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating loss was £32 million lower primarily driven by a decrease in impairment charges on both the mortgage and corporate portfolios.
  • Net interest income fell by 9%, reflecting the impact of a reducing loan book coupled with higher funding costs. Net interest margin increased by 4 basis points primarily driven by progress made on initiatives to improve customer loan margins during 2011.
  • Non-interest income decreased by 13%, partially reflecting the loss of income from the merchant services business disposed of in Q4 2010.
  • Expenses were broadly flat in constant currency terms with a 6% fall in direct expenses offset by higher indirect expenses.

US Retail & Commercial (£ Sterling)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 1,896 1,917 493 483 467
Net fees and commissions 709 729 164 190 169
Other non-interest income 295 300 94 67 62
Non-interest income 1,004 1,029 258 257 231
Total income 2,900 2,946 751 740 698
Direct expenses
- staff (819) (784) (211) (206) (204)
- other (544) (569) (133) (152) (124)
Indirect expenses (733) (770) (185) (183) (201)
(2,096) (2,123) (529) (541) (529)
Operating profit before impairment losses 804 823 222 199 169
Impairment losses (325) (517) (65) (84) (105)
Operating profit 479 306 157 115 64
Average exchange rate - US\$/£ 1.604 1.546 1.573 1.611 1.581
Analysis of income by product
Mortgages and home equity 464 509 128 119 128
Personal lending and cards 420 476 94 111 113
Retail deposits 918 903 235 236 206
Commercial lending 580 580 147 149 141
Commercial deposits 292 320 76 75 75
Other 226 158 71 50 35
Total income 2,900 2,946 751 740 698
Analysis of impairments by sector
Residential mortgages 35 58 9 7 3
Home equity 99 126 19 29 26
Corporate and commercial 54 202 8 7 54
Other consumer 57 97 17 11 6
Securities 80 34 12 30 16
Total impairment losses 325 517 65 84 105
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) by sector
Residential mortgages 0.6% 1.0% 0.6% 0.5% 0.2%
Home equity 0.7% 0.8% 0.5% 0.8% 0.7%
Corporate and commercial 0.2% 1.0% 0.1% 0.1% 1.1%
Other consumer 0.8% 1.4% 0.9% 0.7% 0.3%
Total 0.5% 1.0% 0.4% 0.4% 0.7%

US Retail & Commercial (£ Sterling) (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 6.3% 3.6% 8.0% 6.0% 3.3%
Net interest margin 3.06% 2.85% 3.03% 3.09% 3.00%
Cost:income ratio 72% 72% 70% 73% 76%
31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
Change 31 December
2010
£bn
Change
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets 74.5 72.9 2% 71.2 5%
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
- residential mortgages 6.1 5.9 3% 6.1 -
- home equity 14.9 14.9 - 15.2 (2%)
- corporate and commercial 22.8 22.1 3% 20.4 12%
- other consumer 7.6 6.6 15% 6.9 10%
51.4 49.5 4% 48.6 6%
Customer deposits (excluding repos) 59.5 58.5 2% 58.7 1%
Risk elements in lending
- retail 0.6 0.6 - 0.4 50%
- commercial 0.4 0.4 - 0.5 (20%)
Total risk elements in lending 1.0 1.0 - 0.9 11%
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 85% 83% 200bp 81% 400bp
Risk-weighted assets 58.8 56.5 4% 57.0 3%
Spot exchange rate - US\$/£ 1.548 1.562 1.552

Note:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

  • Sterling weakened relative to the US dollar during the fourth quarter, with the average exchange rate decreasing by 2% compared with Q3 2011.
  • Performance is described in full in the US dollar-based financial statements set out on pages 45 and 46.

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
\$m \$m \$m \$m \$m
Income statement
Net interest income 3,042 2,962 777 778 739
Net fees and commissions 1,138 1,126 258 306 267
Other non-interest income 473 465 148 109 100
Non-interest income 1,611 1,591 406 415 367
Total income 4,653 4,553 1,183 1,193 1,106
Direct expenses
- staff (1,313) (1,212) (331) (332) (322)
- other (874) (880) (211) (245) (197)
Indirect expenses (1,176) (1,189) (291) (295) (317)
(3,363) (3,281) (833) (872) (836)
Operating profit before impairment losses
Impairment losses
1,290
(521)
1,272
(799)
350
(101)
321
(136)
270
(168)
Operating profit 769 473 249 185 102
Analysis of income by product
Mortgages and home equity 744 786 202 192 201
Personal lending and cards 673 735 147 179 179
Retail deposits 1,474 1,397 370 381 329
Commercial lending 931 896 232 240 223
Commercial deposits 469 495 120 121 119
Other 362 244 112 80 55
Total income 4,653 4,553 1,183 1,193 1,106
Analysis of impairments by sector
Residential mortgages 56 90 14 12 5
Home equity 160 194 29 48 40
Corporate and commercial 87 312 13 11 87
Other consumer 92 150 26 17 11
Securities 126 53 19 48 25
Total impairment losses 521 799 101 136 168
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) by sector
Residential mortgages 0.6% 1.0% 0.6% 0.5% 0.2%
Home equity 0.7% 0.8% 0.5% 0.8% 0.7%
Corporate and commercial 0.2% 1.0% 0.1% 0.1% 1.1%
Other consumer 0.8% 1.4% 0.9% 0.7% 0.4%
Total 0.5% 1.0% 0.4% 0.5% 0.8%

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 6.3% 3.6% 8.0% 6.0% 3.3%
Net interest margin 3.06% 2.85% 3.03% 3.09% 3.00%
Cost:income ratio 72% 72% 70% 73% 76%
31 December
2011
\$bn
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
\$bn Change \$bn Change
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets 115.3 113.8 1% 110.5 4%
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
- residential mortgages 9.4 9.1 3% 9.4 -
- home equity 23.1 23.3 (1%) 23.6 (2%)
- corporate and commercial 35.3 34.5 2% 31.7 11%
- other consumer 11.8 10.4 13% 10.6 11%
79.6 77.3 3% 75.3 6%
Customer deposits (excluding repos) 92.1 91.3 1% 91.2 1%
Risk elements in lending
- retail 1.0 0.9 11% 0.7 43%
- commercial 0.6 0.6 - 0.7 (14%)
Total risk elements in lending 1.6 1.5 7% 1.4 14%
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) 85% 83% 200bp 81% 400bp
Risk-weighted assets 91.1 88.2 3% 88.4 3%

Note:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 9% of monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

Key points

US R&C continued to focus on its back-to-basics strategy, with good progress made in developing the division's customer franchise during 2011. The bank continued to re-energise the franchise through new branding, product development and competitive pricing.

To strengthen retail alignment and improve efficiencies, US R&C formed a consolidated Consumer Banking division by combining management of the retail banking franchise with the consumer lending division during H2 2011. This continued focus on alignment is expected to further contribute to the improved penetration of loan products to deposit households, which has already increased in ten consecutive quarters. The penetration of on-line banking customers, a key indicator of customer retention, also continued to improve during 2011.

To enhance the customer experience, in Q4 2011, Consumer Banking introduced four core Customer Commitments, built around feedback received from customers in Massachusetts. In Q1 2012, the Commitments will be rolled out to Citizens Financial Group's (CFG's) entire branch footprint.

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

Key points (continued)

Significant organisational changes and investment in Commercial Banking, including unification under the RBS Citizens brand, has been important in positioning the business for growth. The enhanced sales training programme for managers and sales colleagues in this business has begun to deliver results with both higher credit balances and increased client satisfaction. External researchers TNS awarded Citizens the second highest score in relationship manager satisfaction among its competitors for 2011.

Risk management was also an important focus for 2011 and in Q4 2011, CFG's Board of directors approved a new formal risk appetite statement aimed at ensuring sustained predictable earnings and further strengthening the control environment.

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit increased to \$769 million from \$473 million, an increase of \$296 million, or 63%. Excluding a credit of \$113 million related to changes to the defined benefit plan in Q2 2010, operating profit increased \$409 million, or 114%, substantially driven by lower impairments and improved income.
  • The macroeconomic operating environment remained challenging, with low rates, high unemployment, a soft housing market, sluggish consumer activity and the continuing impact of legislative changes including the Durbin Amendment in the Dodd-Frank Act which became effective on 1 October 2011.
  • The Durbin Amendment lowers the allowable interchange on debit transactions to \$0.23-\$0.24 per transaction. The current annualised impact of the Durbin Amendment is estimated at \$150 million.
  • Net interest income was up \$80 million, or 3%. Net interest margin improved by 21 basis points to 3.06% reflecting changes in deposit mix, continued discipline around deposit pricing and the positive impact from the balance sheet restructuring programme carried out during Q3 2010 combined with strong commercial loan growth, partially offset by run-off of consumer loans.
  • Non-interest income was up \$20 million, or 1%, primarily driven by higher account and transaction fees, partially offset by the impact of legislative changes on debit card and deposit fees.
  • Excluding the defined benefit plan credit of \$113 million in Q2 2010, total expenses were down \$31 million, or 1%, due to a number of factors including lower Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) deposit insurance levies, and lower litigation and marketing costs, partially offset by higher regulatory costs.
  • Impairment losses declined by \$278 million, or 35%, largely reflecting an improved credit environment slightly offset by higher impairments related to securities. Loan impairments as a percent of loans and advances improved to 0.5% from 1.0%.
  • Customer deposits were up 1% with particularly strong growth achieved in checking balances. Consumer checking balances grew by 6%, while small business checking balances grew by 5% over the year.

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • US Retail & Commercial posted an operating profit of \$249 million compared with \$185 million in the prior quarter, an increase of \$64 million, or 35%, driven by a decrease in expenses and impairments, partially offset by lower non-interest income.
  • Net interest income was in line with the previous quarter. Loans and advances were up \$2 billion, or 3%, from the previous quarter partially due to strong growth in commercial loan volumes partly offset by some continued planned run-off of long term fixed rate consumer products.
  • Non-interest income was down \$9 million, or 2%, reflecting lower debit card fees impacted by legislative changes within the Durbin Amendment.
  • Total expenses were down \$39 million, or 4%, reflecting lower mortgage servicing rights impairment and FDIC deposit insurance levies.
  • Impairment losses were down \$35 million, or 26%, reflecting lower impairments related to securities. Loan impairments as a percent of loans and advances improved slightly to 0.4% from 0.5%.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit increased to \$249 million from \$102 million, an increase of \$147 million, or 144%, substantially driven by lower impairments and improved income.
  • Net interest income was up \$38 million, or 5%. Net interest margin improved by 3 basis points to 3.03% reflecting changes in deposit mix and continued discipline around deposit pricing combined with strong commercial loan growth partially offset by run-off of consumer loans.
  • Non-interest income was up \$39 million, or 11%, reflecting securities gains. Higher account and transaction fees as a result of new pricing initiatives, were offset by lower debit card fees.
  • Total expenses were broadly in line with Q4 2010 reflecting a positive movement on the valuation of mortgage servicing rights in Q4 2010, not repeated in Q4 2011, and higher costs related to regulatory challenges, offset by lower litigation costs.
  • Impairment losses declined by \$67 million, or 40%, reflecting an improved credit environment. Loan impairments as a percentage of loans and advances improved to 0.4% from 0.8%.

Global Banking & Markets

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income from banking activities 719 1,276 174 174 245
Net fees and commissions receivable 1,281 1,495 239 289 425
Income from trading activities 3,736 4,982 460 602 893
Other operating income (net of related
funding costs) 205 159 39 34 24
Non-interest income 5,222 6,636 738 925 1,342
Total income 5,941 7,912 912 1,099 1,587
Direct expenses
- staff (2,454) (2,693) (459) (527) (554)
- other (928) (842) (240) (243) (292)
Indirect expenses (949) (862) (240) (249) (219)
(4,331) (4,397) (939) (1,019) (1,065)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses 1,610 3,515 (27) 80 522
Impairment (losses)/recoveries (49) (151) (68) 32 5
Operating profit/(loss) 1,561 3,364 (95) 112 527
Analysis of income by product
Rates - money markets (212) 65 (78) (19) (65)
Rates - flow 1,668 1,985 465 113 413
Currencies 868 870 183 227 178
Credit and asset backed markets 1,424 2,215 9 93 433
Fixed income & currencies 3,748 5,135 579 414 959
Portfolio management and origination 1,343 1,777 277 305 396
Equities 781 933 158 114 183
Total excluding fair value derivative liabilities 5,872 7,845 1,014 833 1,538
Fair value derivative liabilities 69 67 (102) 266 49
Total income 5,941 7,912 912 1,099 1,587
Analysis of impairments by sector
Manufacturing and infrastructure (139) 51 (62) - (2)
Property and construction (42) (74) (25) (11) (10)
Banks and financial institutions 54 (177) (11) 44 (54)
Other 78 49 30 (1) 71
Total impairment (losses)/recoveries (49) (151) (68) 32 5
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements)
0.1% 0.2% 0.4% (0.2%) -

Global Banking & Markets (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Performance ratios
Return on equity (1) 7.7% 16.6% (1.8%) 2.3% 10.2%
Net interest margin 0.73% 1.05% 0.76% 0.71% 0.93%
Cost:income ratio 73% 56% 103% 93% 67%
Compensation ratio (2) 41% 34% 50% 48% 35%
Compensation ratio - continuing business 39% 32%
31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
Change 31 December
2010
£bn
Change
Capital and balance sheet
Loans and advances to customers 74.7 73.1 2% 75.1 (1%)
Loans and advances to banks 29.9 34.1 (12%) 44.5 (33%)
Reverse repos 100.5 100.6 - 94.8 6%
Securities 111.0 124.5 (11%) 119.2 (7%)
Cash and eligible bills 28.1 33.3 (16%) 38.8 (28%)
Other 17.5 33.0 (47%) 24.3 (28%)
Total third party assets (excluding derivatives
mark-to-market) 361.7 398.6 (9%) 396.7 (9%)
Net derivative assets (after netting) 37.0 45.6 (19%) 37.4 (1%)
Customer deposits (excluding repos) 37.4 39.5 (5%) 38.9 (4%)
Risk elements in lending 1.8 1.6 13% 1.7 6%
Risk-weighted assets 151.1 134.3 13% 146.9 3%

Notes:

(1) Divisional return on equity is based on divisional operating profit after tax divided by average notional equity (based on 10% of the monthly average of divisional RWAs, adjusted for capital deductions).

(2) Compensation ratio is based on staff costs as a percentage of total income.

Key points

During Q4 2011, the market environment continued to weaken. Market volatility remained elevated and liquidity depressed as markets reacted to developments in the European sovereign debt crisis. Deal flow was weak reflecting investor pessimism about the outlook for the world economy. Throughout the year, GBM continued to deliver core products and innovative solutions to clients, while also focusing on management of its cost base and on tight control of its risk positions.

On 12 January 2012 the Group announced changes to its wholesale banking operations in light of a changed market and regulatory environment. The changes will see the reorganisation of RBS's wholesale businesses into 'Markets' and 'International Banking' and the exit and downsizing of selected activities. The changes will ensure the wholesale businesses continue to deliver against the Group's strategy.

2011 compared with 2010

• Operating profit fell by 54%, from £3,364 million for 2010 to £1,561 million for 2011, driven by a 25% decrease in revenue. The year was characterised by volatile and deteriorating credit markets, especially during the second half of the year when the European sovereign debt crisis drove a sharp widening in credit spreads.

Key points (continued)

2011 compared with 2010 (continued)

  • Due to this deterioration in the markets both the Rates and Credit businesses suffered significantly, and income from trading activities fell from £4,982 million in 2010, to £3,736 million in 2011. The heightened volatility increased risk aversion amongst clients and limited opportunities for revenue generation in the secondary markets.
  • Portfolio Management and Origination revenue also fell sharply as clients curtailed new activity and continued to repay existing debt.
  • Equities revenue fell 16% as wider market conditions reduced investor confidence, resulting in lower client issuance and reduced activity in the secondary markets.
  • Total costs fell by 2% despite increased investment costs in 2011, which included a programme to meet new regulatory requirements. The compensation ratio in GBM excluding discontinued businesses was 39%, driven by fixed salary costs and prior year deferred awards. Variable compensation accrued in the first half of the year were reduced in the second half of the year, leaving the 2011 variable compensation awards 58% lower than 2010, compared with a 54% fall in operating profit, as detailed on page 49.
  • Third party assets fell from £396.7 billion in 2010 to £361.7 billion in 2011 as a result of lower levels of activity and careful management of balance sheet exposures.
  • A 3% increase in risk-weighted assets reflected the impact of significant regulatory changes, with a £21 billion uplift as a result of CRD III, largely offset by the impact of the division's focus on risk management.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • An operating loss of £95 million was driven by a swing in the fair value of GBM's own derivative liabilities (FVDL) of £368 million, due to improving credit spreads (similar to fair value of own debt movements), partially offset by a movement of £235 million in counterparty exposure management (CEM) (positive movement of £20 million in Q4 2011 versus a negative movement of £215 million in Q3 2011).
  • Excluding the movements in FVDL and CEM, revenue decreased by 5%, to £994 million compared with £1,048 million in Q3 2011, as the market environment remained challenging for a number of businesses:
  • Rates Money Markets continued to record negative revenue as the cost of the division's funding activities more than offset the revenue generated by the client facing business.
  • Rates Flow showed some recovery from a weak Q3 2011 largely driven by a turnaround in counterparty exposure management activities. Trading conditions for the underlying business remained difficult.
  • Currencies declined on weaker options performance. The spot FX business continued to perform consistently well.
  • Credit and Asset Backed Markets continued to incur losses in the flow credit business, albeit at a lower level than prior quarter. Earnings from asset backed products were also down, reflecting increased risk aversion in both GBM and the wider market.
  • Equities revenue increased from a very weak Q3 2011, although client activity remained subdued.
  • The fall in Portfolio Management and Origination reflected exceptional gains from credit hedging activity in Q3 2011. Origination and loan income remained broadly flat; client activity, especially in EMEA, was weak.

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011 (continued)

  • Total costs fell £80 million driven by reductions in headcount and a reduction in variable compensation accrued during the first half of the year, while a range of other cost saving initiatives were partially offset by higher legal costs. The compensation ratio rose compared with the prior quarter due to lower levels of revenue earned.
  • Impairments of £68 million resulted from a small number of corporate provisions.
  • Third party assets were driven £37 billion lower during Q4 2011, and activity was managed carefully amidst the volatile credit environment. Further reductions in the funded balance sheet to circa £300 billion are targeted to take place over the up to three year implementation period of the wholesale business restructuring.
  • Risk-weighted assets increased by 13% to £151 billion as CRD III regulations were implemented on the last day of Q4 2011, resulting in an increase of £21 billion. Excluding the impact of this regulatory change, risk-weighted assets remained tightly controlled.
  • The negative return on equity in the quarter was driven by the significant fall in revenue. The impact of the increase in risk-weighted assets was minimal as average risk-weighted assets remained low across the quarter.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • The operating loss of £95 million in Q4 2011 compares with an operating profit of £527 million in Q4 2010. The deterioration in performance was due to the sharp decline in revenue, reflecting the difficult credit environment and low levels of investor confidence.
  • Rates Flow benefited from a favourable counter party credit development. Excluding the impact of this, the business weakened amidst heightened market volatility, especially relating to sovereign bond valuations.
  • Earnings from Credit and Asset Backed Markets fell sharply. Losses on flow credit trading contrasted with a gain in Q4 2010 and gains on asset backed products were constrained in Q4 2011 as both the market and the business became increasingly risk averse.
  • The fall in Portfolio Management and Origination reflected limited client activity, especially in EMEA, and the net repayment of existing debt during the year.
  • The decline in total costs reflected significantly lower current year variable compensation, the realisation of benefits from a number of cost saving initiatives and the non-repeat of a significant legal expense incurred during Q4 2010.

RBS Insurance

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Income statement
Earned premiums 4,221 4,459 1,043 1,057 1,100
Reinsurers' share (252) (148) (71) (67) (40)
Net premium income 3,969 4,311 972 990 1,060
Fees and commissions (400) (410) (161) (83) (133)
Instalment income 138 159 33 35 38
Other income 100 179 19 19 70
Total income 3,807 4,239 863 961 1,035
Net claims (2,772) (3,932) (589) (695) (898)
Underwriting profit 1,035 307 274 266 137
Staff expenses (288) (287) (75) (67) (72)
Other expenses (333) (325) (79) (88) (77)
Total direct expenses (621) (612) (154) (155) (149)
Indirect expenses (225) (267) (55) (60) (74)
(846) (879) (209) (215) (223)
Technical result 189 (572) 65 51 (86)
Investment income 265 277 60 72 77
Operating profit/(loss) 454 (295) 125 123 (9)
Analysis of income by product
Personal lines motor excluding broker
- own brands 1,742 1,825 425 439 468
- partnerships 209 343 34 45 91
Personal lines home excluding broker
- own brands 471 474 119 117 120
- partnerships 363 388 81 94 100
Personal lines rescue and other excluding
broker
- own brands 181 192 46 43 49
- partnerships 125 155 (16) 47 2
Commercial 315 314 81 80 76
International 340 316 89 91 82
Other (1) 61 232 4 5 47
Total income 3,807 4,239 863 961 1,035

RBS Insurance (continued)

Key metrics

Year ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
In-force policies (000s)
Personal lines motor excluding broker
- own brands 3,787 4,162 3,787 3,832 4,162
- partnerships 320 645 320 388 645
Personal lines home excluding broker
- own brands 1,811 1,797 1,811 1,832 1,797
- partnerships 2,497 2,530 2,497 2,504 2,530
Personal lines rescue and other excluding
broker
- own brands 1,844 1,966 1,844 1,886 1,966
- partnerships 7,307 7,497 7,307 7,714 7,497
Commercial 422 352 422 410 352
International 1,387 1,082 1,387 1,357 1,082
Other (1) 1 644 1 44 644
Total in-force policies (2) 19,376 20,675 19,376 19,967 20,675
Gross written premium (£m)
Personal lines motor excluding broker
- own brands 1,584 1,647 348 438 370
- partnerships 137 257 28 36 59
Personal lines home excluding broker
- own brands 474 478 112 133 116
- partnerships 549 556 132 144 137
Personal lines rescue and other excluding
broker
- own brands 174 178 40 48 41
- partnerships 174 159 44 48 39
Commercial 435 397 102 101 96
International 570 425 142 125 123
Other (1) 1 201 2 4 7
Total gross written premium 4,098 4,298 950 1,077 988

RBS Insurance (continued)

Key metrics (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Return on regulatory capital (3) 11.3% (7.9%) 12.5% 12.3% (0.9%)
Return on tangible equity (4) 10.3% (6.8%) 11.0% 11.0% (0.8%)
Loss ratio (5) 70% 91% 61% 70% 85%
Commission ratio (6) 10% 10% 17% 8% 13%
Expense ratio (7) 20% 20% 22% 20% 23%
Combined operating ratio (8) 100% 121% 100% 98% 121%
Balance sheet
Total insurance reserves - (£m) (9) 7,284 7,545 7,643

Notes:

(1) 'Other' predominantly consists of the personal lines broker business.

(2) Total in-force policies include travel and creditor policies sold through RBS Group. These comprise travel policies included in bank accounts e.g. Royalties Gold Account, and creditor policies sold with bank products including mortgage, loan and card payment protection.

(3) Return on regulatory capital required is based on annualised operating profit/(loss) after tax divided by average notional regulatory equity.

(4) Return on tangible equity is based on annualised operating profit/(loss) after tax divided by average tangible equity.

(5) Loss ratio is based on net claims divided by net premium income.

(6) Commission ratio is based on fees and commissions divided by gross written premium.

(7) Expense ratio is based on expenses divided by gross written premium.

(8) Combined operating ratio is the sum of the loss, commission and expense ratios.

(9) Consists of general and life insurance liabilities, unearned premium reserve and liability adequacy reserve.

Key points

RBS Insurance continues to make good progress ahead of its divestment from the Group. Q4 2011 operating profit of £125 million was the fifth successive quarter of year-on-year improvement. Operating profit of £454 million for 2011 shows a return to full year profitability and represents close to a £750 million turnaround from 2010. These results demonstrate the success of the first phase of management's transformation plan - to return to profit in 2011. The full year combined operating ratio improved to 100% (2010 - 121%) with a full year return on equity of 10.3% compared with a negative return of 6.8% in 2010.

The second phase of the RBS Insurance transformation plan, to build competitive advantage, is underway and tangible benefits are already being delivered. All new Churchill, Direct Line and Privilege motor claims, as well as all new Churchill home claims, are now being processed through a new claims management system. Within motor, the rollout of a new rating engine and new pricing tools ensured more accurate and tailored pricing with the aim of generating greater value from RBS Insurance's multi-brand, multi-distribution strategy.

RBS Insurance (continued)

Key points (continued)

As part of the plan to build competitive advantage, the rationalisation of occupied sites continues, with 15 site exits by the end of 2011. The consolidation of the four UK general insurance underwriting entities within the RBS Insurance Group was successfully completed in December 2011. All UK general insurance business is now written through one underwriter with the aim of improving operational and capital efficiency.

Marking a significant new partnership, RBS Insurance signed a five-year contract with Sainsbury's Finance in 2011 to provide underwriting, sales, service and claims management for its car insurance customers. Following the successful launch and development of the car insurance partnership, a further contract was signed early in 2012 to provide home insurance for Sainsbury's customers. Building on RBS Insurance's established successful relationship with Nationwide Building Society, a deal was concluded to extend its provision of home insurance until the end of 2015. RBS Insurance is also concluding terms with RBS Group's UK Retail bank on the details of a five-year agreement for the continued provision of general insurance products post separation. The term would commence from the point of initial divestment.

While overall gross written premium fell by 5% in 2011, it increased by 10% in Commercial, which includes NIG, the commercial broker business, and Direct Line for Business, the direct SME insurer. A new brand identity was unveiled for NIG and work continued to improve its product offering and service to brokers. Direct Line for Business continued to develop well.

RBS Insurance's international division showed strong growth in gross written premiums primarily in Italy, assisted by the first full year of its sales agreements with FGA Capital, a joint venture between Fiat and Credit Agricole. The German business also showed good growth following improvements in the second half of 2011 to its direct and partnership business, including strengthening its relationship with Renault.

Ahead of the planned divestment in the second half of 2012, RBS Insurance has begun separating its activities and operations from RBS Group. Its corporate functions have been strengthened, arm's length agreements are under discussion with the Group where appropriate, a new corporate brand, Direct Line Group was announced on 15 February 2012 and a new risk and control framework has been implemented, in readiness for standalone status.

Overall, RBS Insurance has powerful brands, improved earnings, a robust balance sheet and is executing the second phase of its transformation plan to rebuild competitive advantage.

Key points (continued)

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating profit rose by £749 million in 2011, principally due to the non repeat of the bodily injury reserve strengthening in 2010, de-risking of the motor book, exit of certain business segments and more benign weather in 2011.
  • Gross written premium fell £200 million, 5%, as the business continued to drive improved profitability through reduced volumes in unattractive segments. This was partially offset by growth in Commercial and International.
  • Total income fell £432 million, 10%, following the exit of personal lines broker, a decline in premiums reflecting reduced motor volumes and higher reinsurance costs to reduce the risk profile of the book.
  • Net claims fell £1,160 million, 30%, due to the non recurrence of bodily injury reserve strengthening in 2010, actions taken to de-risk the book, the exit of certain business segments and more benign weather in 2011.
  • Total direct expenses rose by £9 million principally driven by project activity to support the transformation plan.
  • Investment income fell £12 million, 4%, reflecting decreased yields on the portfolio in 2011, partially offset by higher realised gains.
  • At the end of 2011, RBS Insurance's investment portfolios comprised primarily cash, gilts and investment grade bonds. Within the UK portfolio, £8.9 billion, and the International portfolio, £827 million, there was no exposure to sovereign debt issued by Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain.
  • Total in-force policies fell 6% in the year due to planned de-risking of the motor book and the exiting of certain other segments and partnerships, including personal lines broker.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Operating profit of £125 million rose by £2 million, 2%, compared with Q3 2011 as lower income was offset by a decrease in net claims, partially reflecting more benign weather.
  • Gross written premium of £950 million fell £127 million, 12%, as a result of seasonality and a reduction of in-force policies following continued improvements to the risk profile of the motor book. This was partially offset by growth in International, largely due to the partnership with FGA Capital.
  • Total income of £863 million fell £98 million, 10%, due to lower volumes and higher commissions payable, including £57 million to UK Retail.
  • Net claims fell £106 million to £589 million partially reflecting a £57 million release of claims reserves relating to creditor insurance. This release was matched by the payment to UK Retail within fees and commissions. Excluding the release and commission payment, the loss ratio would have been 6 percentage points higher and commission ratio 6 percentage points lower.
  • Total direct expenses of £154 million were broadly flat.
  • The technical result rose £14 million to £65 million whilst the combined operating ratio increased by 2 percentage points to 100%.

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011 (continued)

  • Investment income of £60 million was down by £12 million, 17%, due to lower disposal gains.
  • Total in-force policies fell by 3% driven by the planned de-risking of the motor book and the exit of certain business segments and partnerships, partially offset by growth in International and Commercial.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Operating profit rose by £134 million due to a significant turnaround in the technical result, driven by a 34% decrease in net claims.
  • Gross written premium fell £38 million, 4%, as a result of reduced in-force policies aimed at improving the risk profile of the book, partially offset by growth in International.
  • Total income fell £172 million, 17%, reflecting lower motor volumes and higher fees and commissions payable.
  • Net claims were down by £309 million, 34%, through a combination of improved risk mix, more benign weather in 2011, and the exit of certain business segments.
  • Total direct expenses increased by £5 million, 3%, due to the transfer of certain Group services to RBS Insurance in preparation for separation.
  • Investment income was down £17 million, or 22%, due to lower disposal gains and decreased yields.
  • Total in-force policies reduced by 6% principally due to the planned de-risking of the motor book and the exiting of certain other segments and partnerships, including personal lines broker, partially offset by growth in International.

Central items

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Central items not allocated 156 577 85 67 115

Funding and operating costs have been allocated to operating divisions based on direct service usage, the requirement for market funding and other appropriate drivers where services span more than one division.

Residual unallocated items relate to volatile corporate items that do not naturally reside within a division.

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

  • Central items not allocated represented a credit of £156 million in 2011, a decline of £421 million compared with 2010.
  • 2010 benefitted from c£300 million of accounting gains on hybrid securities, c£150 million of which was amortised during 2011.
  • A VAT recovery of £176 million in 2010 compared with £85 million recovered in 2011.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

• Central items not allocated represented a credit of £85 million in the quarter, an increase of £18 million compared with Q3 2011.

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

• Central items not allocated represented a credit of £85 million, £30 million lower than Q4 2010.

Non-Core

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Income statement
Net interest income
881 1,959 129 164 419
Net fees and commissions (38) 471 (47) (85) 166
Loss from trading activities
Insurance net premium income
Other operating income
(721)
286
(31)
702
(407)
9
(246)
44
(152)
181
- rental income
- other (1)
743
55
752
(889)
163
(151)
182
(13)
218
(511)
Non-interest income 325 1,005 (433) (118) (98)
Total income/(loss) 1,206 2,964 (304) 46 321
Direct expenses
- staff
- operating lease depreciation
- other
Indirect expenses
(375)
(347)
(256)
(317)
(731)
(452)
(573)
(500)
(82)
(91)
(57)
(84)
(93)
(82)
(62)
(86)
(105)
(108)
(141)
(127)
(1,295) (2,256) (314) (323) (481)
Operating (loss)/profit before other operating
charges and impairment losses
Insurance net claims
Impairment losses
(89)
(195)
(3,919)
708
(737)
(5,476)
(618)
61
(751)
(277)
(38)
(682)
(160)
(245)
(1,211)
Operating loss (4,203) (5,505) (1,308) (997) (1,616)

Note:

(1) Includes losses on disposals (year ended 31 December 2011 - £127 million; year ended 31 December 2010 - £504 million; quarter ended 31 December 2011 - £36 million; quarter ended 30 September 2011 - £37 million; quarter ended 31 December 2010 - £247 million).

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Analysis of income/(loss)by business
Banking & portfolios 1,474 1,673 (168) 214 157
International businesses 419 778 92 101 84
Markets (687) 513 (228) (269) 80
Total income/(loss) 1,206 2,964 (304) 46 321
Loss from trading activities
Monoline exposures (670) (5) (243) (230) (57)
Credit derivative product companies (85) (139) (19) (5) (38)
Asset-backed products (1) 29 235 (22) (51) 33
Other credit exotics (175) 77 (8) (7) 21
Equities (11) (17) 1 (11) 11
Banking book hedges (1) (82) (36) 73 (70)
Other (2) 192 (100) (80) (15) (52)
(721) (31) (407) (246) (152)
Impairment losses
Banking & portfolios 3,833 5,328 714 656 1,258
International businesses 82 200 30 17 59
Markets 4 (52) 7 9 (106)
Total impairment losses 3,919 5,476 751 682 1,211
Loan impairment charge as % of gross
customer loans and advances
(excluding reverse repurchase
agreements) (3)
Banking & portfolios 4.9% 5.0% 3.6% 2.8% 4.6%
International businesses 3.7% 4.4% 5.3% 2.7% 5.2%
Markets (3.0%) 0.2% (8.8%) (0.4%) (38.4%)
Total 4.8% 4.9% 3.7% 2.8% 4.4%

Notes:

(1) Asset-backed products include super senior asset-backed structures and other asset-backed products.

(2) Includes profits in RBS Sempra Commodities JV (year ended 31 December 2011 - £4 million; year ended 31 December 2010 - £372 million; quarter ended 31 December 2011 - £1 million; quarter ended 30 September 2011 - £1 million; quarter ended 31 December 2010 - £19 million).

(3) Includes disposal groups.

Key metrics

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
2010
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Performance ratios
Net interest margin 0.64% 1.16% 0.31% 0.43% 1.09%
Cost:income ratio 107% 76% nm nm 150%
Adjusted cost:income ratio 128% 101% nm nm nm
31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£bn £bn Change £bn Change
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets (excluding
derivatives) (1) 93.7 105.1 (11%) 137.9 (32%)
Total third party assets (including
derivatives) (1) 104.7 117.7 (11%) 153.9 (32%)
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (2) 79.4 88.9 (11%) 108.4 (27%)
Customer deposits (2) 3.5 4.3 (19%) 6.7 (48%)
Risk elements in lending (2) 24.0 24.6 (2%) 23.4 3%
Risk-weighted assets (1) 93.3 117.9 (21%) 153.7 (39%)

nm = not meaningful

Notes:

(1) Includes RBS Sempra Commodities JV (31 December 2011 third party assets, excluding derivatives (TPAs) £0.1 billion, RWAs £1.6 billion; 30 September 2011 TPAs £0.3 billion, RWAs £1.7 billion; 31 December 2010 TPAs £6.7 billion, RWAs £4.3 billion).

(2) Excludes disposal groups.

31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
31 December
2010
£bn
Gross customer loans and advances
Banking & portfolios 77.3 86.6 104.9
International businesses 2.0 2.2 3.5
Markets 0.1 0.1 -
79.4 88.9 108.4
Risk-weighted assets
Banking & portfolios 64.8 66.6 83.5
International businesses 4.1 4.5 5.6
Markets 24.4 46.8 64.6
93.3 117.9 153.7
Third party assets (excluding derivatives)
Banking & portfolios 81.3 91.0 113.9
International businesses 2.9 3.3 4.4
Markets 9.5 10.8 19.6
93.7 105.1 137.9

Third party assets (excluding derivatives)

Year ended 31 December 2011

31 December
2010
£bn
Run-off
£bn
Disposals/
restructuring
£bn
Drawings/
£bn
roll overs Impairments
£bn
FX
£bn
31 December
2011
£bn
Commercial real estate 42.6 (5.6) (2.4) 0.7 (3.4) (0.4) 31.5
Corporate 59.8 (8.5) (11.3) 2.5 (0.1) (0.2) 42.2
SME 3.7 (1.6) - 0.1 (0.1) - 2.1
Retail 9.0 (1.1) (1.4) - (0.3) (0.1) 6.1
Other 2.5 (0.6) - - - - 1.9
Markets 13.6 (2.9) (1.8) 1.0 - (0.1) 9.8
Total (excluding derivatives)
Markets - RBS Sempra
131.2 (20.3) (16.9) 4.3 (3.9) (0.8) 93.6
Commodities JV 6.7 (1.3) (5.0) - - (0.3) 0.1
Total (1) 137.9 (21.6) (21.9) 4.3 (3.9) (1.1) 93.7

Quarter ended 31 December 2011

30 September Disposals/ Drawings/ 31 December
2011 Run-off restructuring roll overs Impairments FX 2011
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
Commercial real estate 35.3 (1.8) (1.1) 0.1 (0.6) (0.4) 31.5
Corporate 46.9 (1.6) (3.6) 0.6 (0.1) - 42.2
SME 2.4 (0.3) - 0.1 (0.1) - 2.1
Retail 7.4 (0.2) (1.1) - - - 6.1
Other 1.9 - - - - - 1.9
Markets 10.9 (0.2) (1.0) - - 0.1 9.8
Total (excluding derivatives) 104.8 (4.1) (6.8) 0.8 (0.8) (0.3) 93.6
Markets - RBS Sempra
Commodities JV 0.3 - (0.2) - - - 0.1
Total (1) 105.1 (4.1) (7.0) 0.8 (0.8) (0.3) 93.7

Quarter ended 30 September 2011

30 June Disposals/ Drawings/ 30 September
2011 Run-off restructuring roll overs Impairments FX 2011
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
Commercial real estate (2) 36.6 0.3 (0.6) 0.2 (0.5) (0.7) 35.3
Corporate (2) 50.4 (2.4) (1.3) 0.5 - (0.3) 46.9
SME 2.7 (0.3) - - - - 2.4
Retail 8.0 (0.3) (0.3) - (0.1) 0.1 7.4
Other 2.3 (0.4) - - - - 1.9
Markets 11.5 (0.9) (0.4) 0.6 - 0.1 10.9
Total (excluding derivatives) 111.5 (4.0) (2.6) 1.3 (0.6) (0.8) 104.8
Markets - RBS Sempra
Commodities JV 1.1 (0.5) (0.3) - - - 0.3
Total (1) 112.6 (4.5) (2.9) 1.3 (0.6) (0.8) 105.1

Notes:

(1) Disposals of £0.2 billion have been signed as at 31 December 2011 but are pending completion (30 September 2011 - £1 billion; 31 December 2010 - £12 billion).

(2) Business restructuring in Q3 2011 resulted in third party assets of £1 billion transferring from Corporate to Commercial Real Estate resulting in run-off totalling £0.3 billion in Q3 2011.

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Impairment losses by donating division
and sector
UK Retail
Mortgages 5 5 - 1 1
Personal (27) 8 (28) 1 2
Total UK Retail (22) 13 (28) 2 3
UK Corporate
Manufacturing and infrastructure 76 26 26 3 5
Property and construction 224 437 83 92 103
Transport 52 3 6 - (20)
Banking and financial institutions 5 69 1 - 51
Lombard 75 129 20 12 50
Other 96 166 21 18 50
Total UK Corporate 528 830 157 125 239
Ulster Bank
Mortgages - 42 - - -
Commercial real estate
- investment 609 630 151 74 206
- development 1,552 1,759 77 162 596
Other corporate 173 251 15 45 (19)
Other EMEA 15 52 2 2 6
Total Ulster Bank 2,349 2,734 245 283 789
US Retail & Commercial
Auto and consumer 58 82 7 14 37
Cards (9) 23 1 - 3
SBO/home equity 201 277 33 57 51
Residential mortgages 16 4 2 4 (1)
Commercial real estate 40 185 14 (4) 31
Commercial and other (3) 17 7 (1) 2
Total US Retail & Commercial 303 588 64 70 123
Global Banking & Markets
Manufacturing and infrastructure 57 (290) 42 23 15
Property and construction 752 1,296 241 189 176
Transport (3) 33 10 (6) 24
Telecoms, media and technology 68 9 18 27 (23)
Banking and financial institutions (98) 196 (31) (29) 19
Other (20) 14 25 (1) (163)
Total Global Banking & Markets 756 1,258 305 203 48
Other
Wealth 1 51 - 1 -
Global Transaction Services 1 - 4 - 7
Central items 3 2 4 (2) 2
Total Other 5 53 8 (1) 9
Total impairment losses 3,919 5,476 751 682 1,211
31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
31 December
2010
£bn
Gross loans and advances to customers (excluding reverse
repurchase agreements) by donating division and sector
UK Retail
Mortgages 1.4 1.4 1.6
Personal 0.1 0.3 0.4
Total UK Retail 1.5 1.7 2.0
UK Corporate
Manufacturing and infrastructure 0.1 0.1 0.3
Property and construction 5.9 6.5 11.4
Transport 4.5 4.8 5.4
Banking and financial institutions 0.6 0.5 0.8
Lombard 1.0 1.2 1.7
Other 7.5 7.5 7.4
Total UK Corporate 19.6 20.6 27.0
Ulster Bank
Commercial real estate
- investment 3.9 3.9 4.0
- development 8.5 8.7 8.4
Other corporate
Other EMEA
1.6
0.4
1.7
0.4
2.2
0.4
Total Ulster Bank 14.4 14.7 15.0
US Retail & Commercial
Auto and consumer 0.8 1.9 2.6
Cards 0.1 0.1 0.1
SBO/home equity 2.5 2.6 3.2
Residential mortgages 0.6 0.6 0.7
Commercial real estate 1.0 1.1 1.5
Commercial and other 0.4 0.5 0.5
Total US Retail & Commercial 5.4 6.8 8.6
Global Banking & Markets
Manufacturing and infrastructure 6.6 7.0 8.7
Property and construction 15.3 17.8 19.6
Transport 3.2 3.9 5.5
Telecoms, media and technology 0.7 0.9 0.9
Banking and financial institutions 5.6 8.3 12.0
Other 6.8 6.7 9.0
Total Global Banking & Markets 38.2 44.6 55.7
Other
Wealth 0.2 0.3 0.4
Global Transaction Services 0.2 0.3 0.3
RBS Insurance - - 0.2
Central items (0.2) (0.3) (1.0)
Total Other 0.2 0.3 (0.1)
Gross loans and advances to customers (excluding reverse
repurchase agreements) 79.3 88.7 108.2

Key points

Non-Core third party assets fell to £94 billion, below the revised year end target of £96 billion and significantly ahead of the original guidance of £118 billion. Further reductions will include the sale of RBS Aviation Capital for £4.7 billion, which was signed in January 2012. Since the division was formed in 2009, the reduction totals £164 billion, or 64%. By the end of 2011, the Non-Core funded balance sheet equated to less than 10% of the Group funded balance sheet compared with 21% when the division was created.

The division focused on reducing capital intensive trading assets, with activity including the restructuring of monoline exposures, which, at a cost of c.£600 million in 2011, achieved a reduction of £32 billion in risk-weighted assets.

An operating loss of £4,203 million for 2011 was £1,302 million lower than 2010. Income declined by £1,758 million reflecting continued divestment, including business and country exits. The decrease was partially offset by a reduction in expenses of £961 million, largely driven by the fall in headcount. Impairment losses fell by £1,557 million despite ongoing challenges in the real estate and Ulster Bank portfolios.

2011 compared with 2010

  • Operating loss of £4,203 million in 2011 was £1,302 million lower than the loss recorded in 2010. The continued divestment of Non-Core businesses and portfolios has reduced revenue streams as well as the cost base.
  • Losses from trading activities increased by £690 million compared with 2010, principally as a result of the disposal of RBS Sempra Commodities in 2010 and costs incurred as part of the division's focus on reducing capital intensive trading assets and mitigating future regulatory uplifts in risk-weighted assets.
  • Impairment losses fell by £1,557 million despite ongoing challenges in the real estate and Ulster Bank portfolios, reflecting improvements in other asset classes.
  • Third party assets declined by £44 billion (32%) reflecting disposals of £22 billion and run-off of £22 billion.
  • Risk-weighted assets were £60 billion lower than 2010, principally driven by significant disposal activity on trading book assets combined with run-off.
  • Headcount declined by 2,189 (32%) to 4,669 in 2011, largely reflecting the divestment activity in relation to Asia, Non-Core Insurance and RBS Sempra Commodities.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

  • Non-Core continued to reduce the size of its balance sheet, with third party assets declining by £11 billion to £94 billion, driven by disposals of £7 billion and run-off of £4 billion.
  • Risk-weighted assets fell by £25 billion in Q4 2011 primarily reflecting the restructuring of monoline exposures and run-off.
  • The increased operating loss reported in Q4 2011 reflected trading losses associated with the ongoing reduction of capital intensive trading assets and market movements. Additionally, other income losses increased in Q4 2011 as a result of valuation movements of £131 million recorded on equity and asset positions.

Key points (continued)

Q4 2011 compared with Q4 2010

  • Q4 2011 operating loss of £1,308 million was 19% lower than the loss recorded in Q4 2010.
  • Impairments were £460 million lower in Q4 2011 reflecting a reduction in impairments reported in the Ulster Bank portfolio, following substantial provisioning of land development values earlier in 2011.
  • Non-interest income fell principally as a result of trading losses incurred in Q4 2011.
  • Ongoing disposal activity reduced the balance sheet and headcount, resulting in lower net interest income, fees and commissions, net premium income, claims, and expenses.

Condensed consolidated income statement for the period ended 31 December 2011

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Interest receivable 21,410 22,776 5,234 5,371 5,612
Interest payable (8,731) (8,567) (2,160) (2,294) (2,032)
Net interest income 12,679 14,209 3,074 3,077 3,580
Fees and commissions receivable 6,384 8,193 1,590 1,452 2,052
Fees and commissions payable (1,460) (2,211) (573) (304) (449)
Income from trading activities 2,701 4,517 (238) 957 364
Gain on redemption of own debt 255 553 (1) 1 -
Other operating income (excluding insurance
premium income) 4,122 1,479 205 2,384 1,003
Insurance net premium income 4,256 5,128 981 1,036 1,272
Non-interest income 16,258 17,659 1,964 5,526 4,242
Total income 28,937 31,868 5,038 8,603 7,822
Staff costs (8,678) (9,671) (1,993) (2,076) (2,194)
Premises and equipment (2,451) (2,402) (674) (604) (709)
Other administrative expenses (4,931) (3,995) (1,296) (962) (1,048)
Depreciation and amortisation (1,875) (2,150) (513) (485) (546)
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible
assets (91) (10) (91) - (10)
Operating expenses (18,026) (18,228) (4,567) (4,127) (4,507)
Profit before insurance net claims and
impairment losses 10,911 13,640 471 4,476 3,315
Insurance net claims (2,968) (4,783) (529) (734) (1,182)
Impairment losses (8,709) (9,256) (1,918) (1,738) (2,141)
Operating (loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
Tax (charge)/credit (1,250) (634) 186 (791) 3
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations (2,016) (1,033) (1,790) 1,213 (5)
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax 47 (633) 10 6 55
(Loss)/profit for the period (1,969) (1,666) (1,780) 1,219 50
Non-controlling interests (28) 665 (18) 7 (38)
Preference share and other dividends - (124) - - -
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary and
B shareholders (1,997) (1,125) (1,798) 1,226 12
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary and
B share from continuing operations (1.8p) (0.5p) (1.7p) 1.1p -
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary and
B share from continuing operations (1.8p) (0.5p) (1.7p) 1.1p -
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary
and B share from discontinued operations - - - - -
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary
and B shares from discontinued operations - - - - -

In the income statement above, one-off and other items as shown on page 17 are included in the appropriate captions. A reconciliation between the income statement above and the managed view income statement on page 10 is given in Appendix 1 to this announcement.

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period ended 31 December 2011

Year ended
31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
Quarter ended
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
(Loss)/profit for the period (1,969) (1,666) (1,780) 1,219 50
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Available-for-sale financial assets (1) 2,258 (389) (107) 996 (1,132)
Cash flow hedges 1,424 1,454 124 939 (353)
Currency translation
Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit
(440) 81 (117) (22) 34
plans (581) 158 (581) - 158
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
before tax 2,661 1,304 (681) 1,913 (1,293)
Tax (charge)/credit (1,472) (309) (500) (480) 393
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
after tax
1,189 995 (1,181) 1,433 (900)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for
the period
(780) (671) (2,961) 2,652 (850)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income is
attributable to:
Non-controlling interests (24) (197) (12) (6) 52
Preference shareholders - 105 - - -
Paid-in equity holders - 19 - - -
Ordinary and B shareholders (756) (598) (2,949) 2,658 (902)
(780) (671) (2,961) 2,652 (850)

Note:

(1) Analysis provided on page 112.

  • The movement in available-for-sale financial assets reflects net unrealised gains on high quality sovereign bonds.
  • Actuarial losses on defined benefit plans reflect changes in assumptions of £1,017 million, primarily due to a reduction in the real discount rate in the UK and US, partially offset by £436 million net experience gains.
  • The tax charge for the year and Q4 2011 includes £664 million write-off of deferred tax assets in The Netherlands.

Condensed consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2011

31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Assets
Cash and balances at central banks 79,269 78,445 57,014
Net loans and advances to banks 43,870 52,602 57,911
Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing 39,440 48,127 42,607
Loans and advances to banks 83,310 100,729 100,518
Net loans and advances to customers 454,112 485,573 502,748
Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing 61,494 54,132 52,512
Loans and advances to customers
Debt securities
515,606
209,080
539,705
229,657
555,260
217,480
Equity shares 15,183 14,888 22,198
Settlement balances 7,771 21,526 11,605
Derivatives 529,618 572,344 427,077
Intangible assets 14,858 14,744 14,448
Property, plant and equipment 11,868 17,060 16,543
Deferred tax 3,878 4,988 6,373
Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 10,976 10,598 12,576
Assets of disposal groups 25,450 3,044 12,484
Total assets 1,506,867 1,607,728 1,453,576
Liabilities
Bank deposits 69,113 78,370 66,051
Repurchase agreements and stock lending 39,691 36,227 32,739
Deposits by banks 108,804 114,597 98,790
Customer deposits 414,143 433,660 428,599
Repurchase agreements and stock lending 88,812 95,691 82,094
Customer accounts 502,955 529,351 510,693
Debt securities in issue 162,621 194,511 218,372
Settlement balances 7,477 17,983 10,991
Short positions 41,039 48,495 43,118
Derivatives 523,983 561,790 423,967
Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities 23,125 22,938 23,089
Retirement benefit liabilities 2,239 1,855 2,288
Deferred tax 1,945 1,913 2,142
Insurance liabilities 6,312 6,628 6,794
Subordinated liabilities 26,319 26,275 27,053
Liabilities of disposal groups 23,995 2,516 9,428
Total liabilities 1,430,814 1,528,852 1,376,725
Equity
Non-controlling interests 1,234 1,433 1,719
Owners' equity*
Called up share capital 15,318 15,318 15,125
Reserves 59,501 62,125 60,007
Total equity 76,053 78,876 76,851
Total liabilities and equity 1,506,867 1,607,728 1,453,576
* Owners' equity attributable to:
Ordinary and B shareholders 70,075 72,699 70,388
Other equity owners 4,744 4,744 4,744
74,819 77,443 75,132

Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet

Total assets of £1,506.9 billion at 31 December 2011 were up £53.3 billion, 4%, compared with 31 December 2010. This principally reflects an increase in cash and balances at central banks and the mark-to-market value of derivatives in Global Banking & Markets, partly offset by decreases in debt securities and equity shares and the continuing disposal and run-off of Non-Core assets.

Cash and balances at central banks were up £22.3 billion, 39%, to £79.3 billion due to improvements in the Group's structured liquidity position during 2011.

Loans and advances to banks decreased by £17.2 billion, 17%, to £83.3 billion. Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing ('reverse repos') were down £3.2 billion, 7%, to £39.4 billion and bank placings declined £14.0 billion, 24%, to £43.9 billion, primarily as a result of the reduction in exposure to eurozone banks and lower cash collateral requirements.

Loans and advances to customers were down £39.7 billion, 7%, to £515.6 billion. Within this, reverse repurchase agreements were up £9.0 billion, 17%, to £61.5 billion. Customer lending decreased by £48.7 billion, 10%, to £454.1 billion or £46.9 billion, 9%, to £473.9 billion before impairment provisions. This reflected the transfer to disposal groups of £19.5 billion of customer balances relating to the UK branch-based businesses. There were also planned reductions in Non-Core of £28.1 billion, together with declines in UK Corporate, £2.9 billion and Ulster Bank, £2.0 billion, together with the effect of exchange rate and other movements, £1.9 billion. These were partially offset by growth in Global Banking & Markets, £0.2 billion, Global Transaction Services, £1.5 billion, Wealth, £0.7 billion, UK Retail, £2.3 billion and US Retail & Commercial, £2.8 billion.

Debt securities were down £8.4 billion, 4%, to £209.1 billion driven mainly by a reduction in holdings of government and financial institution bonds in Global Banking & Markets and Group Treasury.

Equity shares decreased £7.0 billion, 32%, to £15.2 billion which largely reflects the closure of positions to reduce the Group's level of unsecured funding requirements to mitigate the potential impact of unfavourable market conditions.

Settlement balances declined £3.8 billion, 33% to £7.8 billion as a result of decreased customer activity.

Movements in the value of derivative assets up £102.5 billion, 24%, to £529.6 billion, and liabilities, up £100.0 billion, 24%, to £524.0 billion, primarily reflect increases in interest rate contracts as a result of a significant downward shift in interest rates across all major currencies, together with increases in the mark-to-market value of credit derivatives as a result of widening credit spreads and rising credit default swap prices.

Property, plant and equipment declined £4.7 billion, 28%, to £11.9 billion, primarily as a result of the transfer of RBS Aviation Capital's operating lease assets to disposal groups.

Deferred taxation was down £2.5 billion, 39%, to £3.9 billion, largely as a result of the utilisation of brought forward tax losses in the UK.

Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet

The increase in assets and liabilities of disposal groups reflects the reclassification of the UK branchbased businesses and RBS Aviation Capital pending their disposal, partly offset by the completion of disposals, primarily RBS Sempra Commodities JV and certain Non-Core project finance assets.

Deposits by banks increased £10.0 billion, 10%, to £108.8 billion, with higher repurchase agreements and stock lending ('repos'), up £6.9 billion, 21%, to £39.7 billion and higher inter-bank deposits, up £3.1 billion, 5%, to £69.1 billion.

Customer accounts fell £7.7 billion, 2%, to £503.0 billion. Within this, repos increased £6.7 billion, 8%, to £88.8 billion. Excluding repos, customer deposits were down £14.4 billion, 3%, to £414.1 billion, reflecting the transfer to disposal groups of £21.8 billion of customer accounts relating to the UK branch-based businesses. This was partly offset by the net effect of growth in Global Transaction Services, £2.7 billion, UK Corporate, £0.9 billion, UK Retail, £5.8 billion, US Retail & Commercial, £0.6 billion and Wealth, £1.8 billion, together with exchange rate and other movements of £0.3 billion and declines in Global Banking & Markets, £0.8 billion, Ulster Bank, £0.8 billion and Non-Core, £3.1 billion.

Debt securities in issue were down £55.8 billion, 26% to £162.6 billion driven by reductions in the level of certificates of deposit and commercial paper in Global Banking & Markets and Group Treasury.

Settlement balances declined £3.5 billion, 32%, to £7.5 billion and short positions were down £2.1 billion, 5%, to £41.0 billion due to decreased customer activity.

Subordinated liabilities were down £0.7 billion, 3%, to £26.3 billion, primarily reflecting the redemption of £0.2 billion US dollar and £0.4 billion Euro denominated dated loan capital.

The Group's non-controlling interests decreased by £0.5 billion, 28%, to £1.2 billion, primarily due to the disposal of the majority of the RBS Sempra Commodities JV business, £0.4 billion.

Owners' equity decreased by £0.3 billion to £74.8 billion. This was driven by the attributable loss for the year, £2.0 billion, together with the recognition of actuarial losses in respect of the Group's defined benefit pension schemes, net of tax, £0.5 billion and exchange rate and other movements of £0.3 billion. Offsetting these reductions were gains in available-for-sale reserves, £1.1 billion and cash flow hedging reserves, £1.0 billion and the issue of shares under employee share schemes, £0.4 billion.

Average balance sheet

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
%
31 December
2010
%
31 December
2011
%
30 September
2011
%
Average yields, spreads and margins of the
banking business
Gross yield on interest-earning assets of banking business 3.24 3.29 3.13 3.21
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities of banking business (1.63) (1.48) (1.64) (1.69)
Interest spread of banking business 1.61 1.81 1.49 1.52
Benefit from interest-free funds 0.31 0.20 0.35 0.32
Net interest margin of banking business 1.92 2.01 1.84 1.84
Average interest rates
The Group's base rate 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
London inter-bank three month offered rates
- Sterling 0.87 0.70 0.99 0.87
- Eurodollar 0.33 0.34 0.43 0.30
- Euro 1.36 0.75 1.50 1.51

Average balance sheet (continued)

Year ended
31 December 2011
Year ended
31 December 2010
Average
balance
£m
Interest
£m
Rate
%
Average
balance
£m
Interest
£m
Rate
%
Assets
Loans and advances to banks
Loans and advances to
73,825 697 0.94 52,721 592 1.12
customers 466,888 17,979 3.85 508,400 18,843 3.71
Debt securities 121,509 2,749 2.26 128,837 3,258 2.53
Interest-earning assets -
banking business 662,222 21,425 3.24 689,958 22,693 3.29
Trading business 278,975 276,330
Non-interest earning assets 593,958 705,916
Total assets 1,535,155 1,672,204
Memo: Funded assets 1,075,717 1,166,311
Liabilities
Deposits by banks 64,114 977 1.52 81,358 1,330 1.63
Customer accounts 336,365 3,531 1.05 341,641 3,723 1.09
Debt securities in issue 162,208 3,520 2.17 195,976 3,251 1.66
Subordinated liabilities 23,571 598 2.54 29,334 732 2.50
Internal funding of trading
business (49,025) 109 (0.22) (48,315) (181) 0.37
Interest-bearing liabilities -
banking business 537,233 8,735 1.63 599,994 8,855 1.48
Trading business
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
307,564 293,993
- demand deposits 66,404 53,016
- other liabilities 548,915 648,295
Owners' equity 75,039 76,906
Total liabilities and
owners' equity 1,535,155 1,672,204

Notes:

(1) Interest receivable and interest payable on trading assets and liabilities are included in income from trading activities.

(2) Interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for 2010 exclude the Retail bancassurance long-term assets and liabilities, attributable to policyholders, in view of their distinct nature. As a result, net interest income has been increased by £6 million for the year ended 31 December 2010.

(3) Interest receivable has been increased by £8 million (2010 - £11 million) and interest payable has been increased by £150 million (2010 - £30 million decrease) to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss. Related interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have also been adjusted.

(4) Interest receivable has been increased by nil (2010 - £90 million decrease) and interest payable has been decreased by £143 million (2010 - £319 million increase) in respect of non-recurring adjustments.

(5) Interest receivable has been increased by £5 million (2010 - £10 million decrease) and interest payable has been decreased by £3 million (2010 - £1 million) to exclude the RFS Holdings minority interest and increased by £2 million in respect of exceptional interest receivable. Related interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have also been adjusted.

Average balance sheet (continued)

Quarter ended Quarter ended
30 September 2011
Average 31 December 2011 Average
balance
£m
Interest
£m
Rate
%
balance
£m
Interest
£m
Rate
%
Assets
Loans and advances to banks 91,359 207 0.90 72,461 154 0.84
Loans and advances to
customers 453,051 4,335 3.80 469,910 4,506 3.80
Debt securities 120,203 693 2.29 121,585 713 2.33
Interest-earning assets -
banking business 664,613 5,235 3.13 663,956 5,373 3.21
Trading business 271,183 281,267
Non-interest earning assets 655,374 653,592
Total assets 1,591,170 1,598,815
Memo: Funded assets 1,058,372 1,087,227
Liabilities
Deposits by banks 60,526 228 1.49 64,198 245 1.51
Customer accounts 340,742 922 1.07 338,469 921 1.08
Debt securities in issue 140,208 833 2.36 161,703 944 2.32
Subordinated liabilities 22,906 146 2.53 23,000 134 2.31
Internal funding of trading
business (44,408) 24 (0.21) (48,161) 55 (0.45)
Interest-bearing liabilities -
banking business 519,974 2,153 1.64 539,209 2,299 1.69
Trading business 299,789 314,626
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
- demand deposits 70,538 66,496
- other liabilities 625,702 602,235
Owners' equity 75,167 76,249
Total liabilities and
owners' equity 1,591,170 1,598,815

Notes:

(1) Interest receivable and interest payable on trading assets and liabilities are included in income from trading activities.

(2) Interest payable has been decreased by £2 million (Q3 2011 - £1 million) to exclude the RFS Holdings minority interest. Related interest-bearing liabilities have also been adjusted.

(3) Interest receivable has been increased by £1 million (Q3 2011 - £2 million) and interest payable has been increased by £40 million (Q3 2011 - £47 million) to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss. Related interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have also been adjusted.

(4) Interest payable has been decreased by £45 million (Q3 2011 - £41 million) in respect of non-recurring adjustments.

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period ended 31 December 2011

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Called-up share capital
At beginning of period 15,125 14,630 15,318 15,317 15,030
Ordinary shares issued 523 1 121
Preference shares redeemed 193
-
(1) - - 1
Cancellation of non-voting deferred shares - (27) - - (27)
-
At end of period 15,318 15,125 15,318 15,318 15,125
Paid-in equity
At beginning of period 431 565 431 431 431
Securities redeemed - (132) - - -
Transfer to retained earnings - (2) - - -
At end of period 431 431 431 431 431
Share premium account
At beginning of period 23,922 23,523 23,923 23,923 23,858
Ordinary shares issued 79 281 78 - 64
Redemption of preference shares classified
as debt - 118 - - -
At end of period 24,001 23,922 24,001 23,923 23,922
Merger reserve
At beginning of period 13,272 25,522 13,222 13,222 13,272
Transfer to retained earnings (50) (12,250) - - -
At end of period 13,222 13,272 13,222 13,222 13,272
Available-for-sale reserve
At beginning of period (2,037) (1,755) (292) (1,026) (1,242)
Unrealised gains/(losses) 1,769 179 (179) 1,005 (1,148)
Realised losses/(gains) (1) 486 (519) 69 (12) 16
Tax (1,175) 74 (555) (259) 337
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
businesses (2) - (16) - - -
At end of period (957) (2,037) (957) (292) (2,037)
Cash flow hedging reserve
At beginning of period (140) (252) 798 113 119
Amount recognised in equity 2,417 180 389 1,203 (149)
Amount transferred from equity to earnings (993) (59) (265) (264) (197)
Tax (405) (67) (43) (254) 87
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
businesses (3) - 58 - - -
At end of period 879 (140) 879 798 (140)

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the period ended 31 December 2011 (continued)

Year ended
31 December 31 December 31 December Quarter ended
30 September
31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Foreign exchange reserve
At beginning of period 5,138 4,528 4,847 4,834 5,085
Retranslation of net assets (382) 997 (111) (31) -
Foreign currency (losses)/gains on hedges
of net assets (10) (458) 20 10 (6)
Tax 23 63 13 34 34
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
businesses 6 8 6 - 25
At end of period 4,775 5,138 4,775 4,847 5,138
Capital redemption reserve
At beginning of period 198 170 198 198 172
Preference shares redeemed - 1 - - (1)
Cancellation of non-voting deferred shares - 27 - - 27
At end of period 198 198 198 198 198
Contingent capital reserve
At beginning and end of period (1,208) (1,208) (1,208) (1,208) (1,208)
Retained earnings
At beginning of period 21,239 12,134 20,977 19,726 20,904
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary and B
shareholders and other equity owners
- continuing operations (2,002) (973) (1,798) 1,225 12
- discontinued operations 5 (28) - 1 -
Equity preference dividends paid - (105) - - -
Paid-in equity dividends paid, net of tax - (19) - - -
Transfer from paid-in equity
- gross - 2 - - -
- tax - (1) - - -
Equity owners gain on withdrawal of
non-controlling interest
- gross - 40 - - -
- tax - (11) - - -
Redemption of equity preference shares - (2,968) - - -
Gain on redemption of equity preference
shares - 609 - - -
Redemption of preference shares classified
as debt - (118) - - -
Transfer from merger reserve 50 12,250 - - -
Actuarial (losses)/gains recognised in
retirement benefit schemes
- gross (581) 158 (581) - 158
- tax 86 (71) 86 - (71)
Purchase of non-controlling interest - (38) - - (38)
Shares issued under employee share
schemes (58) (13) 151 (2) (2)
Share-based payments
- gross 200 385 98 35 282
- tax (10) 6 (4) (8) (6)
At end of period 18,929 21,239 18,929 20,977 21,239

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period ended 31 December 2011 (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Own shares held
At beginning of period (808) (121) (771) (786) (821)
Disposal/(purchase) of own shares 20 (700) 1 13 11
Shares issued under employee share
schemes 19 13 1 2 2
At end of period (769) (808) (769) (771) (808)
Owners' equity at end of period 74,819 75,132 74,819 77,443 75,132
Non-controlling interests
At beginning of period 1,719 16,895 1,433 1,498 1,780
Currency translation adjustments and other
movements (54) (466) (32) (1) 15
Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling
interests
- continuing operations (14) (60) 8 (12) (17)
- discontinued operations 42 (605) 10 5 55
Dividends paid (40) (4,200) (1) - 17
Movements in available-for-sale securities
- unrealised gains/(losses) 1 (56) 1 - (2)
- realised losses 2 37 2 3 1
- tax (1) 5 (1) (1) -
- recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
discontinued operations (4) - (7) - - -
Movements in cash flow hedging reserves
- amounts recognised in equity - (120) - - (21)
- tax - 39 - - 6
- recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
discontinued operations (5) - 1,036 - - 15
Equity raised - 559 - - 58
Equity withdrawn and disposals (421) (11,298) (186) (59) (188)
Transfer to retained earnings - (40) - - -
At end of period 1,234 1,719 1,234 1,433 1,719
Total equity at end of period 76,053 76,851 76,053 78,876 76,851
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
recognised in the statement of
changes in equity is attributable to:
Non-controlling interests (24) (197) (12) (6) 52
Preference shareholders - 105 - - -
Paid-in equity holders - 19 - - -
Ordinary and B shareholders (756) (598) (2,949) 2,658 (902)
(780) (671) (2,961) 2,652 (850)

Notes:

(1) Includes an impairment loss of £1,099 million in respect of the Group's holding of Greek government bonds, together with £169 million of related interest rate hedge adjustments, for the year ended 31 December 2011.

(2) Net of tax (year ended 31 December 2010 - £5 million credit).

(3) Net of tax (year ended 31 December 2010 - £19 million credit).

(4) Net of tax (year ended 31 December 2010 - £2 million credit).

(5) Net of tax (year ended 31 December 2010 - £340 million credit).

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 December 2011

2011
£m
2010
£m
Operating activities
Operating loss before tax (766) (399)
Operating loss before tax on discontinued operations 58 (541)
Adjustments for non-cash items 7,661 2,571
Net cash inflow from trading activities 6,953 1,631
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (3,444) 17,095
Net cash flows from operating activities before tax 3,509 18,726
Income taxes received/(paid) (184) 565
Net cash flows from operating activities 3,325 19,291
Net cash flows from investing activities 14 3,351
Net cash flows from financing activities (1,741) (14,380)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1,473) 82
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 125 8,344
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 152,530 144,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 152,655 152,530

Notes

1. Basis of preparation

Having reviewed the Group's forecasts, projections and other relevant evidence, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been prepared on a going concern basis.

2. Accounting policies

The annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee of the IASB as adopted by the European Union (EU) (together IFRS).

Recent developments in IFRS

In May 2011, the IASB issued six new or revised standards:

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements which replaces SIC-12 Consolidation - Special Purpose Entities and the consolidation elements of the existing IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. The new standard adopts a single definition of control: a reporting entity controls another entity when the reporting entity has the power to direct the activities of that other entity to generate returns for the reporting entity.

IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements which comprises those parts of the existing IAS 27 that dealt with separate financial statements.

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements which supersedes IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures. IFRS 11 distinguishes between joint operations and joint ventures. Joint operations are accounted for by the investor recognising its assets and liabilities including its share of any assets held and liabilities incurred jointly and its share of revenues and costs. Joint ventures are accounted for in the investor's consolidated accounts using the equity method.

IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures covers joint ventures as well as associates; both must be accounted for using the equity method. The mechanics of the equity method are unchanged.

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities covers disclosures for entities reporting under IFRS 10 and IFRS 11 replacing those in IAS 28 and IAS 27. Entities are required to disclose information that helps financial statement readers evaluate the nature, risks and financial effects associated with an entity's interests in subsidiaries, in associates and joint arrangements and in unconsolidated structured entities.

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement which sets out a single IFRS framework for defining and measuring fair value and requiring disclosures about fair value measurements.

These standards are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. Earlier application is permitted. The Group is reviewing the standards to determine their effect on the Group's financial reporting.

2. Accounting policies (continued)

Recent developments in IFRS (continued)

In June 2011, the IASB issued amendments to two standards:

Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income that require items that will never be recognised in profit or loss to be presented separately in other comprehensive income from those that are subject to subsequent reclassification. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012. Earlier application is permitted.

Amendments IAS 19 Employee Benefits - these require the immediate recognition of all actuarial gains and losses eliminating the 'corridor approach'; interest cost to be calculated on the net pension liability or asset at the appropriate corporate bond rate; and all past service costs to be recognised immediately when a scheme is curtailed or amended. These amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. Earlier application is permitted. The Group is reviewing the amendments to determine their effect on the Group's financial reporting.

In December 2011, the IASB issued Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Amendments to IAS 32) and Disclosures-Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Amendments to IFRS 7). The amendment to IAS 32 adds application guidance on the meaning of 'a legally enforceable right to set off' and on simultaneous settlement. IFRS 7 is amended to require disclosures facilitating comparisons between those entities reporting under IFRS and those reporting under US GAAP. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014 and are required to be applied retrospectively.

3. Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses

Year ended
Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Loans and advances to customers 17,969 18,889 4,336 4,505 4,755
Loans and advances to banks 697 591 207 154 167
Debt securities 2,744 3,296 691 712 690
Interest receivable 21,410 22,776 5,234 5,371 5,612
Customer accounts 3,529 3,721 926 919 926
Deposits by banks 982 1,333 226 248 288
Debt securities in issue 3,371 3,277 794 897 866
Subordinated liabilities 740 417 190 175 (18)
Internal funding of trading businesses 109 (181) 24 55 (30)
Interest payable 8,731 8,567 2,160 2,294 2,032
Net interest income 12,679 14,209 3,074 3,077 3,580
Fees and commissions receivable
Fees and commissions payable
6,384 8,193 1,590 1,452 2,052
- banking (962) (1,892) (339) (204) (392)
- insurance related (498) (319) (234) (100) (57)
Net fees and commissions 4,924 5,982 1,017 1,148 1,603
Foreign exchange 1,327 1,491 308 441 217
Interest rate 760 1,862 76 33 (165)
Credit (15) 41 (695) 366 83
Other 629 1,123 73 117 229
Income/(loss) from trading activities 2,701 4,517 (238) 957 364
Gain on redemption of own debt 255 553 (1) 1 -
Operating lease and other rental income 1,307 1,394 308 327 369
Changes in fair value of own debt 1,621 249 (200) 1,887 472
Changes in the fair value of securities and
other financial assets and liabilities
150 (180) 6 (148) (83)
Changes in the fair value of investment
properties (139) (405) (65) (22) (293)
Profit on sale of securities 882 496 179 274 (10)
Profit on sale of property, plant and
equipment 22 50 (5) 5 29
(Loss)/profit on sale of subsidiaries and
associates (28) (107) (15) (39) 511
Life business (losses)/profits (13) 90 - (8) 29
Dividend income 62 69 15 14 11
Share of profits less losses of associated
entities
Other income
26
232
70
(247)
6
(24)
5
89
14
(46)
Other operating income 4,122 1,479 205 2,384 1,003

Refer to Appendix 1 for a reconciliation between the managed and statutory bases for key line items.

3. Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses (continued)

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Non-interest income (excluding
insurance net premium income) 12,002 12,531 983 4,490 2,970
Insurance net premium income 4,256 5,128 981 1,036 1,272
Total non-interest income 16,258 17,659 1,964 5,526 4,242
Total income 28,937 31,868 5,038 8,603 7,822
Staff costs 8,678 9,671 1,993 2,076 2,194
Premises and equipment 2,451 2,402 674 604 709
Other (1) 4,931 3,995 1,296 962 1,048
Administrative expenses 16,060 16,068 3,963 3,642 3,951
Depreciation and amortisation 1,875 2,150 513 485 546
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets 91 10 91 - 10
Operating expenses 18,026 18,228 4,567 4,127 4,507
General insurance 2,968 4,698 529 734 1,151
Bancassurance - 85 - - 31
Insurance net claims 2,968 4,783 529 734 1,182
Loan impairment losses 7,241 9,144 1,654 1,452 2,155
Securities impairment losses
- sovereign debt impairment and related
interest rate hedge adjustments 1,268 - 224 202 -
- other 200 112 40 84 (14)
Impairment losses 8,709 9,256 1,918 1,738 2,141

Note:

(1) Includes Payment Protection Insurance costs of £850 million reflected in the quarter ended 30 June 2011.

Refer to Appendix 1 for a reconciliation between the managed and statutory bases for key line items.

3. Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses (continued)

Staff expenses

Staff expenses comprise 2011
£m
2010
£m
Change
%
Salaries 5,423 5,473 (1)
Variable compensation 985 1,246 (21)
Temporary and contract costs 846 700 21
Share based compensation 197 397 (50)
Bonus tax 27 99 (73)
Social security costs 640 661 (3)
Post retirement benefits 447 569 (21)
Other * 113 526 (79)
Staff expenses 8,678 9,671 (10)

* Other includes severance costs and variable compensation for disposal groups.

Variable compensation awards

The following table analyses Group and GBM variable compensation awards for 2011, which are 43% and 58% respectively lower than in 2010.

Group GBM
2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
£m £m % £m £m %
Non-deferred cash awards (1) 72 89 (19) 10 18 (44)
Non-deferred share awards 35 54 (35) 23 43 (47)
Total non-deferred variable compensation 107 143 (25) 33 61 (46)
Deferred bond awards 582 1,029 (43) 286 701 (59)
Deferred share awards 96 203 (53) 71 175 (59)
Total deferred variable compensation 678 1,232 (45) 357 876 (59)
Total variable compensation 785 1,375 (43) 390 937 (58)
Variable compensation as a % of core
operating profit (2)
Proportion of variable compensation that is
11% 16% 18% 22%
deferred 86% 90% 92% 93%
Total employees 146,800 148,500 (1) 17,000 18,700 (9)
Variable compensation per employee £5,347 £9,260 (42) £22,941 £50,114 (54)
Reconciliation of variable compensation awards to income statement charge 2011
£m
2010
£m
Variable compensation awarded for 2011
Less: deferral of charge for amounts awarded for current year
Add: current year charge for amounts deferred from prior years
785
(302)
502
1,375
(512)
383
Income statement charge for variable compensation 985 1,246
Actual Expected
Year in which income statement charge is expected to be
taken for deferred variable compensation
2010 £m 2011
£m
2012
£m
2013
and beyond
£m
Variable compensation deferred from 2009 and earlier 383 160 78 -
Variable compensation deferred from 2010 - 342 105 65
Variable compensation for 2011 deferred - - 225 77
383 502 408 142

Notes:

(1) Cash payments to all employees are limited to £2,000.

(2) Core operating profit pre variable compensation expense and before one-off and other items.

4. Loan impairment provisions

Operating (loss)/profit is stated after charging loan impairment losses of £7,241 million (2010 - £9,144 million). The balance sheet loan impairment provisions increased in the year ended 31 December 2011 from £18,182 million to £19,883 million and the movements thereon were:

Year ended
31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non
Core Core RFS MI Total Core Core RFS MI Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At beginning of period 7,866 10,316 - 18,182 6,921 8,252 2,110 17,283
Transfers to disposal groups (773) - - (773) - (72) - (72)
Intra-group transfers 177 (177) - - (568) 568 - -
Currency translation and other
adjustments (76) (207) - (283) (16) 59 - 43
Disposals - - 8 8 - (20) (2,152) (2,172)
Amounts written-off (2,137) (2,390) - (4,527) (2,224) (3,818) - (6,042)
Recoveries of amounts previously
written-off 167 360 - 527 213 198 - 411
Charge to income statement
- continued 3,403 3,838 - 7,241 3,737 5,407 - 9,144
- discontinued - - (8) (8) - - 42 42
Unwind of discount (recognised in interest
income) (213) (271) - (484) (197) (258) - (455)
At end of period 8,414 11,469 - 19,883 7,866 10,316 - 18,182
Quarter ended
31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Core
£m
Non
Core
£m
RFS
MI
£m
Total
£m
Core
£m
Non
Core
£m
Total
£m
Core
£m
Non
Core
£m
RFS
MI
£m
Total
£m
At beginning of period 8,873 11,850 - 20,723 8,752 12,007 20,759 7,791 9,879 - 17,670
Transfers to disposal
groups
(773) - - (773) - - - - (5) - (5)
Intra-group transfers - - - - - - - (217) 217 - -
Currency translation and
other adjustments
(75) (162) - (237) (90) (285) (375) 147 (235) - (88)
Disposals - - (3) (3) - - - - (3) (3) (6)
Amounts written-off (526) (981) - (1,507) (593) (497) (1,090) (745) (771) - (1,516)
Recoveries of amounts
previously written-off
48 99 - 147 39 55 94 29 67 - 96
Charge to income
statement
- continued 924 730 - 1,654 817 635 1,452 912 1,243 - 2,155
- discontinued - - 3 3 - - - - - 3 3
Unwind of discount
(recognised in interest
income) (57) (67) - (124) (52) (65) (117) (51) (76) - (127)
At end of period 8,414 11,469 - 19,883 8,873 11,850 20,723 7,866 10,316 - 18,182

Provisions at 31 December 2011 include £123 million (30 September 2011 - £126 million; 31 December 2010 - £127 million) in respect of loans and advances to banks.

The table above excludes impairments relating to securities (see page 153).

5. Pensions

Pension costs 2011
£m
2010
£m
Defined benefit schemes 349 462
Defined contribution schemes 98 107
447 569
Net pension deficit/(surplus) 2011
£m
2010
£m
At 1 January
Currency translation and other adjustments
2,183
(3)
2,905
-
Income statement
- pension costs
- continuing operations 349 519
- discontinued operations - 21
- curtailment gains: continuing operations - (78)
Net actuarial losses/(gains) 581 (158)
Contributions by employer (1,059) (832)
Disposal of RFS minority interest - (194)
At 31 December 2,051 2,183
Net assets of schemes in surplus (188) (105)
Net liabilities of schemes in deficit 2,239 2,288

The Group and the Trustees of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund agreed the funding valuation as at 31 March 2010 during the year. It showed that the value of liabilities exceed the value of assets by £3.5 billion as at 31 March 2010, a ratio of assets to liabilities of 84%. In order to eliminate this deficit, the Group will pay additional contributions each year over the period 2011 to 2018. These contributions started at £375 million per annum in 2011, increasing to £400 million per annum in 2013 and from 2016 onwards will be further increased in line with price inflation. These contributions are in addition to the regular annual contributions of around £300 million for future accrual benefits.

6. Tax

The actual tax (charge)/credit differs from the expected tax (charge)/credit computed by applying the standard UK corporation tax rate of 26.5% (2010 - 28%) as follows:

Year ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
(Loss)/profit before tax (766) (399) (1,976) 2,004 (8)
Tax credit/(charge) based on the standard UK
corporation tax rate of 26.5% (2010 - 28%) 203 112 524 (531) 2
Sovereign debt impairment where no
deferred tax asset recognised (275) - (56) (36) -
Other losses in period where no deferred
tax asset recognised (530) (450) (195) (67) (96)
Foreign profits taxed at other rates (417) (517) (46) (71) (131)
UK tax rate change - deferred tax impact (110) (82) 27 (50) 8
Unrecognised timing differences (20) 11 - (10) 18
Non-deductible goodwill impairment (24) (3) (24) - (3)
Items not allowed for tax
- losses on strategic disposals and
write-downs (72) (311) (58) (4) (129)
- UK bank levy (80) - (80) - -
- employee share schemes (113) (32) (101) (4) (32)
- other disallowable items (271) (296) (123) (46) (162)
Non-taxable items
- gain on sale of Global Merchant Services 12 221 - - 221
- gain on redemption of own debt - 11 - - (1)
- other non-taxable items 245 341 208 16 240
Taxable foreign exchange movements 4 4 2 2 2
Losses brought forward and utilised 2 2 (29) 2 (8)
Adjustments in respect of prior periods 196 355 137 8 74
Actual tax (charge)/credit (1,250) (634) 186 (791) 3

The high tax charge in the year ended 31 December 2011 reflects profits in high tax regimes (principally US) and losses in low tax regimes (principally Ireland), losses in overseas subsidiaries for which a deferred tax asset has not been recognised (principally Ireland and the Netherlands) and the effect of the two reductions of 1% in the rate of UK corporation tax enacted in March 2011 and July 2011 on the net deferred tax balance.

The combined effect of the tax losses in Ireland and the Netherlands (including the sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments) in the year ended 31 December 2011 for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised and the two 1% changes in the standard rate of UK corporation tax, account for £1,020 million (70%) of the difference between the actual tax charge and the tax credit derived from applying the standard UK Corporation Tax rate to the results for the period. The impact of these items for the quarter ended 31 December 2011 is £165 million (49%).

6. Tax (continued)

The Group has recognised a deferred tax asset at 31 December 2011 of £3,878 million (30 September 2011 - £4,988 million; 31 December 2010 - £6,373 million), of which £2,933 million (30 September 2011 - £3,014 million; 31 December 2010 - £3,849 million) relates to carried forward trading losses in the UK. Under UK tax legislation, these UK losses can be carried forward indefinitely to be utilised against profits arising in the future. The deferred tax asset balance has reduced over the period primarily as a result of the utilisation of tax losses brought forward and the impact of the reductions in the rate of UK corporation tax. The Group has considered the carrying value of this asset as at 31 December 2011 and concluded that it is recoverable based on future profit projections.

7. Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Trust preferred securities - 10 - - -
RBS Sempra Commodities JV (18) 35 (5) (8) (11)
RFS Holdings BV Consortium Members 35 (726) 8 3 49
RBS Life Holdings - 26 - - 9
Other 11 (10) 15 (2) (9)
Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling
interests 28 (665) 18 (7) 38

8. Dividends

The Group has undertaken that, unless otherwise agreed with the European Commission, neither the company nor any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (other than companies in the RBS Holdings N.V. group, which are subject to different restrictions) will pay external investors any dividends or coupons on existing hybrid capital instruments (including preference shares, B shares and upper and lower tier 2 instruments) from 30 April 2010 and for a period of two years thereafter ("the Deferral period"), or exercise any call rights in relation to these capital instruments between 24 November 2009 and the end of the deferral period, unless there is a legal obligation to do so. Hybrid capital instruments issued after 24 November 2009 will generally not be subject to the restriction on dividend or coupon payments or call options.

9. Earnings per ordinary and B share

Earnings per ordinary and B share have been calculated based on the following:

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
Earnings £m £m £m £m £m
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations
attributable to ordinary and B shareholders (2,002) (1,097) (1,798) 1,225 12
Gain on redemption of preference shares and
paid-in equity - 610 - - -
(Loss)/adjusted profit from continuing
operations attributable to ordinary and
B shareholders (2,002) (487) (1,798) 1,225 12
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations
attributable to ordinary and B shareholders 5 (28) - 1 -
Ordinary shares in issue during the period
(millions) 57,219 56,245 57,552 57,541 56,166
B shares in issue during the period (millions) 51,000 51,000 51,000 51,000 51,000
Weighted average number of ordinary
and B shares in issue during the
period (millions) 108,219 107,245 108,552 108,541 107,166
Effect of dilutive share options and
convertible securities - - - 891 -
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary
and B shares in issue during the period 108,219 107,245 108,552 109,432 107,166
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary and B
share from continuing operations (1.8p) (0.5p) (1.7p) 1.1p -
Fair value of own debt (1.3p) (0.1p) 0.2p (1.7p) (0.4p)
Asset Protection Scheme 0.6p 1.1p 0.1p - 0.5p
Payment Protection Insurance costs 0.6p - - -
Sovereign debt impairment 1.0p - 0.2p - -
Amortisation of purchased intangible assets 0.1p -
0.2p
- - 0.1p
Integration and restructuring costs 0.6p 0.8p 0.5p 0.3p 0.3p
Gain on redemption of own debt (0.2p) (1.0p) - - -
Strategic disposals 0.1p (0.1p) 0.1p - (0.5p)
Bank levy 0.3p - 0.3p - -
Bonus tax - - - -
0.1p
Interest rate hedge adjustments on impaired
available-for-sale Greek government bonds 0.2p - - 0.2p -
Adjusted earnings/(loss) per ordinary
and B share from continuing operations 0.2p 0.5p (0.3p) (0.1p) -
Earnings/(loss) from Non-Core attributable to
ordinary and B shareholders 0.5p 1.9p (0.3p) 0.1p 0.4p
Core adjusted earnings per ordinary
and B share from continuing operations 0.7p 2.4p (0.6p) - 0.4p
Core impairment losses 0.5p 1.3p (0.2p) 0.1p 0.3p
Pre-impairment Core adjusted
earnings per ordinary and B share 1.2p 3.7p (0.8p) 0.1p 0.7p
Memo: Core adjusted earnings per
ordinary and B share from continuing
operations assuming normalised tax
rate of 26.5% (2010 - 28.0%) 4.1p 4.8p 0.7p 0.9p 1.1p
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary and
B share from continuing operations (1.8p) (0.5p) (1.7p) 1.1p -

10. Segmental analysis

There have been no significant changes in the Group's divisions during the year.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss)

The following tables provide an analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) for the years ended 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2010 and the quarters ended 31 December 2011, 30 September 2011 and 31 December 2010 by main income statement captions. The divisional income statements on pages 22 to 67 reflect certain presentational reallocations as described in the notes below. These do not affect the overall operating profit/(loss).

Net Non
interest interest Total Operating Insurance Impairment Operating
income income income expenses net claims losses profit/(loss)
Year ended 31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
UK Retail 4,272 1,206 5,478 (2,699) - (788) 1,991
UK Corporate 2,585 1,275 3,860 (1,661) - (785) 1,414
Wealth 718 459 1,177 (831) - (25) 321
Global Transaction Services 1,076 1,175 2,251 (1,342) - (166) 743
Ulster Bank 696 211 907 (547) - (1,384) (1,024)
US Retail & Commercial 1,896 1,004 2,900 (2,096) - (325) 479
Global Banking & Markets (1) 665 5,276 5,941 (4,331) - (49) 1,561
RBS Insurance (2) 343 3,729 4,072 (846) (2,772) - 454
Central items (228) 213 (15) 170 (1) 2 156
Core 12,023 14,548 26,571 (14,183) (2,773) (3,520) 6,095
Non-Core (3) 666 540 1,206 (1,295) (195) (3,919) (4,203)
Managed basis 12,689 15,088 27,777 (15,478) (2,968) (7,439) 1,892
Reconciling items
Fair value of own debt (4) - 1,846 1,846 - - - 1,846
Asset Protection Scheme (5) - (906) (906) - - - (906)
Payment Protection Insurance costs - - - (850) - - (850)
Sovereign debt impairment - - - - - (1,099) (1,099)
Amortisation of purchased
intangible assets - - - (222) - - (222)
Integration and restructuring costs (2) (3) (5) (1,059) - - (1,064)
Gain on redemption of own debt - 255 255 - - - 255
Strategic disposals - (24) (24) (80) - - (104)
Bank levy - - - (300) - - (300)
Bonus tax - - - (27) - - (27)
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets - - - (11) - - (11)
Interest rate hedge adjustments on
impaired available-for-sale Greek
government bonds - - - - - (169) (169)
RFS Holdings minority interest (8) 2 (6) 1 - (2) (7)
Statutory basis 12,679 16,258 28,937 (18,026) (2,968) (8,709) (766)

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of £54 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £42 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £12 million.

(2) Total income includes £265 million investment income, of which £205 million is included in net interest income and £60 million in non-interest income. Reallocation of £138 million between non-interest income and net interest income in respect of instalment income.

(3) Reallocation of £215 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £210 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £5 million.

(4) Comprises £225 million gain included in 'Income and trading activities' and £1,621 million gain included in 'Other operating income' on a statutory basis.

(5) Included in 'Income from trading activities' on a statutory basis.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) (continued)

Net Non
interest interest Total Operating Insurance Impairment Operating
income income income expenses net claims losses profit/(loss)
Year ended 31 December 2010 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
UK Retail (1) 4,078 1,422 5,500 (2,883) (85) (1,160) 1,372
UK Corporate 2,572 1,323 3,895 (1,671) - (761) 1,463
Wealth 609 447 1,056 (734) - (18) 304
Global Transaction Services 974 1,587 2,561 (1,464) - (9) 1,088
Ulster Bank 761 214 975 (575) - (1,161) (761)
US Retail & Commercial 1,917 1,029 2,946 (2,123) - (517) 306
Global Banking & Markets (2) 1,215 6,697 7,912 (4,397) - (151) 3,364
RBS Insurance (3) 381 4,135 4,516 (879) (3,932) - (295)
Central items 10 327 337 272 (29) (3) 577
Core 12,517 17,181 29,698 (14,454) (4,046) (3,780) 7,418
Non-Core (4) 1,683 1,281 2,964 (2,256) (737) (5,476) (5,505)
Managed basis 14,200 18,462 32,662 (16,710) (4,783) (9,256) 1,913
Reconciling items
Fair value of own debt (5) - 174 174 - - - 174
Asset Protection Scheme (6) - (1,550) (1,550) - - - (1,550)
Amortisation of purchased
intangible assets - - - (369) - - (369)
Integration and restructuring costs - - - (1,032) - - (1,032)
Gain on redemption of own debt - 553 553 - - - 553
Strategic disposals - 171 171 - - - 171
Bonus tax - - - (99) - - (99)
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets - - - (10) - - (10)
RFS Holdings minority interest 9 (151) (142) (8) - - (150)
Statutory basis 14,209 17,659 31,868 (18,228) (4,783) (9,256) (399)

Notes:

  • (2) Reallocation of £61 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £37 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £24 million.
  • (3) Total income includes £277 million investment income of which £222 million is included in net interest income and £55 million in non-interest income. Reallocation of £159 million between non-interest income and net interest income in respect of instalment income.
  • (4) Reallocation of £276 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding assets, £283 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £7 million.
  • (5) Comprises £75 million loss included in 'Income from trading activities' and £249 million gain included in 'Other operating income', on a statutory basis.
  • (6) Included in 'Income from trading activities' on a statutory basis.

(1) Reallocation of bancassurance claims of £85 million from non-interest income.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) (continued)

Quarter ended 31 December 2011 Net
interest
income
£m
Non
interest
income
£m
Total
income
£m
Operating
expenses
£m
Insurance
net claims
£m
Impairment
losses
£m
Operating
profit/(loss)
£m
UK Retail 1,036 277 1,313 (661) - (191) 461
UK Corporate 634 291 925 (416) - (234) 275
Wealth 191 112 303 (194) - (13) 96
Global Transaction Services 277 296 573 (329) - (47) 197
Ulster Bank 171 49 220 (132) - (327) (239)
US Retail & Commercial 493 258 751 (529) - (65) 157
Global Banking & Markets (1) 159 753 912 (939) - (68) (95)
RBS Insurance (2) 82 841 923 (209) (589) - 125
Central items (40) 43 3 79 (1) 4 85
Core 3,003 2,920 5,923 (3,330) (590) (941) 1,062
Non-Core (3) 73 (377) (304) (314) 61 (751) (1,308)
Managed basis 3,076 2,543 5,619 (3,644) (529) (1,692) (246)
Reconciling items
Fair value of own debt (4) - (370) (370) - - - (370)
Asset Protection Scheme (5) - (209) (209) - - - (209)
Sovereign debt impairment - - - - - (224) (224)
Amortisation of purchased intangible
assets - - - (53) - - (53)
Integration and restructuring costs - - - (478) - - (478)
Gain on redemption of own debt - (1) (1) - - - (1)
Strategic disposals - (2) (2) (80) - - (82)
Bank levy - - - (300) - - (300)
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets - - - (11) - - (11)
RFS Holdings minority interest (2) 3 1 (1) - (2) (2)
Statutory basis 3,074 1,964 5,038 (4,567) (529) (1,918) (1,976)

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of £15 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £12 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £3 million.

(2) Total income includes £60 million investment income of which £49 million is included in net interest income and £11 million in non-interest income. Reallocation of £33 million between non-interest income and net interest income in respect of instalment income.

(3) Reallocation of £56 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £55 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £1 million.

(4) Comprises £170 million loss included in 'Income from trading activities' and £200 million loss included in 'Other operating income' on a statutory basis.

(5) Included in 'Income from trading activities' on a statutory basis.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) (continued)

Net Non
interest interest Total Operating Insurance Impairment Operating
income income income expenses net claims losses profit/(loss)
Quarter ended 30 September 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
UK Retail 1,074 292 1,366 (672) - (195) 499
UK Corporate 621 327 948 (419) - (228) 301
Wealth 178 118 296 (221) - (4) 71
Global Transaction Services 276 300 576 (336) - (45) 195
Ulster Bank 185 60 245 (137) - (327) (219)
US Retail & Commercial 483 257 740 (541) - (84) 115
Global Banking & Markets (1) 161 938 1,099 (1,019) - 32 112
RBS Insurance (2) 84 949 1,033 (215) (695) - 123
Central items (94) 103 9 62 (1) (3) 67
Core 2,968 3,344 6,312 (3,498) (696) (854) 1,264
Non-Core (3) 110 (64) 46 (323) (38) (682) (997)
Managed basis 3,078 3,280 6,358 (3,821) (734) (1,536) 267
Reconciling items
Fair value of own debt (4) - 2,357 2,357 - - - 2,357
Asset Protection Scheme (5) - (60) (60) - - - (60)
Sovereign debt impairment and related
interest rate hedge adjustments - - - - - (202) (202)
Amortisation of purchased intangible
assets - - - (69) - - (69)
Integration and restructuring costs - - - (233) - - (233)
Gain on redemption of own debt - 1 1 - - - 1
Strategic disposals - (49) (49) - - - (49)
Bonus tax - - - (5) - - (5)
RFS Holdings minority interest (1) (3) (4) 1 - - (3)
Statutory basis 3,077 5,526 8,603 (4,127) (734) (1,738) 2,004

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of £13 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £10 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £3 million.

(2) Total income includes £72 million investment income of which £49 million is included in net interest income and £23 million in non-interest income. Reallocation of £35 million between non-interest income and net interest income in respect of instalment income.

(3) Reallocation of £54 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £53 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £1 million.

(4) Comprises £470 million gain included in 'Income from trading activities' and £1,887 million gain included in 'Other operating income' on a statutory basis.

(5) Included in 'Income from trading activities' on a statutory basis.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) (continued)

Net Non
interest interest Total Operating Insurance Impairment Operating
income income income expenses net claims losses profit/(loss)
Quarter ended 31 December 2010 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
UK Retail (1) 1,088 402 1,490 (679) (31) (222) 558
UK Corporate 653 330 983 (431) - (219) 333
Wealth 160 111 271 (178) - (6) 87
Global Transaction Services 263 375 638 (368) - (3) 267
Ulster Bank 187 56 243 (138) - (376) (271)
US Retail & Commercial 467 231 698 (529) - (105) 64
Global Banking & Markets (2) 214 1,373 1,587 (1,065) - 5 527
RBS Insurance (3) 96 1,016 1,112 (223) (898) - (9)
Central items 92 24 116 11 (8) (4) 115
Core 3,220 3,918 7,138 (3,600) (937) (930) 1,671
Non-Core (4) 358 (37) 321 (481) (245) (1,211) (1,616)
Managed basis 3,578 3,881 7,459 (4,081) (1,182) (2,141) 55
Reconciling items
Fair value of own debt (5) - 582 582 - - - 582
Asset Protection Scheme (6) - (725) (725) - - - (725)
Amortisation of purchased
intangible assets - - - (96) - - (96)
Integration and restructuring costs - - - (299) - - (299)
Strategic disposals - 502 502 - - - 502
Bonus tax - - - (15) - - (15)
RFS Holdings minority interest 2 2 4 (6) - - (2)
Write-down of goodwill and other
intangible assets - - - (10) - - (10)
Statutory basis 3,580 4,242 7,822 (4,507) (1,182) (2,141) (8)

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of bancassurance claims of £31 million from non-interest income.

  • (2) Reallocation of £31 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £11 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value profit or loss, £20 million.
  • (3) Total income includes £77 million investment income, of which £58 million is included in net interest income and £19 million in non-interest income. Reallocation of £38 million between non-interest income and net interest income in respect of instalment income.
  • (4) Reallocation of £61 million between net interest income and non-interest income in respect of funding costs of rental assets, £57 million and to record interest on financial assets and liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss, £4 million.
  • (5) Comprises £110 million gain included in 'Income from trading activities' and £472 million gain included in 'Other operating income' on a statutory basis.
  • (6) Included in 'Income from trading activities' on a statutory basis.

Total assets by division

31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2011 2010
Total assets £m £m £m
UK Retail 114,469 113,308 111,793
UK Corporate 111,835 112,737 114,550
Wealth 21,718 21,946 21,073
Global Transaction Services 25,937 29,889 25,221
Ulster Bank 34,810 37,356 40,081
US Retail & Commercial 74,502 72,879 71,173
Global Banking & Markets 874,848 952,374 802,578
RBS Insurance 12,912 13,031 12,555
Central items 130,306 135,545 99,728
Core 1,401,337 1,489,065 1,298,752
Non-Core 104,726 117,671 153,882
1,506,063 1,606,736 1,452,634
RFS Holdings minority interest 804 992 942
1,506,867 1,607,728 1,453,576

11. Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups

Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2010 2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Discontinued operations
Total income 42 1,433 15 10 6
Operating expenses (5) (803) (1) (3) (2)
Insurance net claims - (161) - - -
Impairment recoveries/(losses) 8 (42) (3) - (3)
Profit before tax 45 427 11 7 1
Gain on disposal before recycling
of reserves - 113 - - 56
Recycled reserves - (1,076) - - -
Operating profit/(loss) before tax 45 (536) 11 7 57
Tax (11) (92) (1) (3) (3)
Profit/(loss) after tax 34 (628) 10 4 54
Businesses acquired exclusively with a
view to disposal
Profit/(loss) after tax 13 (5) - 2 1
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax 47 (633) 10 6 55

Discontinued operations reflect the results of RFS Holdings attributable to the State of the Netherlands and Santander following the legal separation of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. on 1 April 2010.

11. Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups (continued)

31 December 2011
UK branch
based
businesses
£m
Other
£m
Total
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Assets of disposal groups
Cash and balances at central banks 100 27 127 119 184
Loans and advances to banks
Loans and advances to customers
-
18,676
87
729
87
19,405
95
1,711
651
5,013
Debt securities and equity shares - 5 5 10 20
Derivatives 431 8 439 24 5,148
Intangible assets - 15 15 - -
Settlement balances - 14 14 206 555
112 4,637 4,749 220 18
Other assets - 456 456 448 704
Discontinued operations and other disposal groups 19,319 5,978 25,297 2,833 12,293
Property, plant and equipment
Assets acquired exclusively with a view to disposal
- 153 153 211 191
19,319 6,131 25,450 3,044 12,484
Liabilities of disposal groups
Deposits by banks - 1 1 288 266
Customer accounts 21,784 826 22,610 1,743 2,267
Derivatives 117 9 126 24 5,042
Settlement balances - 8 8 264 907
Other liabilities - 1,233 1,233 178 925
Discontinued operations and other disposal groups 21,901 2,077 23,978 2,497 9,407
Liabilities acquired exclusively with a view to disposal - 17 17 19 21
21,901 2,094 23,995 2,516 9,428

The assets and liabilities of disposal groups at 31 December 2011 primarily comprise the RBS England and Wales and NatWest Scotland branch-based businesses ("UK branch-based businesses") and the RBS Aviation Capital business.

The disposal of the RBS Sempra Commodities JV was substantially completed in 2010. Certain contracts of the RBS Sempra Commodities JV were sold in risk transfer transactions prior to being novated to the purchaser, the majority of which completed during 2011.

UK branch-based businesses

Loans, REIL and impairment provisions at 31 December 2011 relating to the Group's UK branchbased businesses are set out below.

Gross loans
£m
REIL
£m
Impairment
provisions
£m
Residential mortgages 5,662 186 34
Personal lending 1,801 333 284
Property 4,290 446 132
Construction 416 181 58
Service industries and business activities 4,497 329 156
Other 2,783 50 30
Latent - - 79
Total 19,449 1,525 773

12. Financial instruments

Classification

The following tables analyse the Group's financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the categories of financial instruments in IAS 39 with assets and liabilities outside the scope of IAS 39 shown separately.

At fair value Other
financial
Non
through profit or loss instruments financial
(amortised Finance assets/
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) cost) leases liabilities Total
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Assets
Cash and balances at
central banks - - - 79,269 79,269
Loans and advances to
banks
- reverse repos 34,659 - - 4,781 39,440
- other 20,317 - - 23,553 43,870
Loans and advances to
Customers
- reverse repos 53,584 - - 7,910 61,494
- other 25,322 476 - 419,895 8,419 454,112
Debt securities 95,076 647 107,298 6,059 209,080
Equity shares 12,433 774 1,976 - 15,183
Settlement balances - - - 7,771 7,771
Derivatives 529,618 529,618
Intangible assets 14,858 14,858
Property, plant and
equipment 11,868 11,868
Deferred tax 3,878 3,878
Prepayments, accrued
income and other assets - - - 1,309 9,667 10,976
Assets of disposal groups 25,450 25,450
771,009 1,897 109,274 550,547 8,419 65,721 1,506,867

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Other
At fair value financial Non
through profit or loss instruments financial
(amortised Finance assets/
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) cost) leases liabilities Total
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Liabilities
Deposits by banks
- repos 23,342 - 16,349 39,691
- other 34,172 - 34,941 69,113
Customer accounts
- repos 65,526 - 23,286 88,812
- other 14,286 5,627 394,230 414,143
Debt securities in issue 11,492 35,747 115,382 162,621
Settlement balances - - 7,477 7,477
Short positions 41,039 - 41,039
Derivatives 523,983 - 523,983
Accruals, deferred income
and other liabilities - - 1,683 19 21,423 23,125
Retirement benefit
liabilities - 2,239 2,239
Deferred tax - 1,945 1,945
Insurance liabilities - 6,312 6,312
Subordinated liabilities - 903 25,416 26,319
Liabilities of disposal
groups 23,995 23,995
713,840 42,277 - 618,764 19 55,914 1,430,814
Equity 76,053
1,506,867

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Classification (continued)

At fair value
through profit or loss
Other
financial
instruments
Non
financial
(amortised Finance assets/
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) cost) leases liabilities Total
30 September 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Assets
Cash and balances at
central banks - - - 78,445 78,445
Loans and advances to
banks
- reverse repos 40,181 - - 7,946 48,127
- other 20,423 - - 32,179 52,602
Loans and advances to
customers
- reverse repos 41,692 - - 12,440 54,132
- other 24,608 1,040 - 450,193 9,732 485,573
Debt securities 112,568 162 110,401 6,526 229,657
Equity shares 12,044 834 2,010 - 14,888
Settlement balances - - - 21,526 21,526
Derivatives 572,344 572,344
Intangible assets 14,744 14,744
Property, plant and
equipment 17,060 17,060
Deferred tax 4,988 4,988
Prepayments, accrued
income and other assets - - - 1,394 9,204 10,598
Assets of disposal groups 3,044 3,044
823,860 2,036 112,411 610,649 9,732 49,040 1,607,728

12. Financial instruments (continued)

At fair value
through profit or loss
Other
financial
instruments
Non
financial
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) (amortised
cost)
Finance
leases
assets/
liabilities
Total
30 September 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Liabilities
Deposits by banks
- repos 24,583 - 11,644 36,227
- other 34,754 - 43,616 78,370
Customer accounts
- repos 67,447 - 28,244 95,691
- other 14,459 5,836 413,365 433,660
Debt securities in issue 10,754 37,910 145,847 194,511
Settlement balances - - 17,983 17,983
Short positions 48,495 - 48,495
Derivatives 561,790 561,790
Accruals, deferred income
and other liabilities - - 1,629 471 20,838 22,938
Retirement benefit
liabilities - 1,855 1,855
Deferred tax - 1,913 1,913
Insurance liabilities - 6,628 6,628
Subordinated liabilities - 934 25,341 26,275
Liabilities of disposal
groups 2,516 2,516
762,282 44,680 687,669 471 33,750 1,528,852
Equity 78,876
1,607,728

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Classification (continued)

At fair value
through profit or loss
Other
financial
instruments
(amortised
Finance Non
financial
assets/
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) cost) leases liabilities Total
31 December 2010 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Assets
Cash and balances at
central banks - - - 57,014 57,014
Loans and advances to
banks
- reverse repos 38,215 - - 4,392 42,607
- other 26,082 - - 31,829 57,911
Loans and advances to
customers
- reverse repos 41,110 - - 11,402 52,512
- other 19,903 1,100 - 471,308 10,437 502,748
Debt securities 98,869 402 111,130 7,079 217,480
Equity shares 19,186 1,013 1,999 - 22,198
Settlement balances - - - 11,605 11,605
Derivatives 427,077 427,077
Intangible assets 14,448 14,448
Property, plant and
equipment 16,543 16,543
Deferred tax 6,373 6,373
Prepayments, accrued
income and other assets - - - 1,306 11,270 12,576
Assets of disposal groups 12,484 12,484
670,442 2,515 113,129 595,935 10,437 61,118 1,453,576

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Classification (continued)

Other
At fair value financial Non
through profit or loss instruments financial
(amortised Finance assets/
HFT (1) DFV (2) AFS (3) LAR (4) cost) leases liabilities Total
31 December 2010 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Liabilities
Deposits by banks
- repos 20,585 - 12,154 32,739
- other 28,216 - 37,835 66,051
Customer accounts
- repos 53,031 - 29,063 82,094
- other 14,357 4,824 409,418 428,599
Debt securities in issue 7,730 43,488 167,154 218,372
Settlement balances - - 10,991 10,991
Short positions 43,118 - 43,118
Derivatives 423,967 423,967
Accruals, deferred income
and other liabilities - - 1,793 458 20,838 23,089
Retirement benefit
liabilities - 2,288 2,288
Deferred tax - 2,142 2,142
Insurance liabilities - 6,794 6,794
Subordinated liabilities - 1,129 25,924 27,053
Liabilities of disposal
groups 9,428 9,428
591,004 49,441 694,332 458 41,490 1,376,725
Equity 76,851

1,453,576

Notes:

(1) Held-for-trading.

(2) Designated as at fair value through profit or loss.

(3) Available-for-sale.

(4) Loans and receivables.

There were no reclassifications in 2011 or 2010.

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Financial instruments carried at fair value

Detailed explanations of the valuation techniques are set out in the Group's 2011 Annual Report and Accounts. Certain aspects relating to the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value are discussed below.

Valuation reserves

When valuing financial instruments in the trading book, adjustments are made to mid-market valuations to cover bid-offer spread, liquidity and credit risk. CVA represent an estimate of the adjustment to fair value that a market participant would make to incorporate the credit risk inherent in counterparty derivative exposures.

The table below shows the valuation reserves and adjustments.

31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Credit valuation adjustments (CVA)
Monoline insurers 1,198 2,827 2,443
Credit derivative product companies (CDPCs) 1,034 1,233 490
Other counterparties 2,254 2,222 1,714
4,486 6,282 4,647
Bid-offer, liquidity and other reserves 2,704 2,712 2,797
7,190 8,994 7,444

Key points

31 December 2011 compared with 31 December 2010

  • The exposure to monolines reduced over the period primarily due to the restructuring of some exposures, partially offset by lower prices of underlying reference instruments. The CVA decreased due to the reduction in exposure partially offset by wider credit spreads.
  • The exposure to CDPCs has increased over the period, primarily driven by wider credit spreads of the underlying reference loans and bonds. The CVA increased in line with the increase in exposure.
  • The CVA held against exposures to other counterparties increased over the period primarily due to wider credit spreads, together with the impact of counterparty rating downgrades.

31 December 2011 compared with 30 September 2011

  • The exposure to monolines reduced over the period primarily due to the restructuring of some exposures. The CVA decreased in line with the reduction in exposure.
  • The exposure to CDPCs has decreased over the period, primarily driven by tighter credit spreads of the underlying reference loans and bonds together with a decrease in the relative value of senior tranches compared with the underlying reference portfolios. The CVA decreased in line with the decrease in exposure.
  • The CVA held against exposures to other counterparties increased slightly over the period with the impact of counterparty rating downgrades partially offset by tighter credit spreads.

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation reserves (continued)

Own credit

Until the first half of 2011, primary issuance spreads were used to calculate the own credit adjustment for senior debt issuances. As issuances by the Group declined significantly during 2011, the credit spread used for this adjustment was refined to reference more liquid secondary market senior debt issuance spreads, as they are considered to provide a fairer representation of fair value.

Debt securities in issue (2) Subordinated
liabilities
Cumulative own credit adjustment (1) HFT
DFV
Total
£m
£m
£m
DFV
£m
Total (3)
Derivatives
£m
£m
Total
£m
31 December 2011 882 2,647 3,529 679 4,208 602 4,810
30 September 2011 939 3,054 3,993 657 4,650 700 5,350
31 December 2010 517 1,574 2,091 325 2,416 534 2,950
Carrying values of underlying liabilities £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
31 December 2011 11.5 35.7 47.2 0.9 48.1
30 September 2011 10.8 37.9 48.7 0.9 49.6
31 December 2010 7.7 43.5 51.2 1.1 52.3

Notes:

(1) The own credit adjustment for fair value does not alter cash flows, is not used for performance management and is disregarded for regulatory capital reporting and will reverse over time as the liabilities mature.

(2) Consists of wholesale and retail note issuances.

(3) The reserve movement between periods will not equate to the reported profit or loss for own credit. The balance sheet reserves are stated by conversion of underlying currency balances at spot rates for each period whereas the income statement includes intra-period foreign exchange sell-offs.

  • Own credit adjustment increased significantly during the year reflecting widening credit spreads across all tenors.
  • Liabilities decreased due to maturities, redemptions, lower issuances and the appreciation of sterling against the euro.

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy

31 December 2011
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Assets £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Loans and advances to banks
- reverse repos - 34.7 - 34.7 - -
- collateral - 19.7 - 19.7 - -
- other - 0.2 0.4 0.6 40 (50)
- 54.6 0.4 55.0 40 (50)
Loans and advances to customers
- reverse repos - 53.6 - 53.6 - -
- collateral - 22.0 - 22.0 - -
- other - 3.4 0.4 3.8 80 (20)
- 79.0 0.4 79.4 80 (20)
Debt securities
- UK government 22.4 - - 22.4 - -
- US government 35.5 5.0 - 40.5 - -
- other government 53.9 8.7 - 62.6 - -
- corporate - 5.0 0.5 5.5 30 (30)
- other financial institutions 3.0 61.6 7.4 72.0 560 (180)
114.8 80.3 7.9 203.0 590 (210)
Equity shares 12.4 1.8 1.0 15.2 140 (130)
Derivatives
- foreign exchange - 72.9 1.6 74.5 100 (100)
- interest rate 0.2 420.8 1.1 422.1 80 (80)
- equities and commodities - 5.9 0.2 6.1 - -
- credit - 23.1 3.8 26.9 680 (400)
0.2 522.7 6.7 529.6 860 (580)
127.4 738.4 16.4 882.2 1,710 (990)
Proportion 14.4% 83.7% 1.9% 100.0%
Of which
Core 126.9 724.5 7.2 858.6
Non-Core 0.5 13.9 9.2 23.6
127.4 738.4 16.4 882.2

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy (continued)

31 December 2010
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Assets £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Loans and advances to banks
- reverse repos - 38.2 - 38.2 - -
- collateral - 25.1 - 25.1 - -
- other - 0.6 0.4 1.0 40 (20)
- 63.9 0.4 64.3 40 (20)
Loans and advances to customers
- reverse repos - 41.1 - 41.1 - -
- collateral - 14.4 - 14.4 - -
- other - 6.2 0.4 6.6 30 (40)
- 61.7 0.4 62.1 30 (40)
Debt securities
- UK government 13.5 - - 13.5 - -
- US government 31.0 7.0 - 38.0 - -
- other government 62.3 13.6 - 75.9 - -
- corporate - 6.5 1.2 7.7 210 (170)
- other financial institutions 3.5 64.8 7.0 75.3 540 (180)
110.3 91.9 8.2 210.4 750 (350)
Equity shares 18.4 2.8 1.0 22.2 160 (160)
Derivatives
- foreign exchange - 83.2 0.1 83.3 - -
- interest rate 1.7 308.3 1.7 311.7 150 (140)
- equities and commodities 0.1 4.9 0.2 5.2 - -
- credit - APS (2) - - 0.6 0.6 860 (940)
- credit - other - 23.2 3.1 26.3 320 (170)
1.8 419.6 5.7 427.1 1,330 (1,250)
130.5 639.9 15.7 786.1 2,310 (1,820)
Proportion 16.6% 81.4% 2.0% 100%
Of which
Core 129.4 617.6 7.2 754.2
Non-Core 1.1 22.3 8.5 31.9
130.5 639.9 15.7 786.1

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy (continued)

The following tables detail AFS assets included within total assets on pages 97 and 103.

31 December 2011
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Assets £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Debt securities
- UK government 13.4 - - 13.4 - -
- US government 18.1 2.7 - 20.8 - -
- other government 21.6 4.0 - 25.6 - -
- corporate - 2.3 0.2 2.5 10 (10)
- other financial institutions 0.2 39.3 5.5 45.0 310 (50)
53.3 48.3 5.7 107.3 320 (60)
Equity shares 0.3 1.3 0.4 2.0 70 (70)
53.6 49.6 6.1 109.3 390 (130)
Of which
Core 53.6 46.9 0.6 101.1
Non-Core - 2.7 5.5 8.2
53.6 49.6 6.1 109.3
31 December 2010
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Assets £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Debt securities
- UK government 8.4 - - 8.4 - -
- US government 17.8 4.4 - 22.2 - -
- other government 26.5 6.4 - 32.9 - -
- corporate - 1.4 0.1 1.5 20 (20)
- other financial institutions 0.4 41.4 4.3 46.1 280 (40)
53.1 53.6 4.4 111.1 300 (60)
Equity shares 0.3 1.4 0.3 2.0 60 (60)
53.4 55.0 4.7 113.1 360 (120)
Of which
Core 52.8 49.2 1.0 103.0
Non-Core 0.6 5.8 3.7 10.1
53.4 55.0 4.7 113.1

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy (continued)

31 December 2011
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Liabilities £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Deposits by banks
- repos - 23.3 - 23.3 - -
- collateral - 31.8 - 31.8 - -
- other - 2.4 - 2.4 - -
- 57.5 - 57.5 - -
Customer accounts
- repos - 65.5 - 65.5 - -
- collateral - 9.2 - 9.2 - -
- other - 10.8 - 10.8 20 (20)
- 85.5 - 85.5 20 (20)
Debt securities in issue - 45.0 2.2 47.2 80 (60)
Short positions 34.4 6.3 0.3 41.0 10 (100)
Derivatives
- foreign exchange - 80.5 0.4 80.9 30 (20)
- interest rate 0.4 405.5 1.1 407.0 80 (90)
- equities and commodities - 8.9 0.5 9.4 10 (10)
- credit - APS (2) - - 0.2 0.2 300 (40)
- credit - other - 24.9 1.6 26.5 80 (130)
0.4 519.8 3.8 524.0 500 (290)
Subordinated liabilities - 0.9 - 0.9 - -
Total 34.8 715.0 6.3 756.1 610 (470)
Proportion 4.6% 94.6% 0.8% 100.0%
Of which
Core 34.8 708.9 5.7 749.4
Non-Core - 6.1 0.6 6.7
Total 34.8 715.0 6.3 756.1

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy (continued)

31 December 2010
Level 3 sensitivity (1)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Favourable Unfavourable
Liabilities £bn £bn £bn £bn £m £m
Deposits by banks
- repos - 20.6 - 20.6 - -
- collateral - 26.6 - 26.6 - -
- other - 1.6 - 1.6 - -
- 48.8 - 48.8 - -
Customer accounts
- repos - 53.0 - 53.0 - -
- collateral - 10.4 - 10.4 - -
- other - 8.7 0.1 8.8 60 (60)
- 72.1 0.1 72.2 60 (60)
Debt securities in issue - 49.0 2.2 51.2 90 (110)
Short positions 35.0 7.3 0.8 43.1 20 (50)
Derivatives
- foreign exchange 0.1 89.3 - 89.4 - (10)
- interest rate 0.2 298.0 1.0 299.2 70 (90)
- equities and commodities 0.1 9.6 0.4 10.1 10 -
- credit - other - 25.0 0.3 25.3 40 (40)
0.4 421.9 1.7 424.0 120 (140)
Subordinated liabilities - 1.1 - 1.1 - -
Total 35.4 600.2 4.8 640.4 290 (360)
Proportion 5.5% 93.7% 0.8% 100%
Of which
Core 35.4 586.9 3.8 626.1
Non-Core - 13.3 1.0 14.3
Total 35.4 600.2 4.8 640.4

Notes:

(1) Sensitivity represents the favourable and unfavourable effect respectively on the income statement or the statement of comprehensive income due to reasonably possible changes to valuations using reasonably possible alternative inputs to the Group's valuation techniques or models. The level 3 sensitivities are calculated at a sub-portfolio level and hence these aggregated figures do not reflect the correlation between some of the sensitivities.

(2) Asset Protection Scheme.

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Valuation hierarchy (continued)

  • Total assets carried at fair value increased by £96.1 billion in the year to £882.2 billion at 31 December 2011, principally reflecting increases in derivative assets (£102.5 billion) and reverse repos of (£9.0 billion), partially offset by decreases in debt securities (£7.4 billion), equity shares (£7.0 billion) and derivative collateral (£2.2 billion).
  • Total liabilities carried at fair value increased by £115.7 billion, with increases in derivative liabilities (£100.0 billion), repos (£15.2 billion) and collateral (£4.0 billion), partially offset by decreases in debt securities in issue (£4.0 billion) and short positions (£2.1 billion).
  • Level 3 assets of £16.4 billion represented 1.9% (2010 £15.7 billion and 2.0%), an increase of £0.7 billion. This reflected transfers from level 2 to level 3 of £5.7 billion in the latter part of 2011 in light of liquidity in the market as well as maturity and sale of instruments. These transfers to level 3 principally related to structured credit assets in Non-Core and certain foreign exchange options and credit derivatives in GBM. £1.9 billion (derivatives £1.4 billion, securities £0.5 billion) was transferred from level 3 to level 2, based on the re-assessment of the impact and nature of unobservable inputs used in valuation models.
  • Level 3 liabilities increased to £6.3 billion in the year from £4.8 billion, mainly in credit derivatives due to market liquidity and resultant transfers from level 2 to level 3.
  • The favourable and unfavourable effects of reasonably possible alternative assumptions on level 3 instruments carried at fair value excluding APS credit derivatives were £2.0 billion (2010 - £1.7 billion) and £(1.4) billion (2010 - £(1.2) billion) respectively. Favourable and unfavourable sensitivities for APS credit derivatives were £0.3 billion (2010 - £0.9 billion) and £(0.1) billion (2010 - (0.9) billion). The change in APS sensitivities reflected the decrease in overall value of the Scheme.
  • There were no significant transfers between level 1 and level 2.

12. Financial instruments (continued)

Movement in level 3 portfolios

recorded in the
income statement
Level 3
transfers
Sales and
instruments held at
1 January
Gains or
Purchases
settle
31 December
2011
losses (1)
In
Out
and issues
ments FX (2)
2011
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Assets
Fair value through
profit or loss:
Loans and
advances
843
(15)
145
-
701
(920)
6
760
Debt securities
3,784
(177)
164
(380)
1,014
(2,175)
13
2,243
Equity shares
716
(46)
143
(33)
56
(258)
(5)
573
Derivatives
5,737
(511) 3,042 (1,441)
684
(834)
55
6,732
11,080
(749) 3,494 (1,854)
2,455
(4,187)
69
10,308
AFS:
Debt securities
4,379
5
2,097
(21)
98
(864)
3
5,697
Equity shares
279
61
82
-
7
(30)
(4)
395
4,658
66
2,179
(21)
105
(894)
(1)
6,092
Total
15,738
(683) 5,673 (1,875)
2,560
(5,081)
68
16,400
relating to
31 December
2011
£m
(11)
(61)
(43)
(522)
(637)
2
(4)
(2)
(639)
Liabilities
Deposits
84
(35)
-
(24)
-
(4)
1
22
(25)
Debt securities
in issue
2,203
(201)
948
(520)
688
(886)
(33)
2,199
(50)
Short positions
776
(71)
58
(3)
34
(506)
3
291
(207)
Derivatives
1,740
279
1,822
(240)
538
(366)
38
3,811
325
Other
1
-
-
(1)
-
-
-
-
-
Total
4,804
(28) 2,828
(788)
1,260
(1,762)
9
6,323
43
Net losses
(655)
(682)

Notes:

(1) Net (losses)/gains recognised in the income statement and statement of comprehensive income during the year were £(717) million and £62 million respectively.

(2) Foreign exchange movements.

13. Available-for-sale financial assets

The 2011 full year movement in available-for-sale financial assets reflects net unrealised gains on securities of £2,339 million, primarily as yields tightened on high quality sovereign bonds. This was partially offset by the transfer to profit or loss of realised gains primarily from routine portfolio management in Group Treasury of £545 million, along with disposals across several divisions. Impairment of Greek government debt led to the recycling of unrealised losses to the income statement.

The Q4 2011 movement mainly reflects net realised gains of £155 million. Unrealised gains in Q3 2011 principally related to gains in UK government bonds, reflecting flight to quality.

The 2011 full year and Q4 2011 tax charge include a £664 million write-off of deferred tax assets in The Netherlands.

Year ended
Available-for-sale reserve 31 December
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
31 December
2011
£m
Quarter ended
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
At beginning of period (2,037) (1,755) (292) (1,026) (1,242)
Unrealised losses on Greek sovereign debt (570) (437) (224) (202) (7)
Impairment of Greek sovereign debt 1,268 - 224 202 -
Other unrealised net gains/(losses) 2,339 616 45 1,207 (1,141)
Realised net (gains)/losses (782) (519) (155) (214) 16
Tax (1,175) 74 (555) (259) 337
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of
businesses (1) - (16) - - -
At end of period (957) (2,037) (957) (292) (2,037)

Note:

(1) Net of tax - £5 million credit.

In Q2 2011, as a result of the deterioration in Greece's fiscal position and the announcement of proposals to restructure Greek government debt, the Group concluded that the Greek sovereign debt was impaired. Accordingly, £733 million of unrealised losses recognised in available-for-sale reserves together with £109 million related interest rate hedge adjustments were recycled to the income statement. Further losses of £142 million and £224 million were recorded in Q3 2011 and Q4 2011 respectively, along with £60 of million related interest rate hedge adjustments in Q3 2011.

Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain are facing less acute fiscal difficulties and the Group's sovereign exposures to these countries were not considered impaired at 31 December 2011.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Contingent liabilities
Guarantees and assets pledged
as collateral security 23,702 1,330 25,032 24,518 1,417 25,935 28,859 2,242 31,101
Other contingent liabilities 10,667 245 10,912 10,916 215 11,131 11,833 421 12,254
34,369 1,575 35,944 35,434 1,632 37,066 40,692 2,663 43,355
Commitments
Undrawn formal standby
facilities, credit lines and other
commitments to lend 227,419 12,544 239,963 230,369 14,258 244,627 245,425 21,397 266,822
Other commitments 301 2,611 2,912 1,163 2,228 3,391 1,560 2,594 4,154
227,720 15,155 242,875 231,532 16,486 248,018 246,985 23,991 270,976
Total contingent liabilities
and commitments 262,089 16,730 278,819 266,966 18,118 285,084 287,677 26,654 314,331

14. Contingent liabilities and commitments

Additional contingent liabilities arise in the normal course of the Group's business. It is not anticipated that any material loss will arise from these transactions.

15. Litigation

The Group and certain Group members are party to legal proceedings, investigations and regulatory matters in the United Kingdom, the United States and other jurisdictions, arising out of their normal business operations. All such matters are periodically reassessed with the assistance of external professional advisers, where appropriate, to determine the likelihood of the Group incurring a liability. The Group recognises a provision for a liability in relation to these matters when it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle an obligation which has arisen as a result of past events, and for which a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

In many proceedings, it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable or to estimate the amount of any loss. Numerous legal and factual issues may need to be resolved, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before a liability can be reasonably estimated for any claim. The Group cannot predict if, how, or when such claims will be resolved or what the eventual settlement, fine, penalty or other relief, if any, may be, particularly for claims that are at an early stage in their development or where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages.

While the outcome of the legal proceedings, investigations and regulatory matters in which the Group is involved is inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it, appropriate provisions have been made in respect of legal proceedings, investigations and regulatory matters as at 31 December 2011.

15. Litigation (continued)

Other than as set out in these sections entitled "Litigation" and "Investigations, reviews and proceedings", no member of the Group is or has been involved in any governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which RBS is aware) during the 12 months prior to the date of this document which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on the financial position or profitability of RBS and/or the Group taken as a whole.

In each of the material legal proceedings and investigations, reviews and proceedings described below, unless specifically noted otherwise, it is not possible to reliably estimate with any certainty the liability, if any, or the effect these proceedings investigations and reviews, and any related developments, may have on the Group. However, in the event that any such matters were resolved against the Group, these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

Set out below are descriptions of the material legal proceedings involving the Group.

Shareholder litigation

RBS and certain of its subsidiaries, together with certain current and former individual officers and directors have been named as defendants in purported class actions filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York involving holders of RBS preferred shares (the "Preferred Shares litigation") and holders of American Depositary Receipts (the "ADR claims").

In the Preferred Shares litigation, the consolidated amended complaint alleges certain false and misleading statements and omissions in public filings and other communications during the period 1 March 2007 to 19 January 2009, and variously asserts claims under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The putative class is composed of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Group Series Q, R, S, T and/or U non-cumulative dollar preference shares issued pursuant or traceable to the 8 April 2005 US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) registration statement. Plaintiffs seek unquantified damages on behalf of the putative class. The defendants have moved to dismiss the complaint and briefing on the motions was completed in September 2011.

With respect to the ADR Claims, a complaint was filed in January 2011 and a further complaint was filed in February 2011 asserting claims under Sections 10 and 20 of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Group's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) between 1 March 2007 and 19 January 2009. On 18 August 2011, these two ADR cases were consolidated and lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed. On 1 November 2011, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint asserting ADR-related claims under Sections 10 and 20 of the Exchange Act and Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act. The defendants moved to dismiss the complaint in January 2012 and briefing is ongoing.

The Group has also received notification of similar prospective claims in the United Kingdom and elsewhere but no court proceedings have been commenced in relation to these claims.

The Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to the remaining and prospective claims and will defend itself vigorously.

15. Litigation (continued)

Other securitisation and securities related litigation in the United States

Recently, the level of litigation activity in the financial services industry focused on residential mortgage and credit crisis related matters has increased. As a result, the Group has become and expects that it may further be the subject of additional claims for damages and other relief regarding residential mortgages and related securities in the future.

To date, Group companies have been named as defendants in their various roles as issuer, depositor and/or underwriter in a number of claims in the United States that relate to the securitisation and securities underwriting businesses. These cases include actions by individual purchasers of securities and purported class action suits. Together, the individual and class action cases involve the issuance of more than US\$83 billion of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued primarily from 2005 to 2007. Although the allegations vary by claim, in general, plaintiffs in these actions claim that certain disclosures made in connection with the relevant offerings contained materially false or misleading statements and/or omissions regarding the underwriting standards pursuant to which the mortgage loans underlying the securities were issued. Group companies have been named as defendants in more than 30 lawsuits brought by purchasers of MBS, including five purported class actions. Among the lawsuits are six cases filed on 2 September 2011 by the US Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) as conservator for the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). The primary FHFA lawsuit pending in the federal court in Connecticut relates to approximately US\$32 billion of AAA rated MBS for which Group entities acted as sponsor/depositor and/or lead underwriter or co-lead underwriter.

FHFA has also filed five separate lawsuits (against Ally Financial Group, Countrywide Financial Corporation, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Nomura respectively) in which RBS Securities Inc. is named as a defendant by virtue of the fact that it was an underwriter of some of the securities at issue.

Other lawsuits against Group companies include two cases filed by the National Credit Union Administration Board (on behalf of US Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union) and eight cases filed by the Federal Home Loan Banks of Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Seattle and San Francisco.

The purported MBS class actions in which Group companies are defendants include New Jersey Carpenters Vacation Fund et al. v. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc et al.; New Jersey Carpenters Health Fund v. Novastar Mortgage Inc. et al.; In re IndyMac Mortgage-Backed Securities Litigation; Genesee County Employees' Retirement System et al. v. Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust 2006- 3, et al.; and Luther v. Countrywide Financial Corp. et al. and related cases.

Certain other institutional investors have threatened to bring claims against the Group in connection with various mortgage-related offerings. The Group cannot predict with any certainty whether any of these individual investors will pursue these threatened claims (or their outcome), but expects that several may. If such claims are asserted and were successful, the amounts involved may be material.

15. Litigation (continued)

In many of these actions, the Group has or will have contractual claims to indemnification from the issuers of the securities (where a Group company is underwriter) and/or the underlying mortgage originator (where a Group company is issuer). The amount and extent of any recovery on an indemnification claim, however, is uncertain and subject to a number of factors, including the ongoing creditworthiness of the indemnifying party.

With respect to the current claims described above, the Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to these claims and will continue to defend them vigorously.

Madoff

In December 2010, Irving Picard, as trustee for the bankruptcy estates of Bernard L. Madoff and Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC filed a claim against RBS N.V. for approximately US\$271 million. This is a clawback action similar to claims filed against six other institutions in December 2010. RBS N.V. (or its subsidiaries) invested in Madoff funds through feeder funds. The Trustee alleges that RBS N.V. received US\$71 million in redemptions from the feeder funds and US\$200 million from its swap counterparties while RBS N.V. 'knew or should have known of Madoff's possible fraud'. The Trustee alleges that those transfers were preferences or fraudulent conveyances under the US bankruptcy code and New York law and he asserts the purported right to claw them back for the benefit of Madoff's estate. A further claim, for US\$21.8 million, was filed in October 2011. The Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to these claims and intends to defend itself vigorously.

Unarranged overdraft charges

In the US, Citizens Financial Group, Inc ("Citizens") in common with other US banks, has been named as a defendant in a class action asserting that Citizens charges excessive overdraft fees. The plaintiffs claim that overdraft fees resulting from point of sale and automated teller machine (ATM) transactions violate the duty of good faith implied in Citizens' customer account agreement and constitute an unfair trade practice. The Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to these claims and will defend them vigorously.

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Certain members of the Group have been named as defendants in a number of class actions and individual claims filed in the US with respect to the setting of LIBOR. The complaints are substantially similar and allege that certain members of the Group and other panel banks individually and collectively violated US commodities and antitrust laws and state common law by manipulating LIBOR and prices of LIBOR-based derivatives in various markets through various means. The Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to these and prospective claims.

Summary of other disputes, legal proceedings and litigation

In addition to the matters described above, members of the Group are engaged in other legal proceedings in the United Kingdom and a number of overseas jurisdictions, including the United States, involving claims by and against them arising in the ordinary course of business. The Group has reviewed these other actual, threatened and known potential claims and proceedings and, after consulting with its legal advisers, does not expect that the outcome of any of these other claims and proceedings will have a significant effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings

The Group's businesses and financial condition can be affected by the fiscal or other policies and actions of various governmental and regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States and elsewhere. The Group has engaged, and will continue to engage, in discussions with relevant regulators, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, on an ongoing and regular basis regarding operational, systems and control evaluations and issues including those related to compliance with applicable anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and sanctions regimes. It is possible that any matters discussed or identified may result in investigatory or other action being taken by the regulators, increased costs being incurred by the Group, remediation of systems and controls, public or private censure, restriction of the Group's business activities or fines. Any of these events or circumstances could have a significant effect on the Group, its business, authorisations and licences, reputation, results of operations or the price of securities issued by it.

Political and regulatory scrutiny of the operation of retail banking and consumer credit industries in the United Kingdom, United States and elsewhere continues. The nature and impact of future changes in policies and regulatory action are not predictable and are beyond the Group's control but could have a significant effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

The Group is cooperating fully with the investigations and proceedings described below.

Retail banking

In the European Union, regulatory actions included an inquiry into retail banking initiated on 13 June 2005 in all of the then 25 member states by the European Commission's Directorate General for Competition. The inquiry examined retail banking in Europe generally. On 31 January 2007, the European Commission (EC) announced that barriers to competition in certain areas of retail banking, payment cards and payment systems in the European Union had been identified. The EC indicated that it will consider using its powers to address these barriers and will encourage national competition authorities to enforce European and national competition laws where appropriate. In addition, in late 2010, the EC launched an initiative pressing for increased transparency in respect of bank fees. The EC is currently proposing to legislate for the increased harmonisation of terminology across Member States, with proposals expected in 2012. The Group cannot predict the outcome of these actions at this stage and is unable reliably to estimate the effect, if any, that these may have on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

Multilateral interchange fees

In 2007, the EC issued a decision that while interchange is not illegal per se, MasterCard's current multilateral interchange fee (MIF) arrangements for cross border payment card transactions with MasterCard and Maestro branded consumer credit and debit cards in the European Union are in breach of competition law. MasterCard was required by the decision to withdraw the relevant crossborder MIF (i.e. set these fees to zero) by 21 June 2008.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

MasterCard appealed against the decision to the European Court of First Instance (subsequently renamed the General Court) on 1 March 2008, and the Group has intervened in the appeal proceedings. In addition, in summer 2008, MasterCard announced various changes to its scheme arrangements. The EC was concerned that these changes might be used as a means of circumventing the requirements of the infringement decision. In April 2009, MasterCard agreed an interim settlement on the level of cross-border MIF with the EC pending the outcome of the appeal process and, as a result, the EC has advised it will no longer investigate the non-compliance issue (although MasterCard is continuing with its appeal). The appeal was heard on 8 July 2011 by the General Court and judgment is awaited. This could be delivered in spring or summer 2012, although it may take longer.

Visa's cross-border MIFs were exempted in 2002 by the EC for a period of five years up to 31 December 2007 subject to certain conditions. On 26 March 2008, the EC opened a formal inquiry into Visa's current MIF arrangements for cross border payment card transactions with Visa branded debit and consumer credit cards in the European Union and on 6 April 2009 the EC announced that it had issued Visa with a formal Statement of Objections. At the same time Visa announced changes to its interchange levels and introduced some changes to enhance transparency. There is no deadline for the closure of the inquiry. However, on 26 April 2010 Visa announced it had reached an agreement with the EC as regards immediate cross border debit card MIF rates only and in December 2010 the commitments were finalised for a four year period commencing December 2010 under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003. The EC is continuing its investigations into Visa's cross border MIF arrangements for deferred debit and credit transactions.

In the UK, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has carried out investigations into Visa and MasterCard domestic credit card interchange rates. The decision by the OFT in the MasterCard interchange case was set aside by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in June 2006. The OFT's investigations in the Visa interchange case and a second MasterCard interchange case are ongoing. On 9 February 2007, the OFT announced that it was expanding its investigation into domestic interchange rates to include debit cards. In January 2010 the OFT advised that it did not anticipate issuing a Statement of Objections prior to the General Court's judgment, although it has reserved the right to do so if it considers it appropriate.

The outcome of these investigations is not known, but they may have a significant effect on the consumer credit industry in general and, therefore, on the Group's business in this sector.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

Payment Protection Insurance

Having conducted a market study relating to Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), in February 2007 the OFT referred the PPI market to the Competition Commission (CC) for an in-depth inquiry. The CC published its final report in January 2009 and announced its intention to order a range of remedies, including a prohibition on actively selling PPI at point of sale of the credit product (and for 7 days thereafter), a ban on single premium policies and other measures to increase transparency (in order to improve customers' ability to search and improve price competition). Barclays Bank PLC subsequently appealed certain CC findings to the CAT. In October 2009, the CAT handed down a judgment remitting the matter back to the CC for review. Following further review, in October 2010, the CC published its final decision on remedies following the remittal which confirmed the point of sale prohibition. In March 2011, the CC made a final order setting out its remedies with a commencement date of 6 April 2011. The key remedies come into force in two parts. A number came into force in October 2011, and the remainder come into force in April 2012.

The FSA conducted a broad industry thematic review of PPI sales practices and in September 2008, the FSA announced that it intended to escalate its level of regulatory intervention. Substantial numbers of customer complaints alleging the mis-selling of PPI policies have been made to banks and to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and many of these are being upheld by the FOS against the banks.

Following unsuccessful negotiations with the industry, the FSA issued consultation papers on PPI complaint handling and redress in September 2009 and in March 2010. The FSA published its final policy statement in August 2010. The new rules imposed significant changes with respect to the handling of mis-selling PPI complaints. In October 2010, the British Bankers' Association (BBA) filed an application for judicial review of the FSA's policy statement and of related guidance issued by the FOS. In April 2011 the High Court issued judgment in favour of the FSA and the FOS and in May 2011 the BBA announced that it would not appeal that judgment. The Group then recorded an additional provision of £850 million in respect of PPI. During 2011, the Group reached agreement with the FSA on a process for implementation of its policy statement and for the future handling of PPI complaints.

Personal current accounts

On 16 July 2008, the OFT published the results of its market study into Personal Current Accounts (PCAs) in the United Kingdom. The OFT found evidence of competition and several positive features in the personal current account market but believed that the market as a whole was not working well for consumers and that the ability of the market to function well had become distorted.

On 7 October 2009, the OFT published a follow-up report summarising the initiatives agreed between the OFT and personal current account providers to address the OFT's concerns about transparency and switching, following its market study. Personal current account providers will take a number of steps to improve transparency, including providing customers with an annual summary of the cost of their account and making charges prominent on monthly statements. To improve the switching process, a number of steps are being introduced following work with Bacs, the payment processor, including measures to reduce the impact on consumers of any problems with transferring direct debits.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

On 22 December 2009, the OFT published a further report in which it stated that it continued to have significant concerns about the operation of the personal current account market in the United Kingdom, in particular in relation to unarranged overdrafts, and that it believed that fundamental changes are required for the market to work in the best interests of bank customers. The OFT stated that it would discuss these issues intensively with banks, consumer groups and other organisations, with the aim of reporting on progress by the end of March 2010. On 16 March 2010, the OFT announced that it had secured agreement from the banks on four industry-wide initiatives, namely minimum standards on the operation of opt-outs from unarranged overdrafts, new working groups on information sharing with customers, best practice for PCA customers in financial difficulties and incurring charges, and PCA providers to publish their policies on dealing with PCA customers in financial difficulties. The OFT also announced its plan to conduct six-monthly ongoing reviews, fully to review the market again in 2012 and to undertake a brief analysis on barriers to entry.

The first six-monthly ongoing review was completed in September 2010. The OFT noted progress in the areas of switching, transparency and unarranged overdrafts for the period March to September 2010, as well as highlighting further changes the OFT expected to see in the market. On 29 March 2011, the OFT published its update report in relation to personal current accounts. This noted further progress in improving consumer control over the use of unarranged overdrafts. In particular, the Lending Standards Board had led on producing standards and guidance to be included in a revised Lending Code. The OFT stated it would continue to monitor the market and would consider the need for, and appropriate timing of, further update reports in light of other developments, in particular the work of the UK Government's Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). The OFT has indicated its intention to conduct a more comprehensive review of the market in 2012.

On 26 May 2010, the OFT announced its review of barriers to entry. The review concerned retail banking for individuals and small and medium size enterprises (up to £25 million turnover) and looked at products which require a banking licence to sell mortgages, loan products and, where appropriate, other products such as insurance or credit cards where cross-selling may facilitate entry or expansion. The OFT published its report in November 2010. It advised that it expected its review to be relevant to the ICB, the FSA, HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and to the devolved governments in the United Kingdom. The OFT did not indicate whether it would undertake any further work. The report maintained that barriers to entry remain, in particular regarding switching, branch networks and brands. At this stage, it is not possible to estimate the effect of the OFT's report and recommendations regarding barriers to entry upon the Group.

Private motor insurance

On 14 December 2011, the OFT launched a market study into private motor insurance, with a focus on the provision of third party vehicle repairs and credit hire replacement vehicles to claimants. The OFT aims to complete its market study by spring 2012. At this stage, it is not possible to estimate with any certainty the effect the market study and any related developments may have on the Group.

Independent Commission on Banking

Following an interim report published on 11 April 2011, the ICB published its final report to the Cabinet Committee on Banking Reform on 12 September 2011 (the "Final Report"). The Final Report makes a number of recommendations, including in relation to (i) the implementation of a ring-fence of retail banking operations, (ii) loss-absorbency (including bail-in) and (iii) competition.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

On 19 December 2011 the UK Government published a response to the Final Report (the "Response"), reaffirming its intention to accept the majority of the ICB's recommendations. The Government agreed that "vital banking services - in particular the taking of retail deposits - should only be provided by 'ringfenced banks', and that these banks should be prohibited from undertaking certain investment banking activities." It also broadly accepted the ICB's recommendations on loss absorbency and on competition.

The UK Government has now embarked on an extensive consultation on how exactly the general principles outlined by the ICB should be implemented, and intends to bring forward a White Paper in the spring of 2012. Its intention is to complete primary and secondary legislation before the end of the current Parliamentary term in May 2015 and to implement the ring-fencing measures as soon as practicable thereafter and the loss absorbency measures by 2019. The Government also stated its determination that changes to the account switching process should be completed by September 2013, as already scheduled.

With regard to the competition aspects, the Government recommended a number of initiatives aimed at improving transparency and switching in the market and ensuring a level playing field for new entrants. In addition, the Government has recommended that HM Treasury should consult on regulating the UK Payments Council and has confirmed that the Financial Conduct Authority's remit will include competition.

Until the UK Government consultation is concluded and significantly more detail is known on how the precise legislative and regulatory framework is to be implemented it is impossible to estimate the potential impact of these measures with any level of precision.

The Group will continue to participate in the debate and to consult with the UK Government on the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Final Report and the Response, the effects of which could have a negative impact on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

US dollar clearing activities

In May 2010, following a criminal investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) into its dollar clearing activities, Office of Foreign Assets Control compliance procedures and other Bank Secrecy Act compliance matters, RBS N.V. formally entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the DoJ resolving the investigation. Pursuant to the DPA, RBS N.V. paid a penalty of US\$500 million in 2010 and agreed to comply with the terms of the DPA and to co-operate fully with any further investigations. Payment of the penalty was made from a provision established in April 2007 when an agreement in principle to settle was first announced. On 20 December 2011, the DoJ filed a motion with the US District Court to dismiss the criminal information underlying the DPA, stating that RBS N.V. had met the terms and obligations of the DPA. The US District Court granted the DoJ's motion on the same day, and this matter is now fully resolved.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

Securitisation and collateralised debt obligation business

In the United States, the Group is also involved in other reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by federal and state governmental law enforcement and other agencies and selfregulatory organisations relating to, among other things, mortgage-backed securities, collateralised debt obligations (CDOs), and synthetic products. In connection with these inquiries, Group companies have received requests for information and subpoenas seeking information about, among other things, the structuring of CDOs, financing to loan originators, purchase of whole loans, sponsorship and underwriting of securitisations, due diligence, representations and warranties, communications with ratings agencies, disclosure to investors, document deficiencies, and repurchase requests.

By way of example, in September and October 2010, the SEC requested voluntary production of information concerning residential mortgage-backed securities underwritten by subsidiaries of RBS during the period from September 2006 to July 2007 inclusive. In November 2010, the SEC commenced a formal investigation and requested testimony from a former Group employee. The investigation is in its preliminary stages and it is difficult to predict any potential exposure that may result.

Also in October 2010, the SEC commenced an inquiry into document deficiencies and repurchase requests with respect to certain securitisations, and in January 2011, this was converted to a formal investigation. Among other matters, the investigation seeks information related to document deficiencies and remedial measures taken with respect to such deficiencies. The investigation also seeks information related to early payment defaults and loan repurchase requests.

In June 2009, in connection with an investigation into the role of investment banks in the origination and securitisation of sub-prime loans in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Attorney General issued subpoenas to various banks, including an RBS subsidiary, seeking information related to residential mortgage lending practices and sales and securitisation of residential mortgage loans. On 28 November 2011, an Assurance of Discontinuance between RBS Financial Products Inc. and the Massachusetts Attorney General was filed in Massachusetts State Court which resolves the Massachusetts Attorney General's investigation as to RBS. The Assurance of Discontinuance required RBS Financial Products Inc. to make payments totalling approximately US\$52 million.

In 2007, the New York State Attorney General issued subpoenas to a wide array of participants in the securitisation and securities industry, focusing on the information underwriters obtained from the independent firms hired to perform due diligence on mortgages. The Group completed its production of documents requested by the New York State Attorney General in 2008, principally producing documents related to loans that were pooled into one securitisation transaction. In May 2011, at the New York State Attorney General's request, representatives of the Group attended an informal meeting to provide additional information about the Group's mortgage securitisation business. The investigation is ongoing and the Group continues to provide requested information.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

In September 2010, RBS subsidiaries received a request from the Nevada State Attorney General requesting information related to securitisations of mortgages issued by three specific originators. The investigation by the Nevada State Attorney General is in the early stages and therefore it is difficult to predict the potential exposure from any such investigation.

US mortgages - Loan Repurchase Matters

The Group's Global Banking & Markets N.A. (GBM N.A.), has been a purchaser of non-agency US residential mortgages in the secondary market, and an issuer and underwriter of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). GBM N.A. did not originate or service any US residential mortgages and it was not a significant seller of mortgage loans to government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) (e.g., the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association).

In issuing RMBS, GBM N.A. generally assigned certain representations and warranties regarding the characteristics of the underlying loans made by the originator of the residential mortgages; however, in some circumstances, GBM N.A. made such representations and warranties itself. Where GBM N.A. has given those or other representations and warranties (whether relating to underlying loans or otherwise), GBM N.A. may be contractually required to repurchase such loans or indemnify certain parties against losses for certain breaches of such representations and warranties. In certain instances where it is required to repurchase loans or related securities, GBM N.A. may be able to assert claims against third parties who provided representations or warranties to GBM N.A. when selling loans to it; although the ability to recover against such parties is uncertain. Since January 2009, GBM N.A. has received approximately US\$75 million in repurchase demands in respect of loans made primarily from 2005 to 2008 and related securities sold where obligations in respect of contractual representations or warranties were undertaken by GBM N.A.. However, repurchase demands presented to GBM N.A. are subject to challenge and, to date, GBM N.A. has rebutted a significant percentage of these claims.

Citizens has not been an issuer or underwriter of non-agency RMBS. However, Citizens is an originator and servicer of residential mortgages, and it routinely sells such mortgage loans in the secondary market and to GSEs. In the context of such sales, Citizens makes certain representations and warranties regarding the characteristics of the underlying loans and, as a result, may be contractually required to repurchase such loans or indemnify certain parties against losses for certain breaches of the representations and warranties concerning the underlying loans. Since January 2009, Citizens has received approximately US\$41.2 million in repurchase demands in respect of loans originated primarily since 2003. However, repurchase demands presented to Citizens are subject to challenge and, to date, Citizens has rebutted a significant percentage of these claims.

Although there has been disruption in the ability of certain financial institutions operating in the United States to complete foreclosure proceedings in respect of US mortgage loans in a timely manner (or at all) over the last year (including as a result of interventions by certain states and local governments), to date, Citizens has not been materially impacted by such disruptions and the Group has not ceased making foreclosures.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

The Group cannot estimate what the future level of repurchase demands or ultimate exposure of GBM N.A. or Citizens may be, and cannot give any assurance that the historical experience will continue in the future. It is possible that the volume of repurchase demands will increase in the future. Furthermore, the Group is unable to estimate the extent to which the matters described above will impact it and future developments may have an adverse impact on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

LIBOR

The Group continues to receive requests from various regulators investigating the setting of LIBOR and other interest rates, including the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the US Department of Justice, the European Commission, the FSA and the Japanese Financial Services Agency. The authorities are seeking documents and communications related to the process and procedures for setting LIBOR and other interest rates, together with related trading information. In addition to co-operating with the investigations as described above, the Group is also keeping relevant regulators informed. It is not possible to estimate with any certainty what effect these investigations and any related developments may have on the Group.

Other investigations

The Federal Reserve and state banking supervisors have been reviewing the Group's US operations and RBS and its subsidiaries have been required to make improvements with respect to various matters, including enterprise-wide governance, US Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance, risk management and asset quality. The Group is in the process of implementing measures for matters identified to date.

On 27 July 2011, the Group consented to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order ("the Order") setting forth measures required to address deficiencies related to governance, risk management and compliance systems and controls identified by the Federal Reserve and state banking supervisors during examinations of the RBS plc and RBS N.V. branches in 2010. The Order requires the Group to strengthen its US corporate governance structure, to develop an enterprise-wide risk management programme, and to develop and enhance its programmes to ensure compliance with US law, particularly the US Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws, rules and regulations. The Group has established a strategic and remedial programme of change to address the identified concerns and is committed to working closely with the US bank regulators to implement the remedial measures required by the Order.

The Group's operations include businesses outside the United States that are responsible for processing US dollar payments. The Group is conducting a review of its policies, procedures and practices in respect of such payments and has initiated discussions with UK and US authorities to discuss its historical compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including US economic sanctions regulations. Although the Group cannot currently determine when the review of its operations will be completed or what the outcome of its discussions with UK and US authorities will be, the investigation costs, remediation required or liability incurred could have a material adverse effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

16. Investigations, reviews and proceedings (continued)

The Group may become subject to formal and informal supervisory actions and may be required by its US banking supervisors to take further actions and implement additional remedial measures with respect to these and additional matters. Any limitations or conditions placed on the Group's activities in the United States, as well as the terms of any supervisory action applicable to RBS and its subsidiaries, could have a material adverse effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

In April 2009, the FSA notified the Group that it was commencing a supervisory review of the acquisition of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. in 2007 and the 2008 capital raisings and an investigation into conduct, systems and controls within the Global Banking & Markets division of the Group. RBS and its subsidiaries co-operated fully with this review and investigation. On 2 December 2010, the FSA confirmed that it had completed its investigation and had concluded that no enforcement action, either against the Group or against individuals, was warranted. On 12 December 2011, the FSA published its report 'The Failure of the Royal Bank of Scotland', on which the Group engaged constructively with the FSA.

In July 2010, the FSA notified the Group that it was commencing an investigation into the sale by Coutts & Co of the ALICO (American Life Insurance Company) Premier Access Bond Enhanced Variable Rate Fund ("EVRF") to customers between 2001 and 2008 as well as its subsequent review of those sales. Subsequently, on 11 January 2011 the FSA revised the investigation start date to December 2003.

On 8 November 2011, the FSA published its Final Notice having reached a settlement with Coutts & Co, under which Coutts & Co agreed to pay a fine of £6.3 million. The FSA did not make any findings on the suitability of advice given in individual cases. Nonetheless, Coutts & Co has agreed to undertake a past business review of its sales of the product. This review will be overseen by an independent third party and will consider the advice given to customers invested in the EVRF as at the date of its suspension, 15 September 2008. For any sales which are found to be unsuitable, redress will be paid to the customers to ensure that they have not suffered financially.

On 18 January 2012, the FSA published its Final Notice having reached a settlement with UK Insurance Limited for breaches of Principle 2 by Direct Line and Churchill (the "Firms"), under which UK Insurance Limited agreed to pay a fine of £2.17 million. The Firms were found to have acted without due skill, care and diligence in the way that they responded to the FSA's request to provide it with a sample of their closed complaint files. The Firms' breaches of Principle 2 did not result in any customer detriment.

During March 2008, the Group was advised by the SEC that it had commenced a non-public, formal investigation relating to the Group's United States sub-prime securities exposures and United States residential mortgage exposures. In December 2010, the SEC contacted the Group and indicated that it would also examine valuations of various RBS N.V. structured products, including CDOs.

17. Other developments

Proposed transfers of a substantial part of the business activities of RBS N.V. to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (RBS plc)

On 19 April 2011, the Group announced its intention to transfer a substantial part of the business activities of RBS N.V. to RBS plc (the "Proposed Transfers"), subject, amongst other matters, to regulatory and other approvals, further tax and other analysis in respect of the assets and liabilities to be transferred and employee consultation procedures.

The Proposed Transfers will streamline the manner in which the GBM and GTS businesses of the Group interact with clients with simplified access to the GBM and GTS product suites.

It is expected that the Proposed Transfers will be implemented on a phased basis over a period ending 31 December 2013. The transfer of eligible business carried out in the UK, including certain securities issued by RBS N.V. was completed on 17 October 2011. A large part of the remainder of Proposed Transfers (including the transfers of certain securities issued by RBS N.V.) is expected to have taken place by the end of 2012.

Rating agencies

RBS and RBS plc's long-term and short-term ratings remained unchanged in the quarter, however in several of the Group's credit ratings have been updated during the quarter. During October 2011, both Moody's and Fitch have taken rating action on RBS and certain subsidiaries. On 7 October 2011, Moody's Investor Services downgraded the long term ratings of RBS, RBS plc and National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest), following the conclusion of its review into the systemic support assumptions from the UK government for 14 UK financial institutions. As a result of this review, 12 UK entities, including RBS, were downgraded. RBS was downgraded to A3 from A1 (long-term) and to P-2 from P-1 (short term), RBS plc and NatWest were downgraded to A2 from Aa3 (long-term); their P-1 short-term ratings were affirmed. These ratings will all have a negative outlook assigned due to Moody's opinion that the likelihood of government support will likely weaken further in the future, however, Moody's affirmed RBS's underlying Baa2 rating, noting that these downgrades did not reflect a worsening in the credit quality of UK financial institutions.

On 11 October 2011, following the reduction of support factored into the ratings of RBS, Moody's downgraded the ratings of Ulster Bank Ltd and Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd to Baa1 from A2 (long term) and to P-2 from P-1 (short term); Moody's also placed these ratings on negative outlook to be in line with the outlook of RBS plc. In addition, Moody's has placed the ratings of RBS N.V. on negative outlook, to match those of RBS plc.

On 13 October 2011, Fitch Ratings downgraded RBS and certain subsidiaries, having lowered its 'Support Rating Floors' for large UK banks. The ratings of RBS, RBS plc, NatWest, RBS International and RBS N.V. were reduced to A from AA- (long-term) and to F1 from F1+ (short term). The ratings of Citizens Financial Group, Ulster Bank Ltd and Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd were downgraded to A- from A+ (long term). The short term rating of Citizens Financial Group was affirmed at F1 following the downgrade of RBS plc, while the rating of Ulster Bank Ltd and Ulster Bank Ireland Limited was downgraded to F1 from F1+. Fitch assigned all of these ratings a stable outlook. The standalone ratings of RBS Group and RBS plc were unchanged by this action and were upgraded from C/D to C on 29 June 2011, corresponding to a bbb viability rating.

17. Other developments (continued)

On 29 November 2011, S&P announced the results of the reviews into a group of 37 of the largest global financial institutions, including all major UK banks. This review has resulted in a one notch downgrade of the long-term ratings of RBS plc and NatWest plc to A from A+, the short term rating of A-1 was affirmed. RBS was also downgraded one notch bringing the long-term rating to A- from A and the short term to A-2 from A-1. Standard & Poor's assigned all these ratings a stable outlook.

As a result of the 29 November rating action, S&P also lowered the ratings of RBS Securities Inc and RBS N.V. to A from A+ (long-term) and affirmed the A-1 short-term rating. Finally, S&P upgraded the long and short term ratings of RBS Citizens NA and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania to A from A- (longterm) and to A-1 from A-2 (short-term). Standard & Poor's assign all these ratings a stable outlook.

Further to its announcements on 11 and 7 of October 2011, on 15 February 2012 Moody's placed the ratings of RBS and certain subsidiaries on review for possible downgrade, along with 114 other European banks and 17 firms with capital markets activities. Moody's have placed Bank Standalone Financial Strength Rating (BFSR) of RBS plc on review for possible downgrade and this has driven a review for downgrade of the long-term ratings of RBS, RBS plc, NatWest plc, RBS N.V., Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd and Ulster Bank Ltd; along with the short-term ratings of RBS plc, NatWest plc and RBS N.V. The short-term ratings of RBS, Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd and Ulster Bank Ltd were affirmed. Moody's cite three reasons for this review across all of the affected firms; the adverse and prolonged impact of the euro area crisis; the deteriorating creditworthiness of euro-area sovereigns; and the substantial challenges faced by banks and securities firms with significant capital market activities.

18. Date of approval

This announcement was approved by the Board of directors on 22 February 2012.

19. Post balance sheet events

There have been no significant events between 31 December 2011 and the date of approval of this announcement which would require a change to or additional disclosure in the announcement.

Risk and balance sheet management

General overview

The following table defines the main types of risk managed by the Group and presents the key areas of focus for each risk in 2011.

Risk type Definition 2011 key areas of focus
Capital,
liquidity and
funding risk
The risk that the Group has
insufficient capital or is unable to
meet its financial liabilities as they
fall due.
Active run-down of capital intensive assets in
Non-Core and other risk mitigation left the Core
Tier 1 ratio strong at 10.6%, despite a £21 billion
uplift in RWAs from the implementation of CRD III
in December 2011. Refer to pages 130 to 135.
Maintaining the structural integrity of the Group's
balance sheet requires active management of
both asset and liability portfolios as necessary.
Strong term debt issuance and planned
reductions in the funded balance sheet enabled
the Group to strengthen its liquidity and funding
position as market conditions worsened. Refer to
pages 136 to 145.
Credit risk
(including
counterparty
risk)
The risk that the Group will incur
losses owing to the failure of a
customer to meet its obligation to
settle outstanding amounts.
During 2011, asset quality continued to improve,
resulting in loan impairment charges 21% lower
than in 2010 despite continuing challenges in
Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core) and
corporate real estate portfolios. The Group
continued to make progress in reducing key
credit concentration risks, with credit exposures
in excess of single name concentration limits
declining 15% during the year and exposure to
commercial real estate declining 14%. Refer to
pages 148 to 180.
Country risk The risk of material losses arising
from significant country-specific
events.
Sovereign risk increased in 2011, resulting in
rating downgrades for a number of countries,
including several eurozone members. This
resulted in an impairment charge recognised by
the Group in 2011 in respect of available-for-sale
Greek government bonds. In response the Group
further strengthened its country risk appetite
setting and risk management systems during the
year and brought a number of advanced
countries under limit control. This contributed to a
reduction in exposure to a range of countries.
Refer to pages 181 to 204.

General overview (continued)

Risk type Definition 2011 key areas of focus
Market risk The risk arising from changes in
interest rates, foreign currency,
credit spreads, equity prices and
risk related factors such as market
volatilities.
During 2011, the Group continued to manage
down its market risk exposure in Non-Core and
reduce the ABS trading inventory such that the
trading portfolio became less exposed to credit
risk. Refer to pages 205 to 209.
Insurance risk The risk of financial loss through
fluctuations in the timing,
frequency and/or severity of
insured events, relative to the
expectations at the time of
underwriting.
During 2011, focus on insurance risk appetite
resulted in the de-risking and significant re
pricing of certain classes of business and exiting
some altogether.
Operational
risk
The risk of loss resulting from
inadequate or failed processes,
people, systems or from external
events.
During 2011, the Group took steps to enhance its
management of operational risks. This was
particularly evident in respect of risk appetite, the
Group Policy Framework, risk assessment,
scenario analysis and statistical modelling for
capital requirements.
The level of operational risk remains high due to
the scale of structural change occurring across
the Group, the pace of regulatory change, the
economic downturn and other external threats,
such as e-crime.
Compliance
risk
The risk arising from non
compliance with national and
international laws, rules and
regulations.
During 2011, the Group managed the increased
levels of scrutiny and legislation by enlarging the
capacity of its compliance, anti-money laundering
and regulatory affairs teams and taking steps to
improve its operating model, tools, systems and
processes.
Reputational
risk
The risk of brand damage arising
from financial and non-financial
events arising from the failure to
meet stakeholders' expectations
of the Group's performance and
behaviour.
In 2011, an Environmental, Social and Ethical
(ESE) Risk Policy was developed with sector
ESE risk appetite positions drawn up to assess
the Group's appetite to support customers in
sensitive sectors including defence, oil and gas.
This also included the establishment of divisional
reputational risk committees.
Stakeholder engagement was broadened with
the implementation of formal sessions between
the Group Sustainability Commitee and relevant
advocacy groups and non-governmental
organisations.

General overview (continued)

Risk type Definition 2011 key areas of focus
Business risk The risk of lower-than-expected
revenues and/or higher-than
expected operating costs.
Business risk is incorporated within the Group's
risk appetite target for earnings volatility that was
set in 2011.
Pension risk The risk that the Group will have
to make additional contributions to
its defined benefit pension
schemes.
In 2011, the Group focused on improved stress
testing and risk governance mechanisms. This
included the establishment of the Pension Risk
Committee and the articulation of its view of risk
appetite for the various Group pension schemes.

Balance sheet management

Capital

The Group aims to maintain an appropriate level of capital to meet its business needs and regulatory requirements as capital adequacy and risk management are closely aligned. The Group's risk asset ratios calculated in accordance with Financial Services Authority (FSA) definitions are set out below.

Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) by risk 31 December
2011
£bn
30 September
2011
£bn
31 December
2010
£bn
Credit risk 344.3 346.8 385.9
Counterparty risk 61.9 72.2 68.1
Market risk 64.0 55.0 80.0
Operational risk 37.9 37.9 37.1
508.1 511.9 571.1
Asset Protection Scheme relief (69.1) (88.6) (105.6)
439.0 423.3 465.5
Risk asset ratios % % %
Core Tier 1 10.6 11.3 10.7
Tier 1 13.0 13.8 12.9
Total 13.8 14.7 14.0
  • The increase in market risk RWAs of £9 billion in Q4 2011 reflects the impact of the new CRD III rules.
  • APS relief decreased by £19.5 billion in Q4 2011, reflecting pool movements, assets moving into default and changes in risk parameters.

Balance sheet management: Capital (continued)

The Group's capital resources in accordance with FSA definitions were as follows:

31 December 30 September 31 December
2011 2011 2010
£m £m £m
Shareholders' equity (excluding non-controlling interests)
Shareholders' equity per balance sheet 74,819 77,443 75,132
Preference shares - equity (4,313) (4,313) (4,313)
Other equity instruments (431) (431) (431)
70,075 72,699 70,388
Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests per balance sheet 1,234 1,433 1,719
Non-controlling preference shares (548) (548) (548)
Other adjustments to non-controlling interests for regulatory purposes (259) (259) (259)
427 626 912
Regulatory adjustments and deductions
Own credit (2,634) (2,931) (1,182)
Unrealised losses on AFS debt securities 1,065 379 2,061
Unrealised gains on AFS equity shares (108) (88) (25)
Cash flow hedging reserve (879) (798) 140
Other adjustments for regulatory purposes 571 523 204
Goodwill and other intangible assets (14,858) (14,744) (14,448)
50% excess of expected losses over impairment provisions (net of tax) (2,536) (2,127) (1,900)
50% of securitisation positions (2,019) (2,164) (2,321)
50% of APS first loss (2,763) (3,545) (4,225)
(24,161) (25,495) (21,696)
Core Tier 1 capital 46,341 47,830 49,604
Other Tier 1 capital
Preference shares - equity 4,313 4,313 4,313
Preference shares - debt 1,094 1,085 1,097
Innovative/hybrid Tier 1 securities 4,667 4,644 4,662
10,074 10,042 10,072
Deductions
50% of material holdings (340) (303) (310)
Tax on excess of expected losses over impairment provisions 915 767 758
575 464 448
Total Tier 1 capital 56,990 58,336 60,124

Balance sheet management: Capital (continued)

31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£m £m £m
Qualifying Tier 2 capital
Undated subordinated debt 1,838 1,837 1,852
Dated subordinated debt - net of amortisation 14,527 14,999 16,745
Unrealised gains on AFS equity shares 108 88 25
Collectively assessed impairment provisions 635 728 778
Non-controlling Tier 2 capital 11 11 11
17,119 17,663 19,411
Tier 2 deductions
50% of securitisation positions (2,019) (2,164) (2,321)
50% excess of expected losses over impairment provisions (3,451) (2,894) (2,658)
50% of material holdings (340) (303) (310)
50% of APS first loss (2,763) (3,545) (4,225)
(8,573) (8,906) (9,514)
Total Tier 2 capital 8,546 8,757 9,897
Supervisory deductions
Unconsolidated Investments
- RBS Insurance (4,354) (4,292) (3,962)
- Other investments (239) (262) (318)
Other deductions (235) (311) (452)
(4,828) (4,865) (4,732)
Total regulatory capital (1) 60,708 62,228 65,289
2011
Movement in Core Tier 1 capital £m
At beginning of the year 49,604
Attributable loss net of movements in fair value of own debt (3,449)
Foreign currency reserves (363)
Decrease in non-controlling interests (485)
Decrease in capital deductions including APS first loss 1,128
Other movements (94)

At end of the year 46,341

Note:

(1) Total capital includes certain instruments issued by RBS N.V. Group that are treated consistent with the local implementation of the Capital Requirements Directive (including the transitional provisions of that Directive). The FSA formally confirmed this treatment in 2012.

Balance sheet management: Capital: Risk-weighted assets by division

Risk-weighted assets by risk category and division are set out below.

Credit Counterparty Market Operational Gross APS Net
risk risk risk risk RWAs relief RWAs
31 December 2011 £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
UK Retail 41.1 - - 7.3 48.4 (9.4) 39.0
UK Corporate 69.4 - - 6.7 76.1 (15.5) 60.6
Wealth 10.9 - 0.1 1.9 12.9 - 12.9
Global Transaction Services 12.4 - - 4.9 17.3 - 17.3
Ulster Bank 33.6 0.6 0.3 1.8 36.3 (6.8) 29.5
US Retail & Commercial 53.4 1.0 - 4.4 58.8 - 58.8
Retail & Commercial 220.8 1.6 0.4 27.0 249.8 (31.7) 218.1
Global Banking & Markets 45.1 39.9 50.6 15.5 151.1 (8.5) 142.6
Other 9.9 0.2 - 0.7 10.8 - 10.8
Core 275.8 41.7 51.0 43.2 411.7 (40.2) 371.5
Non-Core 65.6 20.2 13.0 (5.5) 93.3 (28.9) 64.4
Group before RFS MI 341.4 61.9 64.0 37.7 505.0 (69.1) 435.9
RFS MI 2.9 - - 0.2 3.1 - 3.1
Group 344.3 61.9 64.0 37.9 508.1 (69.1) 439.0
30 September 2011
UK Retail 41.4 - - 7.3 48.7 (9.9) 38.8
UK Corporate 69.0 - - 6.7 75.7 (16.9) 58.8
Wealth 11.0 - 0.1 1.9 13.0 - 13.0
Global Transaction Services 13.7 - - 4.9 18.6 - 18.6
Ulster Bank 32.0 0.5 0.1 1.8 34.4 (6.7) 27.7
US Retail & Commercial 51.0 1.1 - 4.4 56.5 - 56.5
Retail & Commercial 218.1 1.6 0.2 27.0 246.9 (33.5) 213.4
Global Banking & Markets 46.1 35.1 37.6 15.5 134.3 (10.4) 123.9
Other 8.8 0.3 - 0.7 9.8 - 9.8
Core 273.0 37.0 37.8 43.2 391.0 (43.9) 347.1
Non-Core 71.0 35.2 17.2 (5.5) 117.9 (44.7) 73.2
Group before RFS MI 344.0 72.2 55.0 37.7 508.9 (88.6) 420.3
RFS MI 2.8 - - 0.2 3.0 - 3.0
Group 346.8 72.2 55.0 37.9 511.9 (88.6) 423.3
31 December 2010
UK Retail 41.7 - - 7.1 48.8 (12.4) 36.4
UK Corporate 74.8 - - 6.6 81.4 (22.9) 58.5
Wealth 10.4 - 0.1 2.0 12.5 - 12.5
Global Transaction Services 13.7 - - 4.6 18.3 - 18.3
Ulster Bank 29.2 0.5 0.1 1.8 31.6 (7.9) 23.7
US Retail & Commercial 52.0 0.9 - 4.1 57.0 - 57.0
Retail & Commercial 221.8 1.4 0.2 26.2 249.6 (43.2) 206.4
Global Banking & Markets 53.5 34.5 44.7 14.2 146.9 (11.5) 135.4
Other 16.4 0.4 0.2 1.0 18.0 - 18.0
Core 291.7 36.3 45.1 41.4 414.5 (54.7) 359.8
Non-Core 91.3 31.8 34.9 (4.3) 153.7 (50.9) 102.8
Group before RFS MI 383.0 68.1 80.0 37.1 568.2 (105.6) 462.6
RFS MI 2.9 - - - 2.9 - 2.9
Group 385.9 68.1 80.0 37.1 571.1 (105.6) 465.5

Balance sheet management: Regulatory capital developments

Basel III and other regulatory impacts

Basel III

The rules issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), commonly referred to as Basel III, are a comprehensive set of reforms designed to strengthen the regulation, supervision, risk and liquidity management of the banking sector. In the EU they will be enacted through a revised Capital Requirements Directive referred to as CRD IV.

In December 2010, the BCBS issued the final text of the Basel III rules, providing details of the global standards agreed by the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervision, the oversight body of the BCBS and endorsed by the G20 leaders at their November 2010 Seoul summit. There are transition arrangements proposed for implementing these new standards as follows:

  • National implementation of increased capital requirements will begin on 1 January 2013;
  • There will be a phased five year implementation of new deductions and regulatory adjustments to Core Tier 1 capital commencing on 1 January 2014;
  • The de-recognition of non-qualifying non-common Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital instruments will be phased in over 10 years from 1 January 2013; and
  • Requirements for changes to minimum capital ratios, including conservation and countercyclical buffers, as well as additional requirements for Global Systemically Important Banks, will be phased in from 2013 to 2019.

The Group, in conjunction with the FSA, regularly evaluates its models for the assessment of RWAs ascribed to credit risk across various classes. This together with the changes introduced by CRD IV relating primarily to counterparty risk, is expected to increase RWA requirements by the end of 2013 by £50 billion to £65 billion. These estimates are still subject to change; a degree of uncertainty remains around implementation details as the guidelines are not finalised and must still be enacted into EU law. There could be other future changes and associated impacts from these model reviews.

Other regulatory capital changes

The Group is in the process of implementing changes to the RWA requirements for commercial real estate portfolios consistent with revised industry guidance from the FSA. This is projected to increase RWA requirements by circa £20 billion by the end of 2013, of which circa £10 billion will apply in 2012.

The Group is managing the changes to capital requirements from new regulation and model changes and the resulting impact on the common equity Tier 1 ratio, focusing on risk reduction and deleveraging. This is principally being achieved through the continued run-down and disposal of Non-Core assets and deleveraging in GBM as the business focuses on the most productive returns on capital.

Balance sheet management: Regulatory capital developments (continued)

Basel III and other regulatory impacts (continued)

The major categories of new deductions and regulatory adjustments which are being phased in over a 5 year period from 1 January 2014 include:

  • Expected loss net of provisions;
  • Deferred tax assets not relating to timing differences;
  • Unrealised losses on available-for-sale securities; and
  • Significant investments in non-consolidated financial institutions.

The net impact of these changes is expected to be manageable as the aggregation of these drivers is projected to be lower by 2014 and declining during the phase-in period.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk

Liquidity risk

Introduction

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its obligations, including financing maturities as they fall due. Liquidity risk is heavily influenced by the maturity profile and mix of the Group's funding base, as well as the quality and liquidity value of its liquidity portfolio.

Liquidity risk is dynamic, being influenced by movements in markets and perceptions that are driven by firm specific or external factors. Managing liquidity risk effectively is a key component of the Group's risk reduction strategy. The Group's 2011 performance demonstrates continued improvements in managing liquidity risk and reflects actions taken in light of an uncertain economic outlook, which resulted in improvements in key measures.

  • Deposit growth: Core Retail & Commercial deposits rose by 9%, and together with Non-Core deleveraging, took the Group loan to deposit ratio to 108%, compared with 118% at the end of 2010.
  • Wholesale funding: £21 billion of net term wholesale debt was issued in 2011 from secured and unsecured funding programmes, across a variety of maturities and currencies.
  • Short-term wholesale funding (STWF): The overall level of STWF fell by £27 billion to £102 billion, below the 2013 target of circa £125 billion.
  • Liquidity portfolio: The liquidity portfolio of £155 billion was maintained above the 2013 target level of £150 billion against a backdrop of heightened market uncertainty in the second half of the year and was higher than STWF. This represents a £53 billion cushion over STWF.

Funding issuance

The Group has access to a variety of funding sources across the globe, including short-term money markets, repurchase agreement markets and term debt investors through its secured and unsecured funding programmes. Diversity in funding is provided by its active role in the money markets, along with access to global capital flows through GBM's international client base. The Group's wholesale funding franchise is well diversified by currency, geography, maturity and type.

The Group has been a regular issuer in the debt capital markets in both secured and unsecured arrangements. 2011 net new term debt issuance was £21 billion, with 49% secured and 51% unsecured, of which 71% were public transactions and 29% were private.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Funding sources

The table below shows the Group's primary funding sources including deposits in disposal groups and excluding repurchase agreements.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
£m % £m % £m %
Deposits by banks
- central banks 3,680 0.5 3,568 0.5 6,655 0.9
- derivative cash collateral 31,807 4.6 32,466 4.4 28,074 3.8
- other 33,627 4.8 42,624 5.8 31,588 4.3
69,114 9.9 78,658 10.7 66,317 9.0
Debt securities in issue
- conduit asset backed commercial
paper (ABCP) 11,164 1.6 11,783 1.6 17,320 2.3
- other commercial paper (CP) 5,310 0.8 8,680 1.2 8,915 1.2
- certificates of deposits (CDs) 16,367 2.4 25,036 3.4 37,855 5.1
- medium-term notes (MTNs) 105,709 15.2 127,719 17.4 131,026 17.6
- covered bonds 9,107 1.3 8,541 1.1 4,100 0.6
- securitisations 14,964 2.1 12,752 1.7 19,156 2.6
162,621 23.4 194,511 26.4 218,372 29.4
Subordinated liabilities 26,319 3.8 26,275 3.6 27,053 3.6
Notes issued 188,940 27.2 220,786 30.0 245,425 33.0
Wholesale funding 258,054 37.1 299,444 40.7 311,742 42.0
Customer deposits
- cash collateral 9,242 1.4 10,278 1.4 10,433 1.4
- other 427,511 61.5 425,125 57.9 420,433 56.6
Total customer deposits 436,753 62.9 435,403 59.3 430,866 58.0
Total funding 694,807 100.0 734,847 100.0 742,608 100.0
Disposal group deposits included above
- banks 1 288 266
- customers 22,610 1,743 2,267
22,611 2,031 2,533
Short-term wholesale funding 31 December 31 September 31 December
2011 2011 2010
£bn £bn £bn
Deposits 32.9 41.8 34.7
Notes issued 69.5 99.8 95.0
STWF excluding derivative collateral 102.4 141.6 129.7
Derivative collateral 31.8 32.5 28.1
STWF including derivative collateral 134.2 174.1 157.8
Interbank funding excluding derivative collateral
- bank deposits
- bank loans
37.3
(24.3)
46.2
(33.0)
38.2
(31.3)
Net interbank funding 13.0 13.2 6.9

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Funding sources (continued)

Key points

  • Short-term wholesale funding excluding derivative collateral declined £27.3 billion in 2011, from £129.7 billion to £102.4 billion. This is £52.9 billion lower than the Group's liquidity portfolio. Deleveraging in Non-Core and GBM has led to the reduced need for funding.
  • The Group's customer deposits grew by approximately £7.1 billion in 2011.

The table below shows the Group's debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities by remaining maturity.

Debt securities in issue
Other Total
Conduit CP and Covered Subordinated notes
ABCP CDs MTNs bonds Securitisations Total liabilities issued
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m %
31 December 2011
Less than 1 year 11,164 21,396 36,302 - 27 68,889 624 69,513 36.8
1-3 years - 278 26,595 2,760 479 30,112 3,338 33,450 17.7
3-5 years - 2 16,627 3,673 - 20,302 7,232 27,534 14.6
More than 5 years - 1 26,185 2,674 14,458 43,318 15,125 58,443 30.9
11,164 21,677 105,709 9,107 14,964 162,621 26,319 188,940 100.0
30 September 2011
Less than 1 year 11,783 32,914 54,622 - 43 99,362 400 99,762 45.2
1-3 years - 795 28,456 2,800 26 32,077 2,045 34,122 15.5
3-5 years - 2 18,049 3,037 33 21,121 8,265 29,386 13.3
More than 5 years - 5 26,592 2,704 12,650 41,951 15,565 57,516 26.0
11,783 33,716 127,719 8,541 12,752 194,511 26,275 220,786 100.0
31 December 2010
Less than 1 year 17,320 46,051 30,589 - 88 94,048 964 95,012 38.7
1-3 years - 702 47,357 1,078 12 49,149 754 49,903 20.3
3-5 years - 12 21,466 1,294 34 22,806 8,476 31,282 12.8
More than 5 years - 5 31,614 1,728 19,022 52,369 16,859 69,228 28.2
17,320 46,770 131,026 4,100 19,156 218,372 27,053 245,425 100.0

Key point

• Debt securities in issue with a maturity of less than one year declined £25.1 billion from £94.0 billion at 31 December 2010 to £68.9 billion at 31 December 2011, largely due to the maturity of £20.1 billion of notes issued under the UK Government's Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS). The remaining notes issued under the CGS are due to mature in 2012, £15.6 billion in the first quarter of the year and £5.7 billion in the second quarter.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Funding sources (continued)

Long-term debt issuances

The table below shows debt securities issued by the Group with an original maturity of one year or more. The Group also executes other long-term funding arrangements (predominantly term repurchase agreements) which are not reflected in the following tables.

Year ended Quarter ended
31 December
2011
31 December
31 December
2010
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£m £m £m £m £m
Public
- unsecured 5,085 12,887 - - 775
- secured 9,807 8,041 3,223 1,721 1,725
Private
- unsecured 12,414 17,450 911 3,255 4,623
- secured 500 - 500 - -
Gross issuance 27,806 38,378 4,634 4,976 7,123
Buy backs (6,892) (6,298) (1,270) (2,386) (1,702)
Net issuance 20,914 32,080 3,364 2,590 5,421

Key points

  • In line with the Group's strategic plan, it has been an active issuer in recent years as it improved its liquidity and funding profile. Secured funding has increased as a proportion of total wholesale funding more recently as market dislocation and uncertainty over future regulatory developments have made unsecured markets less liquid.
  • As the Group delevers, with Non-Core and GBM third party assets decreasing and Retail & Commercial deposits increasing, net term debt issuance decreased from £32 billion in 2010 to £21 billion in 2011. The net requirement in 2012 is expected not to exceed £10 billion as further deleveraging should cover the differences.
  • The Group undertakes voluntary buy-backs of its privately issued debt in order to maintain client relationships and as part of its normal market making activities. These transactions are conducted at prevailing market rates.

The table below shows the original maturity of public long-term debt securities issued in the years ended 31 December 2011 and 2010.

Year ended 31 December 2011 1-3 years
£m
3-5 years
£m
5-10 years
£m
>10 years
£m
Total
£m
MTNs 904 1,407 1,839 935 5,085
Covered bonds - 1,721 3,280 - 5,001
Securitisations - - - 4,806 4,806
904 3,128 5,119 5,741 14,892
% of total 6 21 34 39 100
Year ended 31 December 2010
MTNs 1,445 2,150 6,559 2,733 12,887
Covered bonds - 1,030 1,244 1,725 3,999
Securitisations - - - 4,042 4,042
1,445 3,180 7,803 8,500 20,928
% of total 7 15 37 41 100

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Funding sources (continued)

Long-term debt issuance (continued)

The table below shows the currency breakdown of public and private long-term debt securities issued in the years ended 31 December 2011 and 2010.

Year ended 31 December 2011 GBP
£m
EUR
£m
USD
£m
AUD
£m
Other
£m
Total
£m
Public
- MTNs - 1,808 2,181 1,096 - 5,085
- covered bonds - 5,001 - - - 5,001
- securitisations 478 1,478 2,850 - - 4,806
Private 2,872 3,856 3,183 302 2,701 12,914
3,350 12,143 8,214 1,398 2,701 27,806
% of total 12 44 29 5 10 100
Year ended 31 December 2010
Public
- MTNs 1,260 3,969 5,131 1,236 1,291 12,887
- covered bonds - 3,999 - - - 3,999
- securitisations 663 1,629 1,750 - - 4,042
Private 2,184 10,041 2,879 174 2,172 17,450
4,107 19,638 9,760 1,410 3,463 38,378
% of total 11 51 25 4 9 100
  • In line with the Group's plan to diversify its funding mix, issuances were spread across G10 currencies and maturity bands, including £5.7 billion of public issuance with an original maturity of greater than 10 years.
  • The Group has issued approximately £2.8 billion since the year end, including a £1 billion public covered bond issuance and a US\$1.2 billion securitisation.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Secured funding

The Group has access to secured funding markets through own-asset securitisation and covered bond funding programmes to complement existing wholesale funding programmes and access to the repo markets. The Group monitors and manages encumbrance levels related to these secured funding programmes. This includes the potential encumbrance of Group assets that could be used in own asset securitisations and/or covered bonds that could be used as contingent liquidity.

Own-asset securitisations

The Group has a programme of own-asset securitisations where assets are transferred to bankruptcy remote SPEs funded by the issue of debt securities. The majority of the risks and rewards of the portfolio are retained by the Group and these SPEs are consolidated and all of the transferred assets retained on the Group's balance sheet. In some own-asset securitisations, the Group may purchase all the issued securities which are available to be pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements with major central banks.

Covered bond programme

Certain loans and advances to customers have been assigned to bankruptcy remote limited liability partnerships to provide security for issues of covered bonds by the Group. The Group retains all of the risks and rewards of these loans, the partnerships are consolidated, the loans retained on the Group's balance sheet and the related covered bonds included within debt securities in issue.

The following table shows:

  • (i) the asset categories that have been pledged to secured funding structures, including assets backing publicly issued own-asset securitisations and covered bonds; and
  • (ii) any currently unencumbered assets that could be substituted into those portfolios or used to collateralise debt securities which may be retained by the Group for contingent liquidity purposes.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Secured funding (continued)

31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Debt securities in issue Debt securities in issue
Held by Held by Held by Held by
third the third the
Assets parties (2) Group (3) Total Assets parties (2) Group (3) Total
Asset type (1) £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Mortgages
- UK (RMBS) 49,549 10,988 47,324 58,312 53,132 13,047 50,028 63,075
- UK (covered bonds) 15,441 9,107 - 9,107 8,046 4,100 - 4,100
- Irish 12,660 3,472 8,670 12,142 15,034 5,101 11,152 16,253
UK credit cards 4,037 500 110 610 3,993 34 1,500 1,534
UK personal loans 5,168 - 4,706 4,706 5,795 - 5,383 5,383
Other 19,778 4 20,577 20,581 25,193 974 23,186 24,160
106,633 24,071 81,387 105,458 111,193 23,256 91,249 114,505
Cash deposits (4) 11,998 13,068
118,631 124,261

Notes:

(1) Assets that have been pledged to the SPEs which itself is a subset of the total portfolio of eligible assets within a collateral pool.

(2) Debt securities that have been sold to third party investors and represents a source of external wholesale funding.

(3) Debt securities issued pursuant to own-asset securitisations where the debt securities are retained by the Group as a source of contingent liquidity where those securities can be used in repurchase agreements with central banks.

(4) Cash deposits, £11.2 billion from mortgage repayments and £0.8 billion from other loan repayments held in the SPEs, to repay debt securities issued by the own-asset securitisation vehicles.

Securities repurchase agreements

The Group enters into securities repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions under which it transfers securities in accordance with normal market practice. Generally, the agreements require additional collateral to be provided if the value of the securities falls below a predetermined level. Under standard terms for repurchase transactions in the UK and US markets, the recipient of collateral has an unrestricted right to sell or repledge it, subject to returning equivalent securities on settlement of the transaction.

Securities sold under repurchase transactions are not derecognised if the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. The fair value (which is equivalent to the carrying value) of securities transferred under such repurchase transactions included within debt securities on the balance sheet is set out below. All of these securities could be sold or repledged by the holder.

31 December 31 December
2011 2010
Assets pledged against liabilities £m £m
Debt securities 79,480 80,100
Equity shares 6,534 5,148

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Liquidity management

Liquidity risk management requires ongoing assessment and calibration of: how the various sources of the Group's liquidity risk interact with each other; market dynamics; and regulatory developments to determine the overall size of the Group's liquid asset buffer. In addition to the size determination, the composition of the buffer is also important. The composition is reviewed on a continuous basis in order to ensure that the Group holds an appropriate portfolio of high quality assets that can provide a cushion against market disruption and dislocation, even in the most extreme stress circumstances.

Liquidity portfolio

The table below shows the composition of the Group's liquidity portfolio (at estimated liquidity value). All assets within the liquidity portfolio are unencumbered.

31 December 2011 30 September
2011
31 December
2010
£m Average Period end
£m
Period end
£m
Period end
£m
Cash and balances at central banks 74,711 69,932 76,833 53,661
Treasury bills 5,937 - 4,037 14,529
Central and local government bonds (1)
- AAA rated governments and US agencies 37,947 29,632 29,850 41,435
- AA- to AA+ rated governments (2) 3,074 14,102 18,077 3,744
- governments rated below AA 925 955 700 1,029
- local government 4,779 4,302 4,700 5,672
46,725 48,991 53,327 51,880
Other assets (3)
- AAA rated 21,973 25,202 24,186 17,836
- below AAA rated and other high quality assets 12,102 11,205 11,444 16,693
34,075 36,407 35,630 34,529
Total liquidity portfolio 161,448 155,330 169,827 154,599

Notes:

  • (1) Includes FSA eligible government bonds of £36.7 billion at 31 December 2011 (30 September 2011 £36.8 billion; 31 December 2010 - £34.7 billion).
  • (2) Includes AAA rated US government guaranteed and US government sponsored agencies. The US government was downgraded from AAA to AA+ by S&P on 5 August 2011, although not by Moody's or Fitch. These securities are reflected here.
  • (3) Includes assets eligible for discounting at central banks.

Key point

• In view of the continuing uncertain market conditions, the liquidity portfolio was maintained above the Group's target level of £150 billion at £155.3 billion, with an average balance in 2011 of £161.4 billion. In anticipation of challenging market conditions, the composition was altered to become more liquid and conservative, as cash and balances at central banks rose to 45% of the total portfolio at 31 December 2011, from 35% at 31 December 2010.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

Liquidity and funding metrics

The Group continues to improve and augment liquidity and funding risk management practices, in light of market experience and emerging regulatory and industry standards. The Group monitors a range of liquidity and funding indicators. These metrics encompass short and long-term liquidity requirements under stress and normal operating conditions. Two key structural ratios are described below.

Loan to deposit ratio and funding gap

The table below shows quarterly trends in the Group's loan to deposit ratio and customer funding gap, including disposal groups.

Loan to
deposit ratio
Group
%
Core Group
£bn
%
31 December 2011 108 94 37
30 September 2011 112 95 52
30 June 2011 114 96 60
31 March 2011 116 96 67
31 December 2010 118 96 77

Note:

(1) Loans are net of provisions.

Key points

  • The Group's loan to deposit ratio improved 1,000 basis points to 108% during 2011, as loans declined and deposits grew.
  • The customer funding gap halved with Non-Core contributing £27 billion of the £37 billion reduction.

Net stable funding ratio

The table below shows the Group's net stable funding ratio (NSFR), estimated by applying the Basel III guidance issued in December 2010. The Group is aiming to meet the minimum required NSFR of 100% over the longer term. This measure seeks to show the proportion of structural term assets which are funded by stable funding, including customer deposits, long-term wholesale funding and equity. One of the main components of the ratio entails categorising retail and SME deposits as either 'more stable' or 'less stable'. The Group's NSFR will also continue to be refined over time in line with regulatory developments. It may be calculated on a basis that is not consistent with that used by other financial institutions.

Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Net stable funding ratio (continued)

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
ASF (1) ASF (1) ASF (1) Weighting
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn %
Equity 76 76 79 79 77 77 100
Wholesale funding > 1 year 124 124 125 125 154 154 100
Wholesale funding < 1 year 134 - 174 - 157 - -
Derivatives 524 - 562 - 424 - -
Repurchase agreements 129 - 132 - 115 - -
Deposits
- Retail and SME - more stable 227 204 170 153 172 155 90
- Retail and SME - less stable 31 25 25 20 51 41 80
- Other 179 89 239 120 206 103 50
Other (2) 83 - 102 - 98 - -
Total liabilities and equity 1,507 518 1,608 497 1,454 530
Cash 79 - 78 - 57 - -
Inter-bank lending 44 - 53 - 58 - -
Debt securities > 1 year
- central and local governments
AAA to AA- 77 4 84 4 89 4 5
- other eligible bonds 73 15 75 15 75 15 20
- other bonds 14 14 17 17 10 10 100
Debt securities < 1 year 45 - 54 - 43 - -
Derivatives 530 - 572 - 427 - -
Reverse repurchase agreements 101 - 102 - 95 - -
Customer loans and advances > 1 year
- residential mortgages 145 94 144 94 145 94 65
- other 173 173 176 176 211 211 100
Customer loans and advances < 1 year
- retail loans 19 16 20 17 22 19 85
- other 137 69 146 73 125 63 50
Other (3) 70 70 87 87 97 97 100
Total assets 1,507 455 1,608 483 1,454 513
Undrawn commitments 240 12 245 12 267 13 5
Total assets and undrawn commitments 1,747 467 1,853 495 1,721 526
Net stable funding ratio 111% 100% 101%

Notes:

(1) Available stable funding.

(2) Deferred tax, insurance liabilities and other liabilities.

(3) Prepayments, accrued income, deferred tax and other assets.

  • The NSFR increased by 10% in the year to 111%, with the funding cushion over term assets and undrawn commitments increasing from £4 billion to £51 billion.
  • Available stable funding decreased by £12 billion in the year as a result of a £30 billion reduction in long-term wholesale funding, including the move into short-term of approximately £20 billion of balances under the CGS. This was offset by a £19 billion increase in qualifying deposit balances, including classification of certain deposits as more stable, as some assumptions and methodologies were refined.
  • Term assets decreased in the year by £38 billion primarily reflecting Non-Core disposals and run-offs. The decrease in other assets is primarily due to the closures of certain equities businesses in Global Banking & Markets and other asset movements.

Balance sheet management: Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk in the banking book (IRRBB) value-at-risk (VaR) for the Group's retail and commercial banking activities at a 99% confidence level was as follows:

Average
£m
Period end
£m
Maximum
£m
Minimum
£m
31 December 2011 63 51 80 44
31 December 2010 58 96 96 30

A breakdown of the Group's IRRBB VaR by currency is shown below.

31 December
2011
31 December
2010
Currency £m £m
Euro 26 33
Sterling 57 79
US dollar 61 121
Other 5 10
  • Interest rate exposure at 31 December 2011 was considerably lower than at 31 December 2010 but average exposure was 9% higher in 2011 than in 2010.
  • The reduction in US dollar VaR reflects, in part, changes in holding period assumptions following changes in Non-Core assets.

Balance sheet management: Interest rate risk (continued)

Sensitivity of net interest income

The Group seeks to mitigate the effect of prospective interest rate movements, which could reduce future net interest income (NII) in the Group's businesses, whilst balancing the cost of such activities on the current net revenue stream. Hedging activities also consider the impact on market value sensitivity under stress.

The following table shows the sensitivity of NII, over the next twelve months, to an immediate upward or downward change of 100 basis points to all interest rates. In addition, the table includes the impact of a gradual 400 basis point steepening and a gradual 300 basis point flattening of the yield curve at tenors greater than a year. This scenario differs from that applied in the previous year in both the severity of the rate shift and the tenors to which this is applied.

31 December
2011
30 September
2011
31 December
2010
Potential favourable/(adverse) impact on NII £m £m £m
+ 100 basis points shift in yield curves 244 188 232
– 100 basis points shift in yield curves (183) (74) (352)
Bear steepener 443 487
Bull flattener (146) (248)

Key points

  • The Group's interest rate exposure remains slightly asset sensitive, driven in part by changes to underlying business assumptions as rates rise. The impact of the steepening and flattening scenarios is largely driven by the investment of net free reserves.
  • The reported sensitivity will vary over time due to a number of factors such as market conditions and strategic changes to the balance sheet mix and should not therefore be considered predictive of future performance.

Structural foreign currency exposures

The Group does not maintain material non-trading open currency positions, other than the structural foreign currency translation exposures arising from its investments in foreign subsidiaries and associated undertakings and their related currency funding. The Group's structural foreign currency exposure was £24.2 billion and £17.9 billion before and after economic hedges respectively, broadly unchanged from the 2010 position.

Risk management: Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss due to the failure of a customer to meet its obligation to settle outstanding amounts. The quantum and nature of credit risk assumed across the Group's different businesses vary considerably, while the overall credit risk outcome usually exhibits a high degree of correlation with the macroeconomic environment.

Loans and advances to customers by sector

In the table below loans and advances exclude disposal groups and repurchase agreements. Totals for disposal groups are also presented.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core (1) Total Core Core (1) Total Core Core (1) Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Central and local government 8,359 1,383 9,742 8,097 1,507 9,604 6,781 1,671 8,452
Finance 46,452 3,229 49,681 48,094 4,884 52,978 46,910 7,651 54,561
Residential mortgages 138,509 5,102 143,611 143,941 5,319 149,260 140,359 6,142 146,501
Personal lending 31,067 1,556 32,623 32,152 2,810 34,962 33,581 3,891 37,472
Property 38,704 38,064 76,768 44,072 40,628 84,700 42,455 47,651 90,106
Construction 6,781 2,672 9,453 7,992 3,062 11,054 8,680 3,352 12,032
Manufacturing 23,201 4,931 28,132 24,816 5,233 30,049 25,797 6,520 32,317
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 21,314 2,339 23,653 22,207 2,427 24,634 21,974 3,191 25,165
- transport and storage 16,454 5,477 21,931 16,236 6,009 22,245 15,946 8,195 24,141
- health, education and
Recreation 13,273 1,419 14,692 16,224 1,515 17,739 17,456 1,865 19,321
- hotels and restaurants 7,143 1,161 8,304 7,841 1,358 9,199 8,189 1,492 9,681
- utilities 6,543 1,849 8,392 8,212 1,725 9,937 7,098 2,110 9,208
- other 24,228 3,772 28,000 24,744 4,479 29,223 24,464 5,530 29,994
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,471 129 3,600 3,767 135 3,902 3,758 135 3,893
Finance leases and
instalment credit 8,440 6,059 14,499 8,404 7,467 15,871 8,321 8,529 16,850
Gross loans including disposal
groups 414,063 80,005 494,068 417,510 90,389 507,899 412,851 113,001 525,852
Loan impairment provisions (8,292) (11,468) (19,760) (8,748) (11,849) (20,597) (7,740) (10,315) (18,055)
Loan impairment provisions
including disposal groups (9,065) (11,486) (20,551) (8,748) (11,867) (20,615) (7,740) (10,351) (18,091)
Net loans 386,322 67,790 454,112 408,712 76,861 485,573 404,860 97,888 502,748
groups 404,998 68,519 473,517 408,762 78,522 487,284 405,111 102,650 507,761
Interest accruals
Gross loans
Net loans including disposal
675
394,614
116 791
79,258 473,872
661
417,460
152 813
88,710 506,170
831 278
412,600 108,203 520,803
1,109

Note:

(1) Non-Core includes amounts relating to RFS MI of £0.4 billion at 31 December 2011 (30 September 2011 - £0.6 billion; 31 December 2010 - £0.6 billion)

  • Gross loans and advances including disposal groups decreased by £31.8 billion during 2011 and £13.8 billion in Q4 2011, predominantly in Non-Core.
  • Non-Core disposal strategy led to gross loans decreasing by £33 billion (Q4 2011 £10.4 billion). Property accounted for 40% of this decrease.

Risk management: Credit risk: Risk elements in lending

The table below analyses the Group's risk elements in lending (REIL) without taking account of any security held which could reduce the eventual loss should it occur, nor of any provisions. REIL is split into UK and overseas, based on the location of the lending office.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Impaired loans (1)
- UK 8,291 7,284 15,575 9,222 7,471 16,693 8,575 7,835 16,410
- Overseas 7,015 16,157 23,172 6,695 16,274 22,969 4,936 14,355 19,291
15,306 23,441 38,747 15,917 23,745 39,662 13,511 22,190 35,701
Accruing loans past due
90 days or more (2)
- UK 1,192 508 1,700 1,648 580 2,228 1,434 939 2,373
- Overseas 364 34 398 580 256 836 262 262 524
1,556 542 2,098 2,228 836 3,064 1,696 1,201 2,897
Total REIL 16,862 23,983 40,845 18,145 24,581 42,726 15,207 23,391 38,598
REIL including disposal groups 42,394 42,752 38,651
REIL as a % of gross
loans and advances (3)
4.4% 30.1% 8.6% 4.3% 27.4% 8.4% 3.7% 20.8% 7.3%
Provisions as a % of REIL 50% 48% 49% 49% 48% 49% 52% 44% 47%

Notes:

(1) All loans against which an impairment provision is held.

(2) Loans where an impairment event has taken place but no impairment provision recognised. This category is used for fully collateralised non-revolving credit facilities.

(3) Includes disposal groups and excludes reverse repos.

Key points

  • REIL, including disposal groups, increased by £3.7 billion in the year.
  • Ulster Bank Group's non-performing loans increased significantly by £3.5 billion (Core £1.9 billion; Non-Core - £1.6 billion). This principally related to residential mortgages (£0.6 billion, 39% increase) and commercial real estate (£2.4 billion, 25% increase), reflecting the continued deteriorating conditions in property sectors in Ireland. The Non-Core REIL increase related to Ulster Bank was partially offset by run-off in other Non-Core donating divisions in the year.
  • UK Corporate REIL increased by £1.0 billion, principally due to extended work-out periods associated with corporate loan restructuring arrangements.
  • REIL declined marginally (£0.4 billion) during Q4 2011 principally reflecting Non-Core GBM write-offs.
  • Disposal groups REIL at 31 December 2011 of £1.5 billion comprised impaired loans of £1.3 billion; and accruing loans of £0.2 billion in relation to the UK branch based businesses, of which £1 billion was in UK Corporate and £0.5 billion in UK Retail.

For sector, geography and divisional analysis of loans, REIL and impairments, refer to Appendix 3.

Risk management: Credit risk: Loans, REIL and impairments by division

The following tables analyse loans and advances to banks and customers (excluding reverse repos) and related REIL, provisions, impairments, write-offs and coverage ratios by division.

REIL as a %
Gross Gross of gross Provisions YTD YTD
loans loans customer as a % Impairment Amounts
banks customers REIL Provisions loans of REIL charge written-off
31 December 2011
UK Retail
£m
628
£m
103,377
£m
4,087
£m
2,344
%
4.0
%
57
£m
788
£m
823
UK Corporate 672 96,647 3,972 1,608 4.1 40 782 653
Wealth 2,422 16,913 211 81 1.2 38 25 11
Global Transaction Services 3,464 15,767 218 234 1.4 107 166 79
Ulster Bank 2,079 34,052 5,523 2,749 16.2 50 1,384 124
US Retail & Commercial 208 51,436 1,006 451 2.0 45 247 371
Retail & Commercial 9,473 318,192 15,017 7,467 4.7 50 3,392 2,061
Global Banking & Markets 30,072 75,493 1,845 947 2.4 51 11 76
RBS Insurance and other 3,829 929 - - - - - -
Core 43,374 394,614 16,862 8,414 4.3 50 3,403 2,137
Non-Core 619 79,258 23,983 11,469 30.3 48 3,838 2,390
Group 43,993 473,872 40,845 19,883 8.6 49 7,241 4,527
Total including disposal groups 44,080 494,068 42,394 20,674 8.6 49 7,241 4,527
30 September 2011
UK Retail 434 110,086 4,651 2,661 4.2 57 597 658
UK Corporate 70 109,977 4,904 1,961 4.5 40 549 498
Wealth 2,326 17,037 198 71 1.2 36 13 8
Global Transaction Services 3,707 19,545 240 201 1.2 84 119 66
Ulster Bank 2,791 35,546 5,556 2,567 15.6 46 1,057 63
US Retail & Commercial 186 49,477 955 469 1.9 49 193 267
Retail & Commercial 9,514 341,668 16,504 7,930 4.8 48 2,528 1,560
Global Banking & Markets 35,900 73,921 1,641 943 2.2 57 (49) 51
RBS Insurance and other 6,604 1,871 - - - - - -
Core 52,018 417,460 18,145 8,873 4.3 49 2,479 1,611
Non-Core 709 88,710 24,581 11,850 27.7 48 3,108 1,409
Group 52,727 506,170 42,726 20,723 8.4 49 5,587 3,020
Total including disposal groups 52,822 507,899 42,752 20,741 8.4 49 5,587 3,020
31 December 2010
UK Retail 408 108,405 4,620 2,741 4.3 59 1,160 1,135
UK Corporate 72 111,672 3,967 1,732 3.6 44 761 349
Wealth 2,220 16,130 223 66 1.4 30 18 9
Global Transaction Services 3,047 14,437 146 147 1.0 101 8 49
Ulster Bank 2,928 36,858 3,619 1,633 9.8 45 1,161 48
US Retail & Commercial 145 48,516 913 505 1.9 55 483 547
Retail & Commercial 8,820 336,018 13,488 6,824 4.0 51 3,591 2,137
Global Banking & Markets 46,073 75,981 1,719 1,042 2.3 61 146 87
RBS Insurance and other 2,140 601 - - - - - -
Core 57,033 412,600 15,207 7,866 3.7 52 3,737 2,224
Non-Core 1,003 108,203 23,391 10,316 21.6 44 5,407 3,818
Group 58,036 520,803 38,598 18,182 7.4 47 9,144 6,042
Total including disposal groups 58,687 525,852 38,651 18,218 7.3 47 9,144 6,042

Risk management: Credit risk: Risk elements in lending

The tables below details the movement in REIL for the year ended 31 December 2011.

Impaired loans Other loans (1) REIL
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 1 January 2011 13,511 22,190 35,701 1,696 1,201 2,897 15,207 23,391 38,598
Transfers to disposal groups (1,287) - (1,287) (238) - (238) (1,525) - (1,525)
Intra-group transfers 300 (300) - 149 (149) - 449 (449) -
Currency translation and
other adjustments (158) (496) (654) (14) - (14) (172) (496) (668)
Additions 8,379 8,698 17,077 2,585 1,059 3,644 10,964 9,757 20,721
Transfers 645 381 1,026 (362) (352) (714) 283 29 312
Disposals and restructurings (407) (1,470) (1,877) (9) (97) (106) (416) (1,567) (1,983)
Repayments (3,540) (3,172) (6,712) (2,251) (1,120) (3,371) (5,791) (4,292) (10,083)
Amounts written-off (2,137) (2,390) (4,527) - - - (2,137) (2,390) (4,527)
At 31 December 2011 15,306 23,441 38,747 1,556 542 2,098 16,862 23,983 40,845
Impaired loans Other loans (1) REIL
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 1 January 2011 13,511 22,190 35,701 1,696 1,201 2,897 15,207 23,391 38,598
Intra-group transfers 300 (300) - 81 (81) - 381 (381) -
Currency translation and
other adjustments - (167) (167) (5) (3) (8) (5) (170) (175)
Additions 6,261 6,910 13,171 2,143 827 2,970 8,404 7,737 16,141
Transfers 400 312 712 (217) (235) (452) 183 77 260
Disposals and restructurings (373) (1,206) (1,579) (9) (97) (106) (382) (1,303) (1,685)
Repayments (2,571) (2,585) (5,156) (1,461) (776) (2,237) (4,032) (3,361) (7,393)
Amounts written-off (1,611) (1,409) (3,020) - - - (1,611) (1,409) (3,020)
At 30 September 2011 15,917 23,745 39,662 2,228 836 3,064 18,145 24,581 42,726
Transfers to disposal groups (1,287) - (1,287) (238) - (238) (1,525) - (1,525)
Intra-group transfers - - - 68 (68) - 68 (68) -
Currency translation and
other adjustments (158) (329) (487) (9) 3 (6) (167) (326) (493)
Additions 2,118 1,788 3,906 442 232 674 2,560 2,020 4,580
Transfers 245 69 314 (145) (117) (262) 100 (48) 52
Disposals and restructurings (34) (264) (298) (34) (264) (298)
Repayments (969) (587) (1,556) (790) (344) (1,134) (1,759) (931) (2,690)
Amounts written-off (526) (981) (1,507) - - - (526) (981) (1,507)
At 31 December 2011 15,306 23,441 38,747 1,556 542 2,098 16,862 23,983 40,845

Note:

(1) Accruing loans past due 90 days or more.

Risk management: Credit risk: Impairment provisions

Movement in loan impairment provisions

The following tables show the movement in impairment provisions for loans and advances to banks and customers.

Year ended
31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non
Core Core RFS MI Total Core Core RFS MI Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At beginning of period 7,866 10,316 - 18,182 6,921 8,252 2,110 17,283
Transfers to disposal groups (773) - - (773) - (72) - (72)
Intra-group transfers 177 (177) - - (568) 568 - -
Currency translation and
other adjustments (76) (207) - (283) (16) 59 - 43
Disposals - - 8 8 - (20) (2,152) (2,172)
Amounts written-off (2,137) (2,390) - (4,527) (2,224) (3,818) - (6,042)
Recoveries of amounts
previously written-off 167 360 - 527 213 198 - 411
Charge to income statement
- continued 3,403 3,838 - 7,241 3,737 5,407 - 9,144
- discontinued - - (8) (8) - - 42 42
Unwind of discount (213) (271) - (484) (197) (258) - (455)
At end of period 8,414 11,469 - 19,883 7,866 10,316 - 18,182
Quarter ended
31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non RFS Non Non RFS
Core Core MI Total Core Core Total Core Core MI Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At beginning of period 8,873 11,850 - 20,723 8,752 12,007 20,759 7,791 9,879 - 17,670
Transfers to disposal
groups (773) - - (773) - - - - (5) - (5)
Intra-group transfers - - - - - - - (217) 217 - -
Currency translation and
other adjustments (75) (162) - (237) (90) (285) (375) 147 (235) - (88)
Disposals - - (3) (3) - - - - (3) (3) (6)
Amounts written-off (526) (981) - (1,507) (593) (497) (1,090) (745) (771) - (1,516)
Recoveries of amounts
previously written-off 48 99 - 147 39 55 94 29 67 - 96
Charge to income
statement
- continued 924 730 - 1,654 817 635 1,452 912 1,243 - 2,155
- discontinued - - 3 3 - - - - - 3 3
Unwind of discount (57) (67) - (124) (52) (65) (117) (51) (76) - (127)
At end of period 8,414 11,469 - 19,883 8,873 11,850 20,723 7,866 10,316 - 18,182
  • Impairment provisions excluding £0.8 billion relating to disposal groups increased by £1.7 billion during 2011.
  • Ulster Bank Group's provisions increased by £3.1 billion during the year (Core £1.1 billion; Non-Core - £2.0 billion), with REIL coverage increasing to 53% (Core - 50%; Non-Core - 54%) from 44% at the end of 2010, predominantly reflecting the deterioration in value of the commercial real estate development portfolio.

Risk management: Credit risk: Impairment provisions (continued)

Movement in loan impairment provisions (continued)

The following table analyses impairment provisions in respect of loans and advances to banks and customers.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Latent loss 1,339 647 1,986 1,516 751 2,267 1,653 997 2,650
Collectively assessed 4,279 861 5,140 4,675 1,114 5,789 4,139 1,157 5,296
Individually assessed 2,674 9,960 12,634 2,557 9,984 12,541 1,948 8,161 10,109
Customer loans 8,292 11,468 19,760 8,748 11,849 20,597 7,740 10,315 18,055
Bank loans 122 1 123 125 1 126 126 1 127
Total provisions 8,414 11,469 19,883 8,873 11,850 20,723 7,866 10,316 18,182
% of loans (1) 2.2% 14.4% 4.2% 2.1% 13.2% 4.1% 1.9% 9.1% 3.4%

Note:

(1) Customer provisions as a percentage of gross loans and advances to customers including assets of disposal groups and excluding reverse repos.

Impairment charge

The following table analyses the impairment charge for loans and securities.

Year ended
31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Core Non-Core RFS MI Total Core Non-Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Latent loss (252) (293) - (545) (5) (116) (121)
Collectively assessed 2,075 516 - 2,591 2,258 812 3,070
Individually assessed 1,580 3,615 - 5,195 1,489 4,719 6,208
Customer loans 3,403 3,838 - 7,241 3,742 5,415 9,157
Bank loans - - - - (5) (8) (13)
Securities - sovereign debt impairment and
related interest rate hedge adjustments 1,268 - - 1,268 - - -
Securities - other 117 81 2 200 44 68 112
Charge to income statement 4,788 3,919 2 8,709 3,781 5,475 9,256
Charge relating to customer loans as a %
of gross customer loans (1) 0.8% 4.8% - 1.5% 0.9% 4.9% 1.7%
Quarter ended
31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core
£m
£m Core RFS MI
£m
Total
£m
Core
£m
Core
£m
Total
£m
Core
£m
Core
£m
Total
£m
Latent loss (87) (103) - (190) (33) (27) (60) (68) (48) (116)
Collectively assessed 478 113 - 591 548 141 689 559 170 729
Individually assessed 533 720 - 1,253 302 521 823 426 1,129 1,555
Customer loans 924 730 - 1,654 817 635 1,452 917 1,251 2,168
Bank loans - - - - - - - (5) (8) (13)
Securities - sovereign debt
impairment and related
interest rate hedge
adjustments 224 - - 224 202 - 202 - - -
Securities - other 17 21 2 40 37 47 84 19 (33) (14)
Charge to income
statement 1,165 751 2 1,918 1,056 682 1,738 931 1,210 2,141
Charge relating to
customer loans as a % of
gross customer loans (1) 0.9% 3.7% - 1.3% 0.8% 2.8% 1.1% 0.9% 4.4% 1.6%

Risk management: Credit risk: Impairment charge (continued)

Note:

(1) Customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of gross loans and advances to customers including assets of disposal groups and excluding reverse purchase agreements.

  • The impairment charge, excluding securities, decreased by £1.9 billion or 21% compared with 2010, driven largely by a £1.6 billion reduction in Non-Core, despite continuing challenges in Ulster Bank and corporate real estate portfolios.
  • The Group's customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of loans and advances was 1.5% compared with 1.7% for 2010.
  • The securities impairment in 2011 primarily reflects an impairment charge of £1.3 billion in respect of the Group's holdings of Greek sovereign bonds and related interest rate hedges.

Risk management: Restructuring and forbearance

Wholesale loan restructuring

The total amount of wholesale restructurings that achieved legal completion in 2011 was £8.6 billion. In addition, a further £14.7 billion was in the process of being completed at 31 December 2011. Restructured loans, related internal asset quality bands, sector breakdown and types of restructuring are set out below.

31 December 2011 AQ1-AQ9 (1)
£m
AQ10 (2)
£m
AQ10 (2)
Provision
coverage
%
Wholesale restructurings by sector
Property 1,980 2,600 18
Transport 686 694 11
Non-bank financial institutions 228 420 65
Retail and leisure 503 148 24
Other 1,078 251 28
Total 4,475 4,113 22

Notes:

(1) Probability of default less than 100%.

(2) Probability of default is 100%.

The incidence of the main types of restructuring is analysed below.

31 December 2011 Loans
by value
%
Wholesale restructurings by type of arrangement
Variation in margin 12
Payment holidays and loan rescheduling 87
Forgiveness of all or part of the outstanding debt 31
Other 8

Note:

(1) The total above exceeds 100% as an individual case can involve more than one type of arrangement.

Risk management: Credit risk: Restructuring and forbearance (continued)

Retail forbearance

Retail mortgage accounts in forbearance arrangements at 31 December 2011 totalled £6.6 billion. The mortgage arrears information for retail accounts in forbearance and related provision arrangements are shown in the table below.

No missed
payments
1-3 months
in arrears
>3 months
in arrears
Total
31 December 2011 £m Balance Provision
£m
Balance
£m
Provision
£m
£m Balance Provision
£m
£m Balance Provision
£m
Accounts
forborne
%
Arrears status and
provisions
UK Retail (1,2) 3,677 16 351 13 407 59 4,435 88 4.7
Ulster Bank (1,2) 893 78 516 45 421 124 1,830 247 9.1
Citizens - - 91 10 89 10 180 20 0.8
Wealth 121 - - - 2 - 123 - 1.3
Total 4,691 94 958 68 919 193 6,568 355 4.4

Notes:

(1) Includes all forbearance arrangements regardless of whether or not the customer is experiencing financial difficulty.

(2) Comprises the current stock position of forbearance deals agreed since January 2008 for UK Retail and since July 2008 for Ulster Bank.

(3) Refer to page 173 for details of the proportion of UK Retail and Citizens mortgage loans that have missed three or more payments, compared to the forbearance population above.

UK Retail (1) Ulster Bank Citizens Wealth Total (2)
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m
Forbearance arrangements
Interest only conversions 1,269 795 - 3 2,067
Term extensions - capital repayment and interest only 1,805 58 - 97 1,960
Payment concessions/holidays 198 876 180 - 1,254
Capitalisation of arrears 864 101 - - 965
Other 517 - - 23 540
Total 4,653 1,830 180 123 6,786

Notes:

(1) For unsecured portfolios in UK Retail, 1.1% of the total unsecured population was subject to forbearance at 31 December 2011.

(2) As an individual case can include more than one type of arrangement, the analysis in the table on forbearance arrangements exceeds the total forbearance.

Risk management: Credit risk: Debt securities

The table below analyses debt securities by issuer and measurement classification. The categorisation of debt securities has been revised to include asset-backed securities (ABS) by class of issuer. The main changes are to US central and local government which includes US federal agencies, and financial institutions which now includes US government sponsored agencies and securitisation entities. 2010 data are presented on the revised basis.

Central and local government Other
financial Of which
UK US Other Banks institutions Corporate Total ABS
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
31 December 2011
Held-for-trading 9,004 19,636 36,928 3,400 23,160 2,948 95,076 20,816
Designated as at fair value 1 - 127 53 457 9 647 558
Available-for-sale 13,436 20,848 25,552 13,175 31,752 2,535 107,298 40,735
Loans and receivables 10 - 1 312 5,259 477 6,059 5,200
Long positions 22,451 40,484 62,608 16,940 60,628 5,969 209,080 67,309
Of which US agencies - 4,896 - - 25,924 - 30,820 28,558
Short positions (HFT) (3,098) (10,661) (19,136) (2,556) (2,854) (754) (39,059) (352)
Available-for-sale
Gross unrealised gains 1,428 1,311 1,180 52 913 94 4,978 1,001
Gross unrealised losses - - (171) (838) (2,386) (13) (3,408) (3,158)
30 September 2011
Held-for-trading 8,434 20,120 47,621 4,216 27,511 4,666 112,568 24,123
Designated as at fair value 1 - 140 4 7 10 162 1
Available-for-sale 13,328 20,032 28,976 17,268 28,463 2,334 110,401 41,091
Loans and receivables 10 - - 274 5,764 478 6,526 5,447
Long positions 21,773 40,152 76,737 21,762 61,745 7,488 229,657 70,662
Of which US agencies - 5,311 - - 27,931 - 33,242 30,272
Short positions (HFT) (2,896) (12,763) (21,484) (2,043) (4,437) (1,680) (45,303) (895)
Available-for-sale
Gross unrealised gains
Gross unrealised losses
1,090
-
1,240
-
1,331
(124)
310
(1,039)
1,117
(2,371)
81
(24)
5,169
(3,558)
1,242
(3,114)
Central and local government Other
financial
Of which
31 December 2010 UK
£m
US
£m
Other
£m
Banks
£m
institutions
£m
Corporate
£m
Total
£m
ABS
£m
Held-for-trading 5,097 15,648 42,828 5,486 23,711 6,099 98,869 21,988
Designated as at fair value 1 117 262 4 8 10 402 119
Available-for-sale 8,377 22,244 32,865 16,982 29,148 1,514 111,130 42,515
Loans and receivables 11 - - 1 6,686 381 7,079 6,203
Long positions 13,486 38,009 75,955 22,473 59,553 8,004 217,480 70,825
Of which US agencies - 6,811 - - 21,686 - 28,497 25,375
Short positions (HFT) (4,200) (10,943) (18,913) (1,844) (3,356) (1,761) (41,017) (1,335)
Available-for-sale
Gross unrealised gains 349 525 700 143 827 51 2,595 1,057
Gross unrealised losses (10) (2) (618) (786) (2,626) (55) (4,097) (3,396)

Risk management: Credit risk: Debt securities (continued)

Key points

  • Held-for-trading debt securities decreased by £3.8 billion during the year due to a reduction in trading volumes. A managed reduction in sovereign exposures in the eurozone and other countries, in response to the current economic environment, was offset by an increase in UK and US government bonds.
  • The Group's available-for-sale portfolio decreased by £3.8 billion. An increase in UK government bonds of £5.1 billion, principally in Group Treasury partially offset reductions in holdings of securities issued by other central and local governments and banks.

The table below analyses available-for-sale debt securities and related reserves, gross of tax.

31 December 2011 31 December 2010
US UK Other (1) Total US UK Other (1) Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Central and local
Government 20,848 13,436 25,552 59,836 22,244 8,377 32,865 63,486
Banks 376 1,391 11,408 13,175 704 4,297 11,981 16,982
Other financial institutions 17,453 3,100 11,199 31,752 15,973 1,662 11,513 29,148
Corporate 131 1,105 1,299 2,535 65 438 1,011 1,514
Total 38,808 19,032 49,458 107,298 38,986 14,774 57,370 111,130
Of which ABS 20,256 3,659 16,820 40,735 20,872 4,002 17,641 42,515
AFS reserves (gross) 486 845 (1,815) (484) (304) 158 (2,559) (2,705)

Note:

(1) Includes eurozone countries that are detailed on pages 186 to 203.

Risk management: Credit risk: Debt securities (continued)

The table below analyses debt securities by issuer and external ratings. Ratings are based on the lowest of S&P, Moody's and Fitch.

Central and local government Other
financial
UK US Other Banks institutions Corporate Total % of Of which
ABS
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m total £m
AAA 22,451 45 32,522 5,155 15,908 452 76,533 37 17,156
AA to AA+ - 40,435 2,000 2,497 30,403 639 75,974 36 33,615
A to AA- - 1 24,966 6,387 4,979 1,746 38,079 18 6,331
BBB- to A- - - 2,194 2,287 2,916 1,446 8,843 4 4,480
Non-investment grade - - 924 575 5,042 1,275 7,816 4 4,492
Unrated - 3 2 39 1,380 411 1,835 1 1,235
22,451 40,484 62,608 16,940 60,628 5,969 209,080 100 67,309
30 September 2011
AAA 21,773 27 43,712 9,363 14,120 553 89,548 39 18,771
AA to AA+ - 40,094 4,247 4,279 31,785 661 81,066 35 35,954
A to AA- - 9 25,043 5,087 4,783 1,894 36,816 16 5,670
BBB- to A- - - 2,460 2,032 3,873 2,104 10,469 5 4,431
Non-investment grade - - 1,242 709 5,242 1,778 8,971 4 4,619
Unrated - 22 33 292 1,942 498 2,787 1 1,217
21,773 40,152 76,737 21,762 61,745 7,488 229,657 100 70,662
31 December 2010
AAA 13,486 38,009 44,123 10,704 39,388 878 146,588 67 51,235
AA to AA+ - - 18,025 3,511 6,023 616 28,175 13 6,335
A to AA- - - 9,138 4,926 2,656 1,155 17,875 8 3,244
BBB- to A- - - 2,845 1,324 3,412 2,005 9,586 5 3,385
Non-investment grade - - 1,770 1,528 5,522 2,425 11,245 5 4,923
Unrated - - 54 480 2,552 925 4,011 2 1,703
13,486 38,009 75,955 22,473 59,553 8,004 217,480 100 70,825
  • The decrease in AAA rated debt securities relates to the downgrading of US government and agencies to AA+ by S&P during the year.
  • The proportion of debt securities rated A to AA- increased to 18%, principally reflecting the Japanese government downgrade in 2011.
  • Non-investment grade and unrated debt securities now account for 5% of the debt securities portfolio, down from 7% at the start of the year.

Risk management: Credit risk: Asset-backed securities

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Risk management: Credit risk: Asset-backed securities (continued)

31
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5)
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Notes:

(1) Residential mortgage-backed securities.

(2) Includes US agency and Dutch government guaranteed securities.

(3) Commercial mortgage-backed securities.

(4) Collateralised debt obligations.

(5) Collateralised loan obligations.

For analyses of ABS by geography and measurement classification, refer to Appendix 3.

  • • Carrying value of total ABS decreased by £3.5 billion during 2011. US government sponsored RMBS of £3.6 billion, reflecting a move towards G10 government generally, partially off-set by decrease in European exposure. There were reductions across all other portfolios.
  • •The decrease in AAA rated debt securities mainly relates to the downgrading of US government and agencies to AA+ by S&P during the year.
  • •CDOs and CLOs decreased by £2.2 billion principally reflecting asset reductions in Non-Core.
  • •The decrease in CMBS of £1.6 billion, primarily reflecting restructuring of monoline exposures.
  • •The average mark on total ABS was 83%, broadly the same as 2010 and 2009.

Risk management: Credit risk: Derivatives

The Group's derivative assets by internal grading scale and residual maturity are analysed below. Master netting arrangements in respect of mark-to-market (mtm) positions and collateral shown below do not result in a net presentation in the Group's balance sheet under IFRS.

31 December 2011 30 September 31 December
0-3 3-6 6-12 1-5 Over 5 2011 2010
Asset Probability months months months years years Total Total Total
quality of default range £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
AQ1 0% - 0.034% 24,580 10,957 17,178 126,107 302,800 481,622 517,097 408,489
AQ2 0.034% - 0.048% 326 236 431 2,046 5,138 8,177 7,265 2,659
AQ3 0.048% - 0.095% 975 390 459 2,811 6,184 10,819 14,523 3,317
AQ4 0.095% - 0.381% 1,465 782 713 4,093 7,368 14,421 10,405 3,391
AQ5 0.381% - 1.076% 890 93 219 1,787 3,527 6,516 13,709 4,860
AQ6 1.076% - 2.153% 121 30 81 803 1,186 2,221 2,471 1,070
AQ7 2.153% - 6.089% 101 29 56 1,674 533 2,393 3,368 857
AQ8 6.089% - 17.222% 16 21 11 143 1,061 1,252 1,174 403
AQ9 17.222% - 100% 5 8 7 254 876 1,150 1,140 450
AQ10 100% 13 20 35 658 321 1,047 1,192 1,581
28,492 12,566 19,190 140,376 328,994 529,618 572,344 427,077
Counterparty mtm netting (441,626) (473,256) (330,397)
Cash collateral held against derivative exposures (37,222) (38,202) (31,096)
Net exposure 50,770 60,886 65,584

At 31 December 2011, the Group also held collateral in the form of securities of £5.3 billion (30 September 2011 - £5.5 billion; 31 December 2010 - £2.9 billion) against derivative positions.

The table below analyses the fair value of the Group's derivatives by type of contract.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Contract type Notional
£bn
£m Assets Liabilities
£m
Notional
£bn
Assets
£m
Liabilities
£m
Notional
£bn
Assets
£m
Liabilities
£m
Interest rate 38,722 422,156 406,709 42,732 424,130 407,814 39,760 311,731 299,209
Exchange rate 4,479 74,492 80,980 5,329 107,024 112,184 4,854 83,253 89,375
Credit
derivatives 1,054 26,836 26,743 1,343 33,884 31,574 1,357 26,872 25,344
Equity and
commodity 123 6,134 9,551 120 7,306 10,218 179 5,221 10,039
529,618 523,983 572,344 561,790 427,077 423,967

Risk management: Credit risk: Derivatives (continued)

Key points

31 December 2011 compared with 31 December 2010

  • Net exposure declined by 23%, despite an increase in derivative carrying values, primarily due to the increased use of netting arrangements.
  • Interest rate contracts increased due to continued reductions in interest rate yields and the depreciation of sterling against the US dollar. This was partially offset by the appreciation of sterling against the euro.
  • Exchange rate contracts decreased due to a reduction in trade volumes and the appreciation of sterling against the euro. This was partially offset by the depreciation of sterling against the US dollar.
  • Credit derivatives remained flat as the increase from the widening of credit spreads and the depreciation of sterling against the US dollar was offset by a reduction in trade volume.

31 December 2011 compared with 30 September 2011

  • Net exposure, after taking account of position and collateral netting arrangements, decreased by 17% due to lower derivative fair values, primarily driven by market movements.
  • Interest rate contract fair values remained flat reflecting the combined effect of exchange rate movements and movements in indices.
  • Exchange rate contracts decreased due to a reduction in trade volumes and exchange rate volatilities. The appreciation of sterling against the euro was partially offset by the depreciation of sterling against the US dollar.
  • Credit derivative fair values decreased due to a tightening of credit spreads, partially offset by the depreciation of sterling against the US dollar.

Risk management: Credit risk: Derivatives (continued)

The Group's exposures to monolines and credit derivative product companies (CDPCs) by credit rating are summarised below: ratings are based on the lower of S&P and Moody's. All of these exposures are held within Non-Core.

Exposures to monoline insurers

Fair value: Credit
Notional: reference valuation
protected protected Gross adjustment Net
assets assets exposure (CVA) Hedges exposure
£m £m £m £m £m £m
31 December 2011
A to AA- 4,939 4,243 696 252 - 444
Non-investment grade 3,623 2,431 1,192 946 71 175
8,562 6,674 1,888 1,198 71 619
Of which:
CMBS 946 674 272 247
CDOs 500 57 443 351
CLOs 4,616 4,166 450 177
Other ABS 1,998 1,455 543 334
Other 502 322 180 89
8,562 6,674 1,888 1,198
30 September 2011
A to AA- 5,411 4,735 676 259 - 417
Non-investment grade 7,098 3,684 3,414 2,568 70 776
12,509 8,419 4,090 2,827 70 1,193
Of which:
CMBS 3,954 1,879 2,075 1,599
CDOs 988 156 832 619
CLOs 4,806 4,348 458 183
Other ABS 2,275 1,758 517 309
Other 486 278 208 117
12,509 8,419 4,090 2,827
31 December 2010
A to AA- 6,336 5,503 833 272 - 561
Non-investment grade 8,555 5,365 3,190 2,171 71 948
14,891 10,868 4,023 2,443 71 1,509
Of which:
CMBS 4,149 2,424 1,725 1,253
CDOs 1,133 256 877 593
CLOs 6,724 6,121 603 210
Other ABS 2,393 1,779 614 294
Other 492 288 204 93
14,891 10,868 4,023 2,443

Risk management: Credit risk: Derivatives: Exposures to monoline insurers (continued)

Key points

31 December 2011 compared with 31 December 2010

  • The exposure to monolines declined, primarily due to the restructuring of some exposures, partially offset by lower prices of underlying reference instruments.
  • The CVA decreased in line with the reduction in exposure partially offset by the impact of wider credit spreads.

31 December 2011 compared with 30 September 2011

• The exposure to monolines declined, primarily due to the restructuring of some exposures. The CVA decreased in line with the reduction in exposure.

Fair value:
Notional: reference Credit
protected protected Gross valuation Net
assets assets exposure adjustment exposure
£m £m £m £m £m
31 December 2011
AAA 213 212 1 - 1
A to AA- 646 632 14 3 11
Non-investment grade 19,671 18,151 1,520 788 732
Unrated 3,974 3,613 361 243 118
24,504 22,608 1,896 1,034 862
30 September 2011
AAA 211 209 2 - 2
A to AA- 640 614 26 15 11
Non-investment grade 19,294 17,507 1,787 902 885
Unrated 3,985 3,552 433 316 117
24,130 21,882 2,248 1,233 1,015
31 December 2010
AAA 213 212 1 - 1
A to AA- 644 629 15 4 11
Non-investment grade 20,066 19,050 1,016 401 615
Unrated 4,165 3,953 212 85 127
25,088 23,844 1,244 490 754

Exposure to CDPCs

Key points

31 December 2011 compared with 31 December 2010

  • The exposure to CDPCs increased, primarily driven by wider credit spreads of the underlying reference loans and bonds.
  • The CVA increased in line with the increase in exposure.

31 December 2011 compared with 30 September 2011

  • The exposure to CDPCs decreased over the period, primarily driven by tighter credit spreads of the underlying reference loans and bonds, together with a decrease in the relative value of senior tranches, compared with the underlying reference portfolios.
  • The CVA decreased in line with the decrease in exposure.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate

The commercial real estate lending portfolio totalled £74.8 billion at 31 December 2011, a 14% yearon-year decrease (31 December 2010 - £87.4 billion). The commercial real estate sector comprises exposure to entities involved in the development of or investment in commercial and residential properties (including homebuilders). The analysis below excludes rate risk management and contingent obligations.

31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Investment Development Total Investment Development Total
By division £m £m £m £m £m £m
Core
UK Corporate 25,101 5,023 30,124 24,879 5,819 30,698
Ulster Bank 3,882 881 4,763 4,284 1,090 5,374
US Retail &
Commercial 4,235 70 4,305 4,322 93 4,415
Global Banking &
Markets 1,013 360 1,373 1,131 644 1,775
34,231 6,334 40,565 34,616 7,646 42,262
Non-Core
UK Corporate 3,957 2,020 5,977 7,591 3,263 10,854
Ulster Bank 3,860 8,490 12,350 3,854 8,760 12,614
US Retail &
Commercial 901 28 929 1,325 70 1,395
Global Banking &
Markets 14,689 336 15,025 19,906 379 20,285
23,407 10,874 34,281 32,676 12,472 45,148
Total 57,638 17,208 74,846 67,292 20,118 87,410
Investment Development
By geography Commercial
£m
Residential
£m
Commercial
£m
Residential
£m
Total
£m
31 December 2011
UK (excluding NI) (1) 28,653 6,359 1,198 6,511 42,721
Ireland (ROI & NI) (1) 5,146 1,132 2,591 6,317 15,186
Western Europe 7,649 1,048 9 52 8,758
US 5,552 1,279 59 46 6,936
RoW 785 35 141 284 1,245
47,785 9,853 3,998 13,210 74,846
31 December 2010
UK (excluding NI) (1) 32,334 7,255 1,520 8,288 49,397
Ireland (ROI & NI) (1) 5,056 1,148 2,785 6,578 15,567
Western Europe 10,568 643 25 42 11,278
US 7,345 1,296 69 175 8,885
RoW 1,622 25 138 498 2,283
56,925 10,367 4,537 15,581 87,410

Note:

(1) ROI: Republic of Ireland; NI: Northern Ireland.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

Investment Development
By geography Core
£m
Non-Core
£m
Core
£m
Non-Core
£m
Total
£m
31 December 2011
UK (excluding NI) 25,904 9,108 5,118 2,591 42,721
Ireland (ROI & NI) 3,157 3,121 793 8,115 15,186
Western Europe 422 8,275 20 41 8,758
US 4,521 2,310 71 34 6,936
RoW 227 593 332 93 1,245
34,231 23,407 6,334 10,874 74,846
31 December 2010
UK (excluding NI) 26,168 13,421 5,997 3,811 49,397
Ireland (ROI & NI) 3,159 3,044 963 8,401 15,567
Western Europe 409 10,802 25 42 11,278
US 4,636 4,005 173 71 8,885
RoW 244 1,404 488 147 2,283
34,616 32,676 7,646 12,472 87,410
By sub-sector UK
(excl NI)
£m
Ireland
(ROI & NI)
£m
Western
Europe
£m
US
£m
RoW
£m
Total
£m
31 December 2011
Residential 12,871 7,449 1,096 1,325 319 23,060
Office 7,155 1,354 2,248 404 352 11,513
Retail 8,709 1,641 1,893 285 275 12,803
Industrial 4,317 507 520 24 105 5,473
Mixed/other 9,669 4,235 3,001 4,898 194 21,997
42,721 15,186 8,758 6,936 1,245 74,846
31 December 2010
Residential 15,543 7,726 685 1,471 523 25,948
Office 8,539 1,178 2,878 663 891 14,149
Retail 10,607 1,668 1,888 1,025 479 15,667
Industrial 4,912 515 711 80 106 6,324
Mixed/other 9,796 4,480 5,116 5,646 284 25,322
49,397 15,567 11,278 8,885 2,283 87,410

Note:

(1) Excludes commercial real estate lending in Wealth as these loans are generally supported by personal guarantees in addition to collateral. This portfolio, which totalled £1.3 billion at 31 December 2011 continues to perform in line with expectations and requires minimal provision.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

  • In line with the Group's strategy, exposure to commercial real estate was reduced during 2011, affecting mainly the UK and Western Europe given that these regions account for the majority of the portfolio. Overall this portfolio decreased circa 25% in the two years to 31 December 2011.
  • Most of the decrease is in Non-Core due to run-off and asset sales. The Non-Core portfolio totalled £34.3 billion (46% of the portfolio) at 31 December 2011 (31 December 2010 - £45.1 billion, or 52% of the portfolio) and includes exposures in Ulster Bank as discussed on page 180.
  • With the exception of exposure in Spain and in Ireland, the Group has minimal commercial real estate exposure to other eurozone periphery countries. Exposure in Spain is predominantly in the Non-Core portfolio and totals £2.3 billion, of which 36% is in AQ1-AQ9. The remainder of the Spanish portfolio has already been subject to material write-off and provision levels have been assessed based on re-appraised values. There are significant differences in values based on geographic location and asset type.
  • The UK portfolio is focused on London and the South East (44%), with the remainder well spread across the UK regions.
  • Short-term lending to property developers without sufficient pre-let revenue at origination to support investment financing after practical completion is classified as speculative. Speculative lending at origination represents approximately 1% of the portfolio. The Group's appetite for originating speculative commercial real estate lending is very limited and any such business requires senior management approval.
  • The commercial real estate market is expected to remain challenging in key markets and new business will be accommodated from run-off of existing Core exposure. As liquidity in the market remains tight, the Group is focusing on re-financings and supporting its existing client base.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

Maturity profile of portfolio UK Corporate
£m
Ulster Bank
£m
US Retail &
Commercial
£m
Global Banking
& Markets
£m
Total
£m
31 December 2011
Core
< 1 year (1) 8,268 3,030 1,056 142 12,496
1-2 years 5,187 391 638 278 6,494
2-3 years 3,587 117 765 363 4,832
> 3 years 10,871 1,225 1,846 590 14,532
Not classified (2) 2,211 - - - 2,211
Total 30,124 4,763 4,305 1,373 40,565
Non-Core
< 1 year (1) 3,224 11,089 293 7,093 21,699
1-2 years 508 692 163 3,064 4,427
2-3 years 312 177 152 1,738 2,379
> 3 years 1,636 392 321 3,126 5,475
Not classified (2) 297 - - 4 301
Total 5,977 12,350 929 15,025 34,281
31 December 2010
Core
< 1 year (1) 7,563 2,719 1,303 890 12,475
1-2 years 5,154 829 766 247 6,996
2-3 years 4,698 541 751 221 6,211
> 3 years 10,361 1,285 1,595 417 13,658
Not classified (2) 2,922 - -
-
2,922
Total 30,698 5,374 4,415 1,775 42,262
Non-Core
< 1 year (1) 4,829 10,809 501 3,887 20,026
1-2 years 1,727 983 109 6,178 8,997
2-3 years 831 128 218 3,967 5,144
> 3 years 2,904 694 567 6,253 10,418
Not classified (2) 563 - -
-
563
Total 10,854 12,614 1,395 20,285 45,148

Notes:

(1) Includes on demand and past due assets.

(2) Predominantly comprises multi-option facilities for which there is no single maturity date.

Key point

• The majority of Ulster Bank's commercial real estate portfolio is categorised as < 1 year including on demand assets, owing to the high level of non-performing assets in the portfolio. Ulster Bank places most restructured facilities on demand rather than extending the maturity date.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

Breakdown of portfolio by AQ band

31 December 2011 AQ1-AQ2
£m
AQ3-AQ4
£m
AQ5-AQ6
£m
AQ7-AQ8
£m
AQ9
£m
AQ10
£m
Total
£m
Core 1,094 6,714 19,054 6,254 3,111 4,338 40,565
Non-Core 680 1,287 5,951 3,893 2,385 20,085 34,281
Total 1,774 8,001 25,005 10,147 5,496 24,423 74,846
31 December 2010
Core 1,055 7,087 20,588 7,829 2,171 3,532 42,262
Non-Core 1,003 2,694 11,249 7,608 4,105 18,489 45,148
Total 2,058 9,781 31,837 15,437 6,276 22,021 87,410
  • Approximately 13% of the commercial real estate exposure is within the AQ1-AQ4 bands. This includes unsecured lending to property companies and real estate investment trusts. The high proportion of the exposure in the AQ10 band is driven by Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core) and GBM (Non-Core).
  • Of the total portfolio of £74.8 billion at 31 December 2011, £34.7 billion (2010 £45.1 billion) is managed within the Group's standard credit processes and £5.9 billion (2010 - £9.2 billion) is receiving varying degrees of heightened credit management under the Group Watchlist process (this includes all Watchlist Amber cases and Watchlist Red cases managed outside the Global Restructuring Group (GRG)). A further £34.3 billion (2010 - £33.1 billion) is managed within the GRG and includes both Watchlist and non-performing exposures. The increase in the portfolio managed by the GRG is driven by Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core).

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

Breakdown of portfolio by AQ band (continued)

The table below analyses commercial real estate lending by loan-to-value (LTV). Due to market conditions in Ireland and to a lesser extent in the UK, there is a shortage of market based data. In the absence of external valuations, the Group deploys a range of alternative approaches including internal expert judgement and indexation.

Ulster Bank Rest of the Group Group
AQ1-AQ9 AQ10 AQ1-AQ9 AQ10 AQ1-AQ9 AQ10
LTVs at 31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m
<= 50% 81 28 7,091 332 7,172 360
> 50% and <= 70% 642 121 14,105 984 14,747 1,105
> 70% and <= 90% 788 293 10,042 1,191 10,830 1,484
> 90% and <= 100% 541 483 2,616 1,679 3,157 2,162
> 100% and <= 110% 261 322 1,524 1,928 1,785 2,250
> 110% and <= 130% 893 1,143 698 1,039 1,591 2,182
> 130% 1,468 10,004 672 2,994 2,140 12,998
Total with LTVs 4,674 12,394 36,748 10,147 41,422 22,541
Other (1) 7 38 8,994 1,844 9,001 1,882
Total 4,681 12,432 45,742 11,991 50,423 24,423
Total portfolio average LTV (2) 140% 259% 69% 129% 77% 201%

Notes:

(1) Other performing loans of £9.0 billion include unsecured lending to commercial real estate clients, such as major UK homebuilders. The credit quality of these exposures is consistent with that of the performing portfolio overall. Other nonperforming loans of £1.9 billion are subject to the Group's standard provisioning policies.

(2) Weighted average by exposure.

  • Nearly 85% of the commercial real estate portfolio with LTV > 100% is within Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core) and GBM (Non-Core). A majority of these portfolios are managed within the GRG and are subject to monthly reviews. Significant levels of provisions have been taken against these portfolios; provisions as a percentage of risk elements in lending for the Ulster Bank commercial real estate portfolio were 53% at 31 December 2011 (31 December 2010 - 44%). The reported LTV levels are based on gross loan values. The weighted average LTV for AQ10 excluding Ulster Bank is 129%.
  • The average interest coverage (ICR) ratios for UK Corporate (Core and Non-Core) and GBM (Non-Core) investment properties are 2.37x and 1.25x respectively. The US Retail & Commercial portfolio is managed on the basis of debt service coverage, which includes scheduled principal amortisation. The average debt service interest coverage for this portfolio on this basis was 1.24x at 31 December 2011. There are a number of different approaches used within the Group and across the industry to calculate ICR ratios for different portfolio types, and organisations may not therefore be comparable.

Risk management: Credit risk: Commercial real estate (continued)

Retail assets

The Group's retail lending portfolio includes mortgages, credit cards, unsecured loans, auto finance and overdrafts. The majority of personal lending exposures are in the UK, Ireland and the US. The analysis below includes both Core and Non-Core balances.

31 December 31 December
2011 2010
Personal credit loans and receivables £m £m
UK Retail
- mortgages 96,388 92,592
- cards, loans and overdrafts 16,004 18,072
Ulster Bank
- mortgages 20,020 21,162
- other personal 1,533 1,017
Citizens
- mortgages 23,829 24,575
- auto and cards 5,731 6,062
- other (1) 2,111 3,455
Other (2) 17,545 18,123
183,161 185,058

Notes:

(1) Mainly student loans and loans secured by recreational vehicles or marine vessels.

(2) Personal exposures in other divisions.

Residential mortgages

The tables below detail the distribution of residential mortgages by indexed LTV. LTV averages are calculated by transaction volume and transaction value. Refer to the section on Ulster Bank Group on page 179 for analysis of Ulster Bank residential mortgages.

UK Retail Citizens
2011 2010 2011 2010
LTV distribution calculated on a volume basis % % % %
<= 70% 62.1 61.6 43.5 43.4
> 70% and <= 90% 27.1 26.2 26.9 27.6
> 90% and <= 110% 9.4 10.4 16.7 17.2
> 110% and <= 130% 1.4 1.7 6.9 6.0
> 130% - 0.1 6.0 5.8
Total portfolio average LTV at 31 December 57.8 58.2 73.8 75.3
Average LTV on new originations during the year 58.4 64.2 63.8 64.8
LTV distribution calculated on a value basis £m £m £m £m
<= 70% 47,811 44,522 9,669 10,375
> 70% and <= 90% 34,410 32,299 7,011 7,196
> 90% and <= 110% 11,800 12,660 3,947 4,080
> 110% and <= 130% 1,713 1,924 1,580 1,488
> 130% 74 73 1,263 1,252
Total portfolio average LTV at 31 December 67.2% 68.1% 75.9% 75.4%
Average LTV on new originations during the year 63.0% 68.0% 65.8% 65.3%

Risk management: Credit risk: Residential mortgages (continued)

The table below details residential mortgages which are three months or more in arrears (by volume).

31 December 31 December
2011 2010
Residential mortgages which are three months or more in arrears (by volume) % %
UK Retail (1) 1.6 1.7
Citizens 2.0 1.4

Note:

(1) The 'One Account' current account mortgage is excluded (£5.4 billion - 5.6% of assets) at 31 December 2011, 0.9% of these accounts were 90 days continually in excess of the limit (31 December 2010 - 0.8%). Consistent with the way the Council of Mortgage Lenders publishes member arrears information, the 3+ months arrears rate now excludes accounts in repossession and cases with shortfalls post property sale.

UK Retail

  • The UK Retail mortgage portfolio totalled £96.4 billion (98.6% in Core) at 31 December 2011, an increase of 4.1% from 2010, due to continued strong sales growth and lower redemption rates from before the financial crisis.
  • Of the total portfolio, 98.6% is designated as Core business, primarily comprising mortgages branded the Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, the One Account and First Active. Non-Core comprises Direct Line Mortgages.
  • The assets are prime mortgages and include 7.2% (£6.9 billion) of exposure to residential buyto-let. There is a small legacy self-certification book (0.3% of total assets). Self-certified mortgages were withdrawn from sale in 2004.
  • Gross new mortgage lending in 2011 remained strong at £14.7 billion. The average LTV for new business during 2011 declined in comparison to 2010 and the maximum LTV available to new customers remained at 90%. Based on the Halifax House Price index at September 2011, the book average indexed LTV improved marginally when compared to December 2010, with the proportion of balances with an LTV over 100% also lower. Refer to the table on page 172, which details LTV information on a volume and value basis.
  • The arrears rate (more than three payments in arrears, excluding repossessions and shortfalls post property sale) has remained broadly stable since late 2009 at 1.6%.
  • The number of properties repossessed in 2011 was 1,671, up from 1,392 in 2010.
  • The mortgage impairment charge was £187 million for 2011, an increase of 2% from 2010. A significant part of the mortgage impairment charge related to reduced expectations of cash recovery on already defaulted debt. It also included an additional provision charge for mortgage customers who received forbearance.
  • Default and arrears rates remain sensitive to economic developments and are currently supported by the low interest rate environment and strong book growth, with recent business yet to fully mature.

Risk management: Credit risk: Residential mortgages (continued)

Citizens

Key points

  • Citizens' residential mortgage portfolio totalled £23.8 billion at 31 December 2011, a reduction of 3% from 2010 (£24.6 billion).
  • The mortgage portfolio comprises £6.4 billion of residential mortgages (99% in first lien position: Core - £5.8 billion; Non-Core - £0.6 billion) and £17.4 billion of home equity loans and lines (41% in first lien position: Core - £14.9 billion; Non-Core - £2.5 billion). Home equity Core consists of 47% in first lien position.
  • Citizens continues to focus on the 'footprint' states of New England, Mid Atlantic and Mid West, targeting low risk products and maintaining conservative risk policies. At 31 December 2011, the portfolio consisted of £19.5 billion (82% of the total portfolio) within footprint.
  • Loan acceptance criteria were tightened during 2009 to address deteriorating economic and market conditions.
  • Non-Core comprises 13% of the residential mortgage portfolio. Its largest component (74%) is the serviced by others (SBO) home equity portfolio. The SBO portfolio consists of purchased pools of home equity loans and lines, which resulted in an annualised charge-off rate of 8.7% in 2011. It is characterised by out-of-footprint geographies, high second lien concentration (95%) and high average LTV (113% at 31 December 2011). The SBO book has been closed to new purchases since the third quarter of 2007 and is in run-off, with exposure down from £2.8 billion at 31 December 2010, to £2.3 billion at 31 December 2011. The arrears rate of the SBO portfolio decreased from 3.0% at 31 December 2010, to 2.3% at 31 December 2011, as the legacy of poorer assets receded, and account servicing and collections became more effective following a servicer conversion in 2009.

Personal lending

The Group's personal lending portfolio includes credit cards, unsecured loans, auto finance and overdrafts. The majority of personal lending exposures exist in the UK and the US. Impairments as a proportion of average loans and receivables are shown in the following table.

31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Impairment
charge as a %
Impairment
charge as a %
Average of average Average of average
loans and
receivables
loans and
receivables
loans and
receivables
loans and
receivables
Personal lending £m % £m %
UK Retail cards (1) 5,675 3.0 6,025 5.0
UK Retail loans (1) 7,755 2.8 9,863 4.8
Citizens cards (2) 936 5.1 1,005 9.9
Citizens auto loans (2) 4,856 0.2 5,256 0.6

Notes:

  • (1) The ratio for UK Retail assets refers to the impairment charges for the year. This is the Core UK loans book and excludes the Non-Core direct loans book that was sold in late 2011.
  • (2) The ratio for Citizens refers to the impairment charges in the year, net of recoveries realised in the year.

Risk management: Credit risk: Personal lending (continued)

UK Retail

Key points

  • The UK personal lending portfolio, of which 99.4% is in Core businesses, comprises credit cards, unsecured loans and overdrafts, and totalled £16.0 billion at 31 December 2011 (31 December 2010 - £18.1 billion).
  • The decrease in portfolio size of 11.4% was driven by continued subdued loan recruitment activity and a continuing general market trend of customers repaying unsecured debt.
  • The Non-Core portfolio consists of the direct finance loan portfolios (Direct Line, Lombard, Mint and Churchill) and totalled £0.1 billion at 31 December 2011 (2010 - £0.4 billion). In the last quarter of 2011, a portfolio of £170 million of balances was disposed of.
  • Risk appetite continues to be actively managed across all products with investment in collection and recovery processes continuing, addressing both continued support for the Group's customers and the management of impairments.
  • Support continues for customers experiencing financial difficulties through 'breathing space initiatives'. Refer to the disclosures on forbearance on page 156 for more information.
  • The impairment charge on unsecured lending was £579 million for the year, down 42% on 2010, reflecting the effect of risk appetite tightening. The sale of the direct finance loan book gave rise to a one-off benefit of approximately £30 million.
  • Impairments remain sensitive to the external environment, including unemployment levels and interest rates.
  • Industry benchmarks for cards arrears remain stable, with the Group continuing to perform favourably.

Citizens

  • Citizens' average credit card portfolio totalled £936 million during 2011, with Core assets comprising 90.2% of the portfolio. Citizens' cards business has traditionally adopted conservative risk strategies compared with the US market and given the economic climate, has introduced tighter lending criteria and lower credit limits. These actions have led to improving new business quality and a business performing better than industry benchmarks (provided by VISA). The latest available metrics show the 60+ days delinquency as a percentage of total outstandings at 2.15% at November 2011 (compared to an industry figure of 2.45%) and net contractual charge-offs as a percentage of total outstandings at 2.89% at November 2011 (compared to an industry figure of 3.69%).
  • Citizens' average auto loan portfolio totalled £4.9 billion during 2011, of which 98% is considered Core. £101 million (2%) is Non-Core and anticipated to run off by 2013. Citizens' vehicle financing business lends to US consumers through a network of 4,200 auto dealers in 25 US states. Citizens' credit policy is considered conservative, targeting prime customers and has historically experienced credit losses below those of industry peers.
  • The net write-off rate on the total auto portfolio fell to 0.18% at 31 December 2011, from 0.34% in 2010. The 30+ days past due delinquency rate fell to 1.04% at 31 December 2011, from 1.57% in 2010.

Risk management: Credit risk: Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core)

Overview

At 31 December 2011, Ulster Bank Group accounted for 10% of the Group's total gross customer loans (31 December 2010 - 10%) and 9% of the Group's Core gross customer loans (31 December 2010 - 9%). Ulster Bank's financial performance continues to be overshadowed by the challenging economic climate in Ireland, with impairments remaining elevated as high unemployment, coupled with higher taxation and limited liquidity in the economy, continues to depress the property market and domestic spending.

The impairment charge of £3,717 million for the year (31 December 2010 - £3,843 million) was driven by a combination of new defaulting customers and deteriorating security values. Provisions as a percentage of risk elements in lending increased from 44% at 31 December 2010 to 53% at 31 December 2011, predominantly as a result of the deterioration in the value of the Non-Core commercial real estate development portfolio.

Core

The impairment charge for the year of £1,384 million (31 December 2010 - £1,161 million) reflects the difficult economic climate in Ireland, with elevated default levels across both mortgage and other corporate portfolios. The mortgage sector accounted for £570 million (41%) of the total 2011 impairment charge.

Non-Core

The impairment charge for the year was £2,333 million (31 December 2010 - £2,682 million), with the commercial real estate sector accounting for £2,160 million (93%) of the total 2011 charge.

Risk management: Credit risk: Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core) (continued)

Loans, risk elements in lending (REIL) and impairments by sector

REIL
as a % of Provisions Provisions
Gross gross as a % of as a % of Impairment Amounts
31 December 2011 loans
£m
£m REIL Provisions
£m
loans
%
REIL
%
gross loans
%
charge
£m
written-off
£m
Core
Mortgages 20,020 2,184 945 10.9 43 4.7 570 11
Personal unsecured 1,533 201 184 13.1 92 12.0 56 25
Commercial real estate
- investment 3,882 1,014 413 26.1 41 10.6 225 -
- development 881 290 145 32.9 50 16.5 99 16
Other corporate 7,736 1,834 1,062 23.7 58 13.7 434 72
34,052 5,523 2,749 16.2 50 8.1 1,384 124
Non-Core
Commercial real estate
- investment 3,860 2,916 1,364 75.5 47 35.3 609 1
- development 8,490 7,536 4,295 88.8 57 50.6 1,551 32
Other corporate 1,630 1,159 642 71.1 55 39.4 173 16
13,980 11,611 6,301 83.1 54 45.1 2,333 49
Ulster Bank Group
Mortgages 20,020 2,184 945 10.9 43 4.7 570 11
Personal unsecured 1,533 201 184 13.1 92 12.0 56 25
Commercial real estate
- investment 7,742 3,930 1,777 50.8 45 23.0 834 1
- development 9,371 7,826 4,440 83.5 57 47.4 1,650 48
Other corporate 9,366 2,993 1,704 32.0 57 18.2 607 88
48,032 17,134 9,050 35.7 53 18.8 3,717 173

Risk management: Credit risk: Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core) (continued)

Loans, REIL and impairments by sector (continued)

REIL
as a % of Provisions Provisions
Gross gross as a % of as a % of Impairment Amounts
loans REIL Provisions loans REIL gross loans charge written-off
31 December 2010 £m £m £m % % % £m £m
Core
Mortgages 21,162 1,566 439 7.4 28 2.1 294 7
Personal unsecured 1,282 185 158 14.4 85 12.3 48 30
Commercial real estate
- investment 4,284 598 332 14.0 56 7.7 259 -
- development 1,090 65 37 6.0 57 3.4 116 -
Other corporate 9,039 1,205 667 13.3 55 7.4 444 11
36,857 3,619 1,633 9.8 45 4.4 1,161 48
Non-Core
Mortgages - - - - - - 42 -
Commercial real estate
- investment 3,854 2,391 1,000 62.0 42 25.9 630 -
- development 8,760 6,341 2,783 72.4 44 31.8 1,759 -
Other corporate 1,970 1,310 561 66.5 43 28.5 251 -
14,584 10,042 4,344 68.9 43 29.8 2,682 -
Ulster Bank Group
Mortgages 21,162 1,566 439 7.4 28 2.1 336 7
Personal unsecured 1,282 185 158 14.4 85 12.3 48 30
Commercial real estate
- investment 8,138 2,989 1,332 36.7 45 16.4 889 -
- development 9,850 6,406 2,820 65.0 44 28.6 1,875 -
Other corporate 11,009 2,515 1,228 22.8 49 11.2 695 11
51,441 13,661 5,977 26.6 44 11.6 3,843 48
  • REIL increased by £3.5 billion during the year, which reflects continuing difficult conditions in both the commercial and residential sectors in Ireland. Growth moderated in the last two quarters of 2011 as default trends for corporate portfolios declined.
  • At 31 December 2011, 68% of REIL was in Non-Core (2010 74%). The majority of the Non-Core commercial real estate development portfolio (89%) is REIL with a 57% provision coverage.

Risk management: Credit risk: Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core) (continued)

Residential mortgages

The tables below show how the continued decrease in property values has affected the distribution of residential mortgages by indexed LTV. LTV is based upon gross loan amounts and whilst including defaulted loans, does not take account of provisions made.

LTV distribution calculated on a volume basis 2011
%
2010
%
<= 70% 45.0 50.3
> 70% and <= 90% 11.4 13.0
> 90% and <= 110% 12.0 14.5
> 110% and <= 130% 10.9 13.5
> 130% 20.7 8.7
Total portfolio average LTV at 31 December 81.0 71.2
Average LTV on new originations during the year 67.0 75.9
LTV distribution calculated on a value basis £m £m
<= 70% 4,526 5,928
> 70% and <= 90% 2,501 3,291
> 90% and <= 110% 3,086 4,256
> 110% and <= 130% 3,072 4,391
> 130% 6,517 2,958
Total portfolio average LTV at 31 December 106.1 91.7
Average LTV on new originations during the year 73.9 78.9
  • The residential mortgage portfolio across Ulster Bank Group totalled £20 billion at 31 December 2011, with 89% in the Republic of Ireland and 11% in Northern Ireland. At constant exchange rates the portfolio decreased by 4% from 2010, as a result of natural amortisation and limited growth due to low market demand.
  • The mortgage REIL continued to increase as a result of the continued challenging economic environment. At 31 December 2011, REIL as a percentage of gross mortgages was 10.9% (by value) compared with 7.4% in 2010. The impairment charge for 2011 was £570 million compared with £336 million for 2010. Repossession levels were higher than in 2010, with a total of 161 properties repossessed during 2011 (compared with 76 during 2010). 76% of repossessions during 2011 were through voluntary surrender or abandonment of the property.
  • Ulster Bank Group is assisting customers in this difficult environment. Mortgage forbearance policies which are deployed through the 'Flex' initiative are aimed at assisting customers in financial difficulty. At 31 December 2011, 9.1% (by value) of the mortgage book (£1.8 billion) was on a forbearance arrangement compared with 5.8% (£1.2 billion) at 31 December 2010. The majority of these forbearance arrangements are in the performing book (77%) and not 90 days past due, refer to page 156 for further details.

Risk management: Credit risk: Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core) (continued)

Commercial real estate

The commercial real estate lending portfolio for Ulster Bank Group totalled £17.1 billion at 31 December, of which £12.3 billion or 72% is Non-Core. The geographic split of the total Ulster Bank Group commercial real estate portfolio remained similar to 2010, with 26% in Northern Ireland, 63% in the Republic of Ireland and 11% in the UK.

Development Investment
Commercial Residential Commercial Residential Total
Exposure by geography £m £m £m £m £m
31 December 2011
Ireland (ROI & NI) 2,591 6,317 5,097 1,132 15,137
UK (excluding NI) 95 336 1,371 111 1,913
RoW - 32 27 4 63
2,686 6,685 6,495 1,247 17,113
31 December 2010
Ireland (ROI & NI) 2,785 6,578 5,032 1,098 15,493
UK (excluding NI) 110 359 1,869 115 2,453
RoW - 18 23 1 42
2,895 6,955 6,924 1,214 17,988
  • Commercial real estate remains the primary driver of the increase in the defaulted loan book for Ulster Bank Group. The outlook remains challenging, with limited liquidity in the marketplace to support sales or refinancing. The decrease in asset valuations has placed pressure on the portfolio.
  • Within its early problem management framework, Ulster Bank may agree various remedial measures with customers whose loans are performing but who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties. During 2011, commercial real estate loans amounting to £0.8 billion (exposures greater than £10 million) benefited from such measures.
  • During 2011, impaired commercial real estate loans amounting to £1 billion (exposures greater than £10 million) were restructured and remain in the non-performing book.

Risk management: Country risk

Country risk is the risk of material losses arising from significant country-specific events such as sovereign events (default or restructuring); economic events (contagion of sovereign default to other parts of the economy, cyclical economic shock); political events (transfer or convertibility restrictions and expropriation or nationalisation); and natural disaster or conflict. Such events have the potential to affect elements of the Group's credit portfolio that are directly or indirectly linked to the country in question and can also give rise to market, liquidity, operational and franchise risk related losses.

For a discussion of the Group's approach to country risk management and the external risk environment, refer to the 2011 Annual Report and Accounts: Business review: Risk and balance sheet management: Country risk.

The following tables show the Group's exposure by country of incorporation of the counterparty at 31 December 2011. Countries shown are those where the Group's balance sheet exposure to counterparties incorporated in the country exceeded £1 billion and the country had an external rating of A+ or below from S&P, Moody's or Fitch at 31 December 2011, as well as selected eurozone countries. The numbers are stated before taking into account the impact of mitigating actions, such as collateral, insurance or guarantees, that may have been taken to reduce or eliminate exposure to country risk events. Exposures relating to ocean-going vessels are not included due to their multinational nature.

For definitions of headings in the following tables, refer to page 204.

'Other eurozone' comprises Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.

References to Non-Core in the following pages relate to Non-Core lending disclosures in the summary tables on pages 182-183.

Risk management: Country risk: Summary

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Risk management: Country risk: Summary (continued)

31 De
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Risk management: Country risk (continued)

Key points

Reported exposures are affected by currency movements. Over the year, sterling fell 0.3% against the US dollar and rose 3.1% against the euro. In the fourth quarter, sterling fell 0.9% against the US dollar and rose 2.9% against the euro.

  • Exposure to most countries shown in the table declined over 2011 as the Group maintained a cautious stance and many bank clients reduced debt levels. Decreases were seen in balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures in many countries. Increases in derivatives and repos were in line with the Group's strategy, driven partly by customer demand for hedging solutions and partly by market movements; risks are generally mitigated by active collateralisation.
  • India strong economic growth in 2011 resulted in increased exposure across most product types until the fourth quarter, when a decline took place, driven by a Global Transaction Services (GTS) exercise in the region to manage down risk-weighted assets, natural runoffs/maturities and a sharp rupee depreciation. Year-on-year increases in lending to corporate clients (£0.3 billion) and the central bank (£0.3 billion) were offset by reductions in lending to banks (£0.7 billion) and other financial institutions (£0.3 billion).
  • China lending to Chinese banks increased in the first three quarters of the year, supporting trade finance activities and on-shore regulatory needs, but by the end of 2011 exposure had decreased close to December 2010 levels. The Group reduced lending in the interbank money markets over the final quarter. This reduction in lending was offset by significant growth in repo trading with Chinese financial institutions helping to support the Group's funding requirements, with highly liquid US Treasuries being the main underlying security. A reduction in off-balance sheet exposures, including guarantees and undrawn commitments, was in part due to the runoff of performance bonds in respect of shipping deliveries and also due to reduced appetite for trade finance assets.
  • South Korea exposure decreased by £1.6 billion during 2011. This was largely due to a reduction in debt securities as the Group managed its wrong-way risk exposure. The Group maintained a cautious stance given the current global economic downturn.
  • Turkey exposures were managed down in most categories, with the non-strategic (mid-market) portfolio significantly reduced in 2011. Nonetheless, Turkey continues to be one of the Group's key emerging markets. The strategy remains client-centric, with the product offering tailored to selected client segments across large Turkish international corporate clients and financial institutions as well as Turkish subsidiaries of global clients.

Risk management: Country risk (continued)

Key points (continued)

  • Mexico asset sales and a number of early repayments in the corporate portfolio led to exposure falling £0.8 billion in the year. This decline also reflects the Group's cautious approach to new business during the fourth quarter following its decision to close its onshore operation in Mexico.
  • Eurozone periphery (Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal) exposure decreased across most of the periphery, with derivatives (gross of collateral) and repos being the only component that still saw some increases year on year (partly an effect of market movements on existing positions). Most of the Group's country risk exposure to the eurozone periphery countries arises from the activities of GBM and Ulster Bank (with respect to Ireland). The Group has some large holdings of Spanish bank and financial institution MBS bonds and smaller quantities of Italian bonds and Greek sovereign debt. GTS provides trade finance facilities to clients across Europe including the eurozone periphery.

The Group primarily transacts CDS contracts with investment-grade global financial institutions that are active participants in the CDS market. These transactions are subject to regular margining. For European peripheral sovereigns, credit protection has been purchased from a number of major European banks, predominantly outside the country of the reference entity. In a few cases where protection was bought from banks in the country of the reference entity, giving rise to wrong-way risk, this risk is mitigated through specific collateralisation. Due to their bespoke nature, exposures relating to CDPCs and related hedges have not been included, as they cannot be meaningfully attributed to a particular country or a reference entity. Exposures to CDPCs are disclosed on page 164.

The Group used CDS contracts throughout 2011 to manage both eurozone country and counterparty exposures. As shown in the individual country tables, this resulted in increases in both gross notional bought and sold eurozone CDS contracts, mainly on Italy, France and the Netherlands. The magnitude of the fair value of bought and sold CDS contracts increased over 2011 in line with the widening of eurozone CDS spreads.

For more specific commentary on the Group's exposure to each of the eurozone periphery countries, refer to pages 188 to 196. For commentary on the Group's exposure to other eurozone countries, see page 203.

Risk management: Country risk: Eurozone

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Risk management: Country risk: Ireland

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Risk management: Country risk: Ireland (continued)

Key points

  • The Group's exposure to Ireland is driven by Ulster Bank Group (87% of the Group's Irish exposure at 31 December 2011). The portfolio is predominantly personal lending of £18.9 billion (largely mortgages) and corporate lending of £19.0 billion (largely loans to the property sector). In addition, the Group has lending and derivatives exposure to the Central Bank of Ireland, financial institutions and large international clients with funding units based in Ireland.
  • Group exposure declined in all categories, with notable reductions in lending of £3.4 billion and in off-balance sheet items of £1.4 billion over the year, as a result of currency movements and derisking in the portfolio.

Central and local government and central bank

● Exposure to the central bank fluctuates, driven by regulatory requirements and by deposits of excess liquidity as part of the Group's assets and liabilities management. Exposures fell by £0.7 billion over the year, with most of the decline occurring in the fourth quarter.

Financial institutions

● GBM and Ulster Bank account for the majority of the Group's exposure to financial institutions. Exposure to the financial sector fell by £1.1 billion during the year, caused by a £0.4 billion reduction in lending, a £0.5 billion reduction in debt securities and smaller reductions in derivatives and repos and in off-balance sheet exposure. The largest category is derivatives and repos where exposure is affected predominantly by market movements and transactions are typically collateralised.

Corporate

● Corporate lending exposure fell approximately £0.9 billion over the year, driven by a combination of exchange rate movements and write-offs. At the end of 2011, lending exposure was highest in the property sector (£11.6 billion), which is also the sector that experienced the largest year-onyear reduction (£0.4 billion). REIL and impairment provisions rose by £2.0 billion and £1.6 billion respectively over the year.

Personal

● The Ulster Bank retail portfolio mainly consists of mortgages (approximately 95% of Ulster Bank personal lending at 31 December 2011), with the remainder comprising credit card and other personal lending. Overall personal lending exposure fell approximately £1.4 billion over the year as a result of exchange rate fluctuations, amortisation, a small amount of write-offs and a lack of demand in the market.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

● Ireland Non-Core lending exposure was £10.2 billion at 31 December 2011, down by £0.6 billion or 6% since December 2010. The remaining lending portfolio largely consists of exposures to real estate (79%), retail (7%) and leisure (4%).

Risk management: Country risk: Spain

CD S b
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S a
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20
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68 5 32 4 - - 6.6
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7

Risk management: Country risk: Spain (continued)

Key points

  • The Group maintains strong relationships with Spanish government entities, banks, other financial institutions and large corporate clients. The exposure to Spain is driven by corporate lending and a large MBS covered bond portfolio.
  • Exposure fell in most categories in 2011, particularly in corporate lending, as a result of steps to de-risk the portfolio.

Central and local government and central bank

● The Group's exposure to the government was negative at 31 December 2011, reflecting net short held-for-trading debt securities.

Financial institutions

  • A sizeable covered bond portfolio of £6.5 billion is the Group's largest exposure to the Spanish financial sector. The portfolio continued to perform satisfactorily in 2011. Stress analysis conducted to date on these available-for-sale debt securities indicated that this exposure is unlikely to suffer material credit losses. However, the Group continues to monitor the situation closely.
  • A further £1.9 billion of the Group's exposure to financial institutions consists of derivatives exposure to Spanish international banks and a few of the large regional banks, the majority of which is collateralised. This increased £0.4 billion in 2011, due partly to market movements.
  • Lending to banks consists mainly of short-term uncommitted credit lines with the top two international Spanish banks.

Corporate

● Exposure to corporate clients declined during 2011, with reductions in lending of £1.2 billion and in off-balance sheet items of £0.4 billion, driven by reductions in exposure to property, transport and technology, media and telecommunications sectors. The majority of REIL relates to commercial real estate lending and decreased over the year, reflecting disposals and restructurings.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

● At 31 December 2011, Non-Core had lending exposure of £3.7 billion to Spain, a reduction of £0.8 billion or 18% since December 2010. The real estate (66%), construction (11%), electricity (7%) and land transport (3%) sectors account for the majority of this lending exposure.

Risk management: Country risk: Italy

CD S b
ref
y
ere
nti
ty
nc
e e
S a
AF
nd
HF
de
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se
T
riti
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ve
s
(
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No
tio
l
na
Fa
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alu
e
31
De
mb
20
11
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er
Le
nd
ing
£m
RE
IL
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4
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73 - - - - - - - - 73 - - - -
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31
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20
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5

Risk management: Country risk: Italy (continued)

Key points

● The Group maintains strong relationships with Italian government entities, banks, other financial institutions and large corporate clients. Since the start of 2011, the Group has taken steps to reduce its risks through strategic exits where appropriate, or to mitigate these risks through increased collateral requirements, in line with its evolving appetite for Italian risk. As a result, the Group reduced lending exposure to Italian counterparties by £0.6 billion over 2011 to £3.1 billion.

Central and local government and central bank

  • The Group is an active market-maker in Italian government bonds, resulting in large gross long and short positions in held-for-trading securities. Given this role, the Group left itself in a relatively modest long position at 31 December 2011 to avoid being temporarily over exposed as a result of its expected participation in the purchase of new government bonds being issued in January 2012.
  • Over 2011, the total government debt securities position declined by £2.5 billion to £0.3 billion, reflecting a rebalancing of the trading portfolio.

Financial institutions

● The majority of the Group's exposure to Italian financial institutions relates to the top five banks. The Group's product offering consists largely of collateralised trading products and, to a lesser extent, short-term uncommitted lending lines for liquidity purposes. During the fourth quarter of the year, gross mtm derivatives exposure increased due to market movements but the risk was mitigated since most facilities are fully collateralised.

Corporate

● Lending exposure fell slightly during 2011, with reductions in lending to the property industry offset by increased lending to manufacturing companies, particularly in the fourth quarter.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

● Non-Core lending exposure was £1.2 billion at 31 December 2011, a £0.7 billion (39%) reduction since December 2010. The remaining lending exposure comprises mainly commercial real estate finance (22%), leisure (20%), unleveraged funds (16%), electricity (15%) and industrials (10%).

Risk management: Country risk: Greece

CD S b
ref
y
ere
nti
ty
nc
e e
S a
AF
nd
HF
de
bt
se
T
riti
cu
es
De
riv
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ve
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(
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lan
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No
tio
l
na
Fa
ir v
alu
e
31
De
mb
20
11
ce
er
Le
nd
ing
£m
RE
IL
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s
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7 - - 31
2
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9
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6
3,
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8
3,
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5
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8
(
2,
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0
)
Ce
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al
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6 - - - - - - - - 6 - - - -
Ot
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- - - - - - - - 29
0
29
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22 22 3 (
)
3
Ot
he
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ial
na
nc
in
stit
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ns
31 - - - - - - - 2 33 34 34 8 (
)
8
Co
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42
7
25
6
25
6
- - - - - 63 49
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4
42
8
14
4
(
14
2)
Pe
l
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14 - - - - - - - - 14 - - - -
48
5
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6
25
6
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2
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9
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5
1,
24
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3,
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3,
64
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2,
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3
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31
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mb
20
10
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me
14 - - 89
5
(
69
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11
8
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5
2,
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3,
06
1
85
4
(
87
1)
Ce
ntr
al
ba
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36 - - - - - - - - 36 - - - -
Ot
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18 - - - - - - - 167 185 21 19 3 (
3)
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ial
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nc
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31 - - - - - - - 3 34 35 35 11 (
11
)
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1
48 48 - - - - - 50 24
1
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44 (
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Fa
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No
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No
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l
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Fa
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alu
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31
De
mb
20
11
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er
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Ba
nks
2,
00
1
1,
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5
1 1 - - - - 2,
00
2
1,
34
6
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ial
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titu
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na
nc
ns
1,
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7
94
5
63 45 76 47 - - 1,
64
6
1,
03
7
To
tal
3,
50
8
2,
29
0
64 46 76 47 - - 3,
64
8
2,
38
3

Risk management: Country risk: Greece (continued)

Key points

● The Group has reduced its effective exposure to Greece and continues to actively manage its exposure to the country, in line with the de-risking strategy that has been in place since early 2010. Much of the remaining exposure is collateralised or guaranteed.

Central and local government and central bank

● As a result of the continued deterioration in Greece's fiscal position, coupled with the potential for the restructuring of Greek sovereign debt, the Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of available-for-sale Greek government bonds.

Financial institutions

  • Activity with Greek financial companies is under close scrutiny; exposure is minimal.
  • Due to market movements, the gross derivatives exposure to banks increased by £0.1 billion during the year. The portfolio is largely collateralised.

Corporate

  • At the start of 2011, the Group reclassified the domicile of exposures to a number of defaulted clients, resulting in an increase in reported exposure to Greek corporate clients as well as increases in REIL and impairment provisions.
  • The Group's focus is now on short-term trade facilities to the domestic subsidiaries of international clients, increasingly supported by parental guarantees.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

● The Non-Core division's lending exposure to Greece was £0.1 billion at 31 December 2011, a reduction of 28% since December 2010. The remaining lending portfolio primarily consists of the following sectors: financial intermediaries (33%), construction (20%), other services (16%) and electricity (14%).

Risk management: Country risk: Portugal

CD S b
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Risk management: Country risk: Portugal (continued)

Key points

● In early 2011, RBS closed its local operations in Portugal, leaving the Group with modest overall exposure of £1.4 billion by year-end. The portfolio, now managed out of Spain, is focused on corporate lending and derivatives trading with the largest local banks. Medium-term activity has ceased with the exception of that carried out under a Credit Support Annex.

Central and local government and central bank

● During 2011, the Group's exposure to the Portuguese government was reduced to a very small derivatives position, the result of decreases in contingent and lending exposures to public sector entities by way of facility maturities. The Group's exposure to the government was negative at 31 December 2011, reflecting net short held-for-trading debt securities.

Financial institutions

● A major proportion of the remaining exposures is focused on the top four systemically important financial groups. Exposures generally consist of collateralised trading products.

Corporate

● The largest non-financial corporate exposure is to the energy and transport sectors. The Group's exposure is concentrated on a few large, highly creditworthy clients.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

● The Non-Core division's lending exposure to Portugal was £0.3 billion at 31 December 2011, an increase of 8% in the portfolio since December 2010, due to an infrastructure project drawing committed facilities. The portfolio comprises lending exposure to the land transport and logistics (52%), electricity (30%) and commercial real estate (14%) sectors. There is no exposure to central or local government.

Risk management: Country risk: Germany

CD S b
ref
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31
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Risk management: Country risk: Netherlands

CD S b
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Risk management: Country risk: France

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31
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31
De
mb
20
11
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Risk management: Country risk: Luxembourg

CD S b
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tio
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31
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20
11
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8
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Risk management: Country risk: Belgium

CD S b
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nti
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AQ 1 AQ
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AQ 10 To tal
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No
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No
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No
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e
31
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3 - 16 1 - - 2,
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7
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6

Risk management: Country risk: Rest of eurozone (1)

HF T De
riv
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ve
s
CD S b
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nti
ty
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13 70 6 1,
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1)
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CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

AQ 1 AQ
2-A
Q
3
AQ
4-A
Q
9
AQ 10 To
tal
No
tio
l
na
Fa
ir v
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e
No
tio
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na
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e
No
tio
l
na
Fa
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e
No
tio
l
na
Fa
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e
No
tio
l
na
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ir v
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e
31
De
mb
20
11
ce
er
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
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nks
2,
87
7
58 50 1 - - - - 2,
92
7
59
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r fi
he
ial
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titu
tio
na
nc
ns
3,
46
4
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49
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67
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tal
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1
12
5
54 1 30 - - - 6,
42
5
12
6

Note: (1) Comprises Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Risk management: Country risk: Eurozone non-periphery

Key points

  • Due to credit risk and capital considerations, the Group increased exposure to central banks (particularly in Germany and the Netherlands) by depositing with them higher levels of surplus liquidity on a short-term basis, given the limited alternative investment opportunities.
  • During 2011, in anticipation of widening credit spreads and for reasons of general risk management, the Group reduced its holdings in French and Dutch AFS sovereign bonds. The Group concurrently increased its holdings of German AFS sovereign debt in line with internal liquidity and risk management strategies.

Financial institutions

  • France approximately half of the lending to banks is to the top three banks.
  • Luxembourg lending to non-bank financial institutions increased by £1.0 billion during 2011, reflecting collateral relating to derivatives and repos.

Corporate

● Netherlands - corporate lending fell £1.3 billion over 2011, driven by the manufacturing, natural resources and services sectors. The relatively large contingent liabilities and commitments declined £7.9 billion.

Non-Core (included above)

Refer to table on pages 182 and 183 for details.

  • Non-Core lending exposure has been generally reduced in line with the Group's strategic plan. Lending exposure in France was £2.3 billion at 31 December 2011, having declined £0.5 billion during 2011. The lending portfolio mainly comprises property (45%) and sovereign and quasisovereign (20%) exposures.
  • Non-Core lending exposure in Germany was £5.4 billion at 31 December 2011, down £1.1 billion since December 2010. The lending portfolio is mostly in the property (44%) and transport (35%) sectors.
  • Non-Core lending exposure in the Netherlands was £2.5 billion at 31 December 2011, down £0.7 billion year on year. The portfolio mainly comprises exposures to the property (66%) and technology, media and telecommunications (19%) sectors.

Risk management: Country risk

Notes to tables on page 182 to 202.

Lending comprises gross loans and advances to: central and local governments; central banks, including cash balances; other banks and financial institutions, incorporating overdraft and other shortterm facilities; corporations, in large part loans and leases; and individuals, comprising mortgages, personal loans and credit card balances. Lending includes impaired loans and loans where an impairment event has taken place but no impairment provision is recognised.

Debt securities comprise securities classified as available-for-sale (AFS), loans and receivables (LAR), held-for-trading (HFT) and designated as at fair value through profit or loss (DFV). All debt securities other than LAR securities are carried at fair value. LAR debt securities are carried at amortised cost less impairment. HFT debt securities are presented as gross long positions (including DFV securities) and short positions per country. Impairment losses and exchange differences relating to AFS debt securities, together with interest are recognised in the income statement; other changes in the fair value of AFS securities are reported within AFS reserves, which are presented gross of tax.

Derivatives comprise the mark-to-market (mtm) value of such contracts after the effect of enforceable netting agreements, but gross of collateral. Reverse repurchase agreements (repos) comprise the mtm value of counterparty exposure arising from repo transactions net of collateral.

Balance sheet exposures comprise lending exposures, debt securities and derivatives and repo exposures.

Contingent liabilities and commitments comprise contingent liabilities, including guarantees, and committed undrawn facilities.

Asset Quality (AQ) - for the probability of default range relating to each internal asset quality band, refer to page 163.

Credit default swap (CDS) under CDS contract, the credit risk on the reference entity is transferred from the buyer to the seller. The fair value, or mtm, represents the balance sheet carrying value. The mtm value of CDSs is included within derivatives against the counterparty of the trade, as opposed to the reference entity. The notional is the par amount of the credit protection bought or sold and is included against the reference entity of the CDS contract.

The column CDS notional less fair value represents the notional less fair value amounts arising from sold positions netted against those arising from bought positions, and represents the net change in exposure for a given reference entity should the CDS contract be triggered by a credit event, assuming there is zero recovery rate. However, in most cases, the Group expects the recovery rate to be greater than zero and the change in exposure to be less than this amount.

Market risk

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, foreign currency, credit spreads, equity prices and risk related factors such as market volatilities. The Group manages market risk centrally within its trading and non-trading portfolios through a comprehensive market risk management framework. This control framework includes qualitative guidance in the form of comprehensive policy statements, dealing authorities, limits based on, but not limited to, value-at-risk (VaR), stress testing, positions and sensitivity analyses.

Following the implementation of CRD III, the Group is required to calculate: (i) an additional capital charge based on a stressed calibration of the VaR model - Stressed VaR; (ii) an Incremental Risk Charge to capture the default and migration risk for credit risk positions in the trading book; and (iii) an All Price Risk measure for correlation trading positions, subject to a capital floor that is based on standardised securitisation charges. The capital charges at 31 December 2011 associated with the new models are shown in the table below:

Total
£m
Stressed VaR 1,682
Incremental Risk Charge 469
All Price Risk 297

For a description of the Group's basis of measurement and methodology enhancements, refer to the 2011 Annual Report and Accounts: Market risk.

1111 3 2 4 9 13 21 25 27 22 37 20 16 13 10 5 4 5 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 5 6 4 7 16 26 17 20 23 23 30 20 16 13 7 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 (40) < (35) (35) < (30) (30) < (25) (25) < (20) (20) > < (15) (15) > < (10) (10) > < (5) (5) > < 0 0 > < 5 5 > < 10 10 > < 15 15 > < 20 20 > < 25 25 > < 30 30 > < 35 35 > < 40 40 > < 45 45 > < 50 50 > < 55 55 > < 60 60 > < 65 65 > < 70 70 > < 75 75 > < 80 80 > < 85 85 > < 90 90 > < 95 95 > < 100 GBP £m Number of trading days Full year 2010 Full year 2011

Daily distribution of GBM trading revenues

Note:

(1) The effect of any month end adjustments, not attributable to a specific daily market move, is spread evenly over the days in the month in question.

Market risk (continued)

Key points

  • GBM trading revenue was adversely affected by ongoing concerns around the European sovereign crisis and an overall uncertain macroeconomic environment. High volatility in the markets and increasingly risk-averse sentiment reduced levels of trading activity.
  • The average daily trading revenue earned by GBM's trading activities in 2011 was £19 million, compared with £25 million in 2010. The standard deviation of the daily revenues in 2011 was £21 million, down from £22 million in 2010. The standard deviation measures the variation of daily revenues about the mean value of those revenues.
  • The number of days with negative revenue increased from 22 days in 2010 to 42 days in 2011, primarily due to the market and economic conditions referred to above.
  • The most frequent result is daily revenue of between £25 million and £30 million, of which there were 30 occurrences in 2011, compared with 37 in 2010.

The tables below detail VaR for the Group's trading portfolios, segregated by type of market risk exposure, and between Core and Non-Core, Counterparty Exposure Management (CEM) and Core excluding CEM.

Year ended
31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Average Period end Maximum Minimum Average Period end Maximum Minimum
Trading VaR £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Interest rate 53.4 68.1 79.2 27.5 51.6 57.0 83.0 32.5
Credit spread 82.7 74.3 151.1 47.4 166.3 133.4 243.2 110.2
Currency 10.3 16.2 19.2 5.2 17.9 14.8 28.0 8.4
Equity 9.4 8.0 17.3 4.6 9.5 10.9 17.9 2.7
Commodity 1.4 2.3 7.0 - 9.5 0.5 18.1 0.5
Diversification (1) (52.3) (75.6)
Total 105.5 116.6 181.3 59.7 168.5 141.0 252.1 103.0
Core (Total) 75.8 89.1 133.9 41.7 103.6 101.2 153.4 58.3
Core CEM 36.8 52.4 54.1 21.9 53.3 54.6 82.4 30.3
Core excluding CEM 59.2 42.1 106.2 35.3 82.8 78.7 108.7 53.6
Non-Core 64.4 34.6 128.6 30.0 105.7 101.4 169.4 63.2

Note:

(1) The Group benefits from diversification, which reflects the risk reduction achieved by allocating investments across various financial instrument types, industry counterparties, currencies and regions. The extent of diversification benefit depends on the correlation between the assets and risk factors in the portfolio at a particular time. Diversification has an inverse relationship with correlation. The diversification factor is the sum of the VaR on individual risk types less the total portfolio VaR.

Market risk (continued)

Quarter ended
31 December 2011 30 September 2011
Average Period end Maximum Minimum Average Period end Maximum Minimum
Trading VaR £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Interest rate 62.5 68.1 72.3 50.8 51.3 73.0 73.1 33.1
Credit spread 68.4 74.3 78.5 57.4 56.2 69.8 69.8 47.4
Currency 10.9 16.2 19.2 5.7 8.7 6.5 12.5 6.1
Equity 8.3 8.0 12.5 5.0 7.9 7.7 13.1 4.6
Commodity 4.3 2.3 7.0 2.0 0.9 3.6 3.6 0.1
Diversification (1) (52.3) (54.3)
Total 109.7 116.6 132.2 83.5 78.3 106.3 114.2 59.7
Core (Total) 77.3 89.1 95.6 57.7 58.3 83.1 91.0 41.7
Core CEM 46.1 52.4 54.1 39.0 34.4 38.0 45.2 23.5
Core excluding CEM 47.9 42.1 69.5 38.7 44.3 62.2 71.4 35.3
Non-Core 35.2 34.6 40.7 30.0 40.4 38.7 53.0 33.2

Note:

(1) The Group benefits from diversification, which reflects the risk reduction achieved by allocating investments across various financial instrument types, industry counterparties, currencies and regions. The extent of diversification benefit depends on the correlation between the assets and risk factors in the portfolio at a particular time. Diversification has an inverse relationship with correlation. The diversification factor is the sum of the VaR on individual risk types less the total portfolio VaR.

  • The Group's market risk profile in 2010 was equally split across Non-Core and Core divisions, with a concentrated exposure to credit spread risk factors. The credit spread risk exposure significantly decreased in 2011, primarily due to the reduction in ABS trading inventory in Core and the restructuring of some monoline hedges for banking book exposures in Non-Core, in line with the overall business strategy to reduce risk exposures. The VaR also decreased due to the adoption of a more appropriate daily time series for sub-prime/subordinated RMBS and as the period of high volatility relating to the 2008/2009 financial crisis dropped out of the VaR calculation.
  • The average credit spread VaR for Q4 2011 was slightly higher than the average for Q3 2011 due to improvements to the credit default swap time series and as the volatility from European sovereign peripheral countries entered the two-year time series used in the VaR calculation.
  • The Group's average interest rate VaR was slightly higher in Q4 2011 than in Q3 2011 due to the repositioning of interest rate exposures, reflecting market expectations that sterling would rally in the event of a eurozone break-up. Overall the average interest rate trading VaR was relatively unchanged between 2011 and 2010.
  • At period end 2010, the commodity VaR was materially lower than the average for that year as a result of the completion of the sale of the Group's interest in the RBS Sempra Commodities joint venture. The commodity VaR increased slightly from mid-September 2011, due to improvements in capturing risk for commodity futures and indices.

Market risk (continued)

The tables below detail VaR for the Group's non-trading portfolio, excluding the structured credit portfolio (SCP) and loans and receivables (LAR), segregated by type of market risk exposure and between Core and Non-Core.

Year ended
31 December 2011 31 December 2010
Non-trading VaR Average
£m
Period end
£m
Maximum
£m
Minimum
£m
£m Average Period end
£m
Maximum
£m
Minimum
£m
Interest rate 8.8 9.9 11.1 5.7 8.7 10.4 20.5 4.4
Credit spread 18.2 13.6 39.3 12.1 32.0 16.1 101.2 15.4
Currency 2.1 4.0 5.9 0.1 2.1 3.0 7.6 0.3
Equity 2.1 1.9 3.1 1.6 1.2 3.1 4.6 0.2
Diversification (13.6) (15.9)
Total 19.7 15.8 41.6 13.4 30.9 16.7 98.0 13.7
Core 19.3 15.1 38.9 13.5 30.5 15.6 98.1 12.8
Non-Core 3.4 2.5 4.3 2.2 1.3 2.8 4.1 0.2
Quarter ended
31 December 2011 30 September 2011
Average Period end Maximum Minimum Average Period end Maximum Minimum
Non-trading VaR £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Interest rate 9.7 9.9 10.9 8.8 9.6 10.3 11.1 8.2
Credit spread 13.9 13.6 15.7 12.1 16.0 14.8 18.0 14.1
Currency 3.5 4.0 5.1 2.4 3.0 4.1 5.9 1.1
Equity 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.8 2.0 1.6
Diversification (13.6) (13.5)
Total 16.3 15.8 20.0 14.2 17.6 17.5 18.9 15.7
Core 16.0 15.1 18.9 14.1 17.4 18.6 20.1 15.2
Non-Core 3.4 2.5 3.9 2.5 3.9 3.7 4.3 3.2

Note:

(1) The Group benefits from diversification, which reflects the risk reduction achieved by allocating investments across various financial instrument types, industry counterparties, currencies and regions. The extent of diversification benefit depends on the correlation between the assets and risk factors in the portfolio at a particular time. Diversification has an inverse relationship with correlation. The diversification factor is the sum of the VaR on individual risk types less the total portfolio VaR.

  • The Group's total non-trading VaR at 31 December 2011 was lower than at 31 December 2010, due to the exceptional volatility of the 2008/2009 financial crisis dropping out of the two year time series data used in the VaR calculation.
  • The maximum credit spread VaR was considerably lower in 2011 than in 2010. This was due to the implementation in early 2011 of the relative price-based mapping scheme for the Dutch RMBS portfolio. The availability of more granular data provided a better reflection of the risk in the portfolio.

Market risk (continued)

Structured Credit Portfolio (SCP)

Fair value
Drawn notional Other Other
CDOs CLOs MBS (1) ABS Total CDOs CLOs MBS (1) ABS Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
31 December 2011
1-2 years - - - 27 27 - - - 22 22
2-3 years - - 10 196 206 - - 9 182 191
4-5 years - 37 37 95 169 - 34 30 88 152
5-10 years 32 503 270 268 1,073 30 455 184 229 898
>10 years 2,180 442 464 593 3,679 766 371 291 347 1,775
2,212 982 781 1,179 5,154 796 860 514 868 3,038
30 September 2011
1-2 years - - 29 36 65 - - 28 31 59
2-3 years - - 5 172 177 - - 4 160 164
3-4 years 6 - 6 43 55 5 - 5 40 50
4-5 years - 39 - 95 134 - 36 - 88 124
5-10 years 32 517 317 277 1,143 30 469 230 242 971
>10 years 1,296 454 470 593 2,813 228 394 314 349 1,285
1,334 1,010 827 1,216 4,387 263 899 581 910 2,653
31 December 2010
1-2 years - - - 47 47 - - - 42 42
2-3 years 85 19 44 98 246 81 18 37 91 227
3-4 years - 41 20 205 266 - 37 19 191 247
4-5 years 16 - - - 16 15 - - - 15
5-10 years 98 466 311 437 1,312 87 422 220 384 1,113
>10 years 412 663 584 550 2,209 161 515 397 367 1,440
611 1,189 959 1,337 4,096 344 992 673 1,075 3,084

Notes:

(1) MBS include sub-prime RMBS with a notional amount of £401 million (30 September 2011 - £406 million; 31 December 2010 - £471 million) and a fair value of £252 million (30 September 2011 - £274 million; 31 December 2010 - £329 million), all with residual maturities of greater than ten years.

(2) This table relates to open market risk in SCP.

The Structured Credit Portfolio is within Non-Core. The risk in this portfolio is not measured or disclosed using VaR, as the Group believes this is not an appropriate tool for the banking book portfolio, which comprises illiquid debt securities. These assets are reported on a drawn notional and fair value basis, and managed on a third party asset and RWA basis.

  • The increase in total and CDO drawn notional year-on-year is due to the inclusion of banking book exposures that were previously hedged by monoline protection. As a result of the restructuring of some monoline protection, those previously protected assets are now reported on a drawn notional and fair value basis.
  • The overall reduction in CLO, MBS and other ABS drawn notional is due to the amortisations and pay downs over the year in line with expected amortisation profiles. In addition to this, fair value has declined due to falling market prices.

Risk factors

Set out below is a summary of certain risks which could adversely affect the Group; it should be read in conjunction with the Balance Sheet Management and Risk Management sections of the Business Review (pages 128 to 209). This summary should not be regarded as a complete and comprehensive statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. A fuller description of these and other risk factors is included in the Group's 2011 Annual Report and Accounts.

  • The Group's businesses, earnings and financial condition have been and will continue to be affected by geopolitical conditions, the global economy, the instability in the global financial markets and increased competition. Together with a perceived increased risk of default on the sovereign debt of certain European countries and unprecedented stresses on the financial system within the eurozone, these factors have resulted in significant changes in market conditions including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit spreads, and other market factors and consequent changes in asset valuations.
  • The Group's ability to meet its obligations' including its funding commitments, depends on the Group's ability to access sources of liquidity and funding. The inability to access liquidity and funding due to market conditions or otherwise could adversely affect the Group's financial condition. Furthermore, the Group's borrowing costs and its access to the debt capital markets and other sources of liquidity depend significantly on its and the UK Government's credit ratings.
  • The Independent Commission on Banking has published its final report on competition and possible structural reforms in the UK banking industry. The Government has indicated that it supports and intends to implement the recommendations substantially as proposed which could have a material adverse effect on the Group.
  • The Group's ability to implement its strategic plan depends on the success of its efforts to refocus on its core strengths and its balance sheet reduction programme. As part of the Group's strategic plan and implementation of the State Aid restructuring plan agreed with the European Commission and HM Treasury, the Group is undertaking an extensive restructuring which may adversely affect the Group's business, results of operations and financial condition and give rise to increased operational risk and may impair the Group's ability to raise new Tier 1 capital due to restrictions on its ability to make discretionary dividend or coupon payments on certain securities.
  • The occurrence of a delay in the implementation of (or any failure to implement) the approved proposed transfers of a substantial part of the business activities of RBS N.V. to the Royal Bank of Scotland plc may have a material adverse effect on the Group.
  • The Group or any of its UK bank subsidiaries may face the risk of full nationalisation or other resolution procedures and various actions could be taken by or on behalf of the UK Government, including actions in relation to any securities issued, new or existing contractual arrangements and transfers of part or all of the Group's businesses.

Risk factors (continued)

  • The actual or perceived failure or worsening credit of the Group's counterparties or borrowers and depressed asset valuations resulting from poor market conditions have adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect the Group.
  • The value of certain financial instruments recorded at fair value is determined using financial models incorporating assumptions, judgements and estimates that may change over time or may ultimately not turn out to be accurate.
  • The Group's insurance businesses are subject to inherent risks involving claims on insured events.
  • The Group's business performance, financial condition and capital and liquidity ratios could be adversely affected if its capital is not managed effectively or as a result of changes to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements, including those arising out of Basel III implementation (globally or by European or UK authorities), or if the Group is unable to issue Contingent B Shares to HM Treasury under certain circumstances.
  • The Group could fail to attract or retain senior management, which may include members of the Group Board, or other key employees, and it may suffer if it does not maintain good employee relations.
  • Any significant developments in regulatory or tax legislation could have an effect on how the Group conducts its business and on its results of operations and financial condition, and the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets recognised by the Group is subject to uncertainty.
  • The Group is subject to substantial regulation and oversight, and any significant regulatory or legal developments could have an adverse effect on how the Group conducts its business and on its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the Group is and may be subject to litigation and regulatory investigations that may impact its business, results of operations and financial condition.
  • Operational and reputational risks are inherent in the Group's operations.
  • The Group may be required to make contributions to its pension schemes and government compensation schemes, either of which may have an adverse impact on the Group's results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
  • As a result of the UK Government's majority shareholding in the Group it can, and in the future may decide to, exercise a significant degree of influence over the Group including on dividend policy, modifying or cancelling contracts or limiting the Group's operations. The offer or sale by the UK Government of all or a portion of its shareholding in the company could affect the market price of the equity shares and other securities and acquisitions of ordinary shares by the UK Government (including through conversions of other securities or further purchases of shares) may result in the delisting of the Group from the Official List.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The responsibility statement below has been prepared in connection with the Group's full Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011.

We, the directors listed below, confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

  • the financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and
  • the Business review, which is incorporated into the Directors' report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

Philip Hampton Stephen Hester Bruce Van Saun
Chairman Group Chief Executive Group Finance Director

22 February 2012

Board of directors

Philip Hampton Stephen Hester Bruce Van Saun

Chairman Executive directors Non-executive directors

Sandy Crombie Alison Davis Tony Di lorio Penny Hughes Joe MacHale John McFarlane Brendan Nelson Baroness Noakes Arthur 'Art' Ryan Philip Scott

Additional information

2011 2010
Ordinary share price £0.202 £0.391
Number of ordinary shares in issue 59,228m 58,458m

Statutory results

Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 ('the Act'). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 31 December 2011 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies following the company's Annual General Meeting. The report of the auditor on those statutory accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act.

Filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission

A report on Form 20-F will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.

Financial calendar
2012 first quarter interim management statement Friday 4 May 2012

2012 interim results announcement Friday 3 August 2012

2012 third quarter interim management statement Friday 2 November 2012

Appendix 1

Income statement reconciliations

Appendix 1 Income statement reconciliations

Ye
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31 De
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Appendix 1 Income statement reconciliations (continued)

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ry
an
are
rs
(
1,
99
7)
- (
1,
99
7)
(
1,
12
5
)
- (
1,
12
5
)

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of £225 million (2010 - £75 million loss) to income from trading activities and £1,621 million (2010 - £249 million gain) to other operating income.

(2) Reallocation to income from trading activities.

Appendix 1 Income statement reconciliations (continued)

Qu
art
de
d
er
en
31
De
mb
20
ce
er
11 30
Se
be
r 2
01
tem
p
1 31
De
mb
20
ce
er
10
Re
allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Re
allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Re
allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Int
eiv
ab
le
st
ere
rec
5,
23
4
- 5,
23
4
5,
37
1
- 5,
37
1
5,
61
1
1 5,
61
2
Int
st
ab
le
ere
pa
y
(
)
2,
15
8
(
2)
(
)
2,
16
0
(
)
2,
29
3
(
1)
(
4)
2,
29
(
)
2,
03
3
1 (
2)
2,
03
Ne
t in
t in
ter
es
co
me
3,
07
6
(
2)
3,
07
4
3,
07
8
(
1)
3,
07
7
3,
57
8
2 3,
58
0
Fe
d c
mis
sio
eiv
ab
le
es
an
om
ns
rec
1,
59
0
- 1,
59
0
1,
45
2
- 1,
45
2
2,
05
3
(
1)
20
52
Fe
d c
mis
sio
ab
le
es
an
om
ns
pa
y
(
57
3
)
- (
57
3
)
(
30
4)
- (
30
4)
(
44
9
)
- (
44
9
)
Inc
e f
din
ivit
ies
tra
act
om
rom
g
14
0
(
)
37
8
(
23
8
)
54
7
41
0
95
7
97
9
(
)
61
5
36
4
Ga
in o
ed
tio
f o
de
bt
n r
em
p
n o
wn
- (
1)
(
1)
- 1 1 - - -
Ot
he
ing
in
(e
lud
ing
in
mi
in
)
rat
r o
pe
co
me
xc
su
ran
ce
pre
um
co
me
5
40
(
)
20
0
5
20
54
9
1,
83
5
2,
38
4
26 97
7
1,
00
3
Ins
ium
in
t p
ura
nce
ne
rem
co
me
98
1
- 98
1
1,
03
6
- 1,
03
6
1,
27
2
- 1,
27
2
No
n-i
t in
nte
res
co
me
54
2,
3
(
)
57
9
1,
96
4
3,
28
0
2,
24
6
5,
52
6
3,
88
1
36
1
4,
24
2
To
tal
in
co
me
5,
61
9
(
1)
58
5,
03
8
6,
35
8
2,
24
5
8,
60
3
7,
45
9
36
3
7,
82
2
Sta
ff c
ost
s
(
1,
78
1)
(
21
2)
(
1,
99
3
)
(
1,
96
3
)
(
113
)
(
2,
07
6
)
(
2,
05
9
)
(
135
)
(
2,
19
4)
Pre
mis
d e
ipm
t
es
an
qu
en
(
)
57
5
(
)
99
(
4)
67
(
4)
58
(
)
20
(
4)
60
(
)
63
6
(
)
73
(
)
70
9
Ot
he
dm
inis
tive
tra
r a
ex
pe
nse
s
(
83
8
)
(
45
8
)
(
1,
29
6
)
(
85
8
)
(
104
)
(
96
2)
(
93
8
)
(
110
)
(
1,
04
8
)
De
cia
tio
nd
isa
tio
ort
pre
n a
am
n
(
)
45
0
(
)
63
(
)
51
3
(
)
41
6
(
)
69
(
)
48
5
(
)
44
8
(
)
98
(
)
54
6
Wr
ite
do
of
dw
ill a
nd
oth
inta
ible
set
wn
g
oo
er
ng
as
s
- (
)
91
(
91
)
- - - - (
)
10
(
10
)
Op
tin
era
g
ex
p
en
se
s
(
4)
3,
64
(
)
92
3
(
7)
4,
56
(
1)
3,
82
(
)
30
6
(
7)
4,
12
(
1)
4,
08
(
)
42
6
(
7)
4,
50
Pro
fit
be
for
the
tin
ch
e o
r o
p
era
g
arg
es
1,
97
5
(
1,
50
4)
47
1
2,
53
7
1,
93
9
4,
47
6
3,
37
8
(
63
)
3,
31
5
Ins
t c
laim
ura
nce
ne
s
(
)
52
9
- (
)
52
9
(
4)
73
- (
4)
73
(
2)
1,
18
- (
2)
1,
18
Op
tin
rof
it/
(
los
)
be
for
e i
air
los
nt
era
g
p
s
mp
me
se
s
1,
44
6
(
1,
50
4)
(
58
)
1,
80
3
1,
93
9
3,
74
2
2,
19
6
(
63
)
2,
13
3
Im
irm
t lo
pa
en
sse
s
(
2)
1,
69
(
)
22
6
(
)
1,
91
8
(
)
1,
53
6
(
2)
20
(
)
1,
73
8
(
1)
2,
14
- (
1)
2,
14
Op
tin
(
los
)
/p
rof
it
era
g
s
(
24
6
)
(
1,
73
0
)
(
1,
97
6
)
26
7
1,
73
7
2,
00
4
55 (
63
)
(
8
)

Appendix 1 Income statement reconciliations (continued)

Qu
de
d
art
er
en
31
De
Se
30
tem
be
r 2
01
1
p
31
De
mb
20
ce
er
10
Re
allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Re allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Re
allo
ion
cat
of
ff
on
e-o
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Ma
ed
na
g
£m
ite
ms
£m
Sta
tut
ory
£m
Op
tin
(
los
)
/p
rof
it
era
g
s
(
)
24
6
(
)
1,
73
0
(
)
1,
97
6
26
7
1,
73
7
2,
00
4
55 (
)
63
(
)
8
Fa
ir v
alu
f o
de
bt
(
1)
e o
wn
(
37
0
)
37
0
- 2,
35
7
(
2,
35
7)
- 58
2
(
58
2)
-
n S
(
2)
As
set
Pr
ote
ctio
ch
em
e
(
)
20
9
20
9
- (
)
60
60 - (
)
72
5
72
5
-
So
rei
n d
eb
t im
irm
t
ve
g
pa
en
(
22
4)
22
4
- (
14
2)
142 - - - -
f p
Am
ort
isa
tio
ha
d i
nta
ible
set
n o
urc
se
ng
as
s
(
)
53
53 - (
)
69
69 - (
)
96
96 -
Int
ion
d r
ing
rat
est
tur
sts
eg
an
ruc
co
(
47
8
)
47
8
- (
23
3
)
23
3
- (
29
9
)
29
9
-
Ga
in o
ed
tio
f o
de
bt
n r
em
p
n o
wn
(
1)
1 - 1 (
1)
- - - -
Str
ic d
isp
als
ate
g
os
(
82
)
82 - (
49
)
49 - 50
2
(
2)
50
-
Ba
nk
lev
y
(
30
0
)
30
0
- - - - - - -
Bo
s t
nu
ax
- - - (
5
)
5 - (
15
)
15 -
Wr
ite-
do
of
dw
ill a
nd
oth
inta
ible
set
wn
g
oo
er
ng
as
s
(
11
)
11 - - - - (
10
)
10 -
Int
e h
ed
dju
im
ire
d a
ilab
le-
for
le
st
rat
stm
ts
ere
g
e a
en
on
pa
va
-sa
G
k g
bo
nd
nt
ree
ov
ern
me
s
- - - (
60
)
60 - - - -
S H
RF
old
ing
ino
rity
in
ter
est
s m
(
2)
2 - (
)
3
3 - (
2)
2 -
(
Lo
)
/p
rof
it b
efo
tax
ss
re
(
1,
97
6
)
- (
1,
97
6
)
2,
00
4
- 2,
00
4
(
8
)
- (
8
)
it/
(c
)
Ta
red
ha
x c
rg
e
18
6
- 18
6
(
1)
79
- (
1)
79
3 - 3
(
Lo
)
/p
rof
it f
nti
ing
tio
ss
rom
co
nu
op
era
ns
(
1,
79
0
)
- (
1,
79
0
)
1,
21
3
- 1,
21
3
(
5
)
- (
5
)
fit/
(
)
fro
of
Pro
los
dis
nti
ed
tio
et
tax
s
m
co
nu
op
era
ns
, n
10 - 10 6 - 6 55 - 55
(
Lo
)
/p
rof
it f
the
eri
od
ss
or
p
(
1,
78
0
)
- (
1,
78
0
)
1,
21
9
- 1,
21
9
50 - 50
No
llin
inte
tro
ts
n-c
on
g
res
(
)
18
- (
)
18
7 - 7 (
)
38
- (
)
38
/p
(
Lo
)
rof
it a
ibu
tab
le t
rdi
d B
sh
ho
lde
ttr
ss
o o
na
ry
an
are
rs
(
1,
79
8
)
- (
1,
79
8
)
1,
22
6
- 1,
22
6
12 - 12

Notes:

(1) Reallocation of £170 million loss (Q3 2011 - £470 million; Q4 2010 - £110 million) to income from trading activities and £200 million loss (Q3 2011 - £1,887 million; Q4 2010 - £472 million) to other operating income.

(2) Reallocation to income from trading activities.

Appendix 2

Businesses outlined for disposal

RBS Group – Annual Results 2011

Appendix 2 Businesses outlined for disposal

To comply with EC State Aid requirements the Group agreed to make a series of divestments by the end of 2013: the disposal of RBS Insurance, Global Merchant Services and its interest in RBS Sempra Commodities JV. The Group also agreed to dispose of its RBS England and Wales and NatWest Scotland branch-based businesses, along with certain SME and corporate activities across the UK ('UK branch-based businesses'). The disposals of Global Merchant Services and RBS Sempra Commodities JV businesses have now effectively been completed.

The sale of the Group's UK branch-based businesses to Santander UK plc continues to make good progress and is expected to substantially complete in the fourth quarter of 2012, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

The disposal of RBS Insurance, the base case plan for which is by way of a public flotation, is targeted to commence in the second half of 2012, subject to market conditions. External advisors have been appointed to assist the Group with the disposal and the process of separation is proceeding on plan. In the meantime, the business continues to be managed and reported as a separate core division.

The table below shows total income and operating profit of RBS Insurance and the UK branch-based businesses.

Total income Operating profit/(loss)
before impairments
Operating profit/(loss)
2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m £m £m
RBS Insurance (1) 4,286 5,302 407 (341) 407 (341)
UK branch-based businesses (2) 959 902 518 439 319 160
Total 5,245 6,204 925 98 726 (181)

The table below shows the estimated risk-weighted assets, total assets and capital of the businesses identified for disposal.

RWAs Total assets Capital
2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010
£bn £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
RBS Insurance (1) n/m n/m 13.9 14.0 4.4 4.0
UK branch-based businesses (2) 11.1 13.2 19.3 19.9 1.0 1.2
Total 11.1 13.2 33.2 33.9 5.4 5.2

Notes:

(1) Total income includes investment income of £302 million (2010 - £309 million). Total assets and estimated capital include approximately £0.9 billion of goodwill, of which £0.7 billion is attributed to RBS Insurance by RBS Group.

(2) Estimated notional equity based on 9% of RWAs.

Appendix 2 Businesses outlined for disposal (continued)

Further information on the UK branch-based businesses by division is shown in the tables below:

Division Total
UK UK
Retail Corporate 2011 2010
£m £m £m £m
Income statement
Net interest income 329 360 689 656
Non-interest income 108 162 270 246
Total income 437 522 959 902
Direct expenses
- staff (74) (84) (158) (176)
- other (106) (60) (166) (144)
Indirect expenses (67) (50) (117) (143)
(247) (194) (441) (463)
Operating profit before impairment losses 190 328 518 439
Impairment losses (1) (92) (107) (199) (279)
Operating profit 98 221 319 160
Analysis of income by product
Loans and advances 125 311 436 445
Deposits 101 144 245 261
Mortgages 134 - 134 120
Other 77 67 144 76
Total income 437 522 959 902
Net interest margin 4.92% 2.85% 3.57% 3.24%
Employee numbers (full time equivalents rounded to the
nearest hundred) 2,800 1,600 4,400 4,400

Note:

(1) For the year ended 31 December 2011, impairment losses benefited from £75 million of latent and other provision releases.

Division Total
UK
Retail
£bn
UK
Corporate
£bn
Global
Banking
& Markets
£bn
2011
£bn
2010
£bn
Capital and balance sheet
Total third party assets (excluding mark-to-
market derivatives) 7.2 11.7 - 18.9 19.9
Loans and advances to customers (gross) 7.3 12.2 - 19.5 20.7
Customer deposits 8.8 13.0 - 21.8 24.0
Derivative assets - - 0.4 0.4 n/a
Derivative liabilities - - 0.1 0.1 n/a
Risk elements in lending 0.5 1.0 - 1.5 1.7
Loan:deposit ratio 79% 90% - 86% 83%
Risk-weighted assets 3.6 7.5 - 11.1 13.2

Appendix 2 Businesses outlined for disposal (continued)

The following information has been prepared to present RBS Insurance Group on a stand alone basis. The income statement includes the results of Direct Line Versicherung AG (DLVAG) (which is owned by National Westminster Bank plc), however the balance sheet excludes the balance sheet of DLVAG. The total assets and net assets of DLVAG are included in note 1 below.

R
B
S
In
su
ra
nc
e
Ye
de
d
ar
en
31
De
mb
20
11
ce
er
31 De
mb
20
10
ce
er
31
De
mb
ce
er
20
09
Co
re
No
n-C
ore
To
tal
Co
re
No
n-C
ore
To
tal
Co
re
No
n-C
ore
To
tal
Inc
Sta
tem
t
om
e
en
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Ea
d p
ium
rne
rem
s
4,
22
1
30
4
52
5
4,
4,
45
9
73
3
5,
192
4,
51
9
81
0
5,
32
9
Re
ins
rs'
sh
ure
are
(
25
2)
(
18
)
(
27
0
)
(
148
)
(
31
)
(
179
)
(
165
)
(
26
)
(
19
1)
Ne
ium
in
t p
rem
co
me
3,
96
9
28
6
4,
25
5
4,
31
1
70
2
5,
01
3
4,
35
4
78
4
5,
138
Fe
d c
mis
sio
es
an
om
ns
(
40
0
)
(
93
)
(
49
3
)
(
41
0
)
89 (
32
1)
(
36
7)
(
119
)
(
48
6
)
Ins
tal
inc
nt
me
om
e
13
8
7 5
14
159 35 194 17
1
35 20
6
Ot
he
r in
co
me
10
0
(
23
)
77 179 (
72
)
10
7
15
1
(
67
)
84
To
tal
inc
om
e
3,
80
7
17
7
3,
98
4
4,
23
9
75
4
4,
99
3
4,
30
9
63
3
4,
94
2
Ne
laim
t c
s
(
2,
77
2)
(
19
5
)
(
2,
96
7)
(
3,
93
2)
(
73
7)
(
4,
66
9
)
(
3,
60
6
)
(
58
8
)
(
4,
194
)
Un
de
ritin
fit/
(
los
)
rw
g
pro
s
1,
03
5
(
18
)
1,
01
7
30
7
17 32
4
70
3
45 74
8
Sta
ff e
xp
en
se
s
(
28
8
)
(
2)
(
29
0
)
(
7)
28
(
2)
(
)
28
9
(
4)
30
(
)
9
(
)
31
3
Ot
he
r e
xp
en
se
s
(
33
3
)
(
16
)
(
34
9
)
(
32
5
)
(
47
)
(
37
2)
(
36
8
)
(
60
)
(
42
8
)
To
tal
dir
ect
ex
pe
nse
s
(
62
1)
(
18
)
(
63
9
)
(
61
2)
(
49
)
(
66
1)
(
67
2)
(
69
)
(
74
1)
Ind
ire
ct
ex
pe
nse
s
(
)
22
5
(
)
46
(
1)
27
(
26
7)
(
46
)
(
31
3
)
(
27
0
)
(
58
)
(
32
8
)
To
tal
ex
pe
nse
s
(
)
84
6
(
)
64
(
)
91
0
(
)
87
9
(
)
95
(
4)
97
(
2)
94
(
)
127
(
)
1,
06
9
Te
ch
nic
al
ult
res
18
9
(
82
)
10
7
(
57
2)
(
78
)
(
65
0
)
(
23
9
)
(
82
)
(
32
1)
Inv
imp
air
est
nt
nts
me
me
- (
2)
(
2)
- - - (
)
8
- (
)
8
Inv
inc
est
nt
me
om
e
26
5
37 30
2
27
7
32 30
9
30
5
40 34
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)
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16

Appendix 2 Businesses outlined for disposal (continued)

R
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Notes:

(1) Total assets of DLVAG at 31 December 2011 were £320 million (2010 - £322 million; 2009 - £337 million) and total equity was £103 million (2010 - £103 million; 2009 - £108 million).

(2) Total reinsurance receivables at 31 December 2011 were £41 million (2010 - £41 million; 2009 - £42 million).

(3) Insurance liabilities include unearned premium reserves.

(4) Non-Core equity includes £259 million at 31 December 2011 which was a non-controlling interest (2010 - £259 million; 2009 - £259 million). Equity excludes goodwill of £0.7 billion which is attributed to RBS Insurance division by RBS Group.

Appendix 3

Additional risk management disclosures

Appendix 3 Additional risk management disclosures

Loans and advances to customers by sector and geography

The following tables analyse loans and advances to customers (excluding reverse repos and assets of disposal groups) by sector and geography (by location of office). Refer to Risk management: Credit risk for the Group summary. All assets, including loans, of businesses held for disposal are included as one line on the balance sheet, as required by IFRS.

31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
UK
Central and local government 8,012 25 8,037 7,680 83 7,763 5,728 173 5,901
Finance 30,874 2,361 33,235 29,754 3,795 33,549 27,995 6,023 34,018
Residential mortgages 99,303 1,423 100,726 104,040 1,497 105,537 99,928 1,665 101,593
Personal lending 20,080 127 20,207 21,930 295 22,225 23,035 585 23,620
Property 31,141 24,610 55,751 36,106 25,953 62,059 34,970 30,492 65,462
Construction 5,291 1,882 7,173 6,203 2,245 8,448 7,041 2,310 9,351
Manufacturing 9,641 835 10,476 11,123 867 11,990 12,300 1,510 13,810
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 11,071 1,441 12,512 12,325 1,553 13,878 12,554 1,853 14,407
- transport and storage 8,589 3,439 12,028 8,835 3,664 12,499 8,105 5,015 13,120
- health, education and
recreation 8,734 757 9,491 11,894 742 12,636 13,502 1,039 14,541
- hotels and restaurants 5,599 569 6,168 6,264 684 6,948 6,558 808 7,366
- utilities 2,462 922 3,384 3,788 715 4,503 3,101 1,035 4,136
- other 13,963 1,644 15,607 13,952 2,154 16,106 14,445 1,991 16,436
Agriculture, forestry and
fishing 2,660 76 2,736 2,963 73 3,036 2,872 67 2,939
Finance leases and
instalment credit 5,618 5,598 11,216 5,524 6,925 12,449 5,589 7,785 13,374
Interest accruals 375 - 375 352 1 353 415 98 513
263,413 45,709 309,122 282,733 51,246 333,979 278,138 62,449 340,587
Europe
Central and local government 116 715 831 209 805 1,014 365 1,017 1,382
Finance 2,534 474 3,008 2,654 644 3,298 2,642 1,019 3,661
Residential mortgages 18,393 553 18,946 19,109 590 19,699 19,473 621 20,094
Personal lending 1,972 492 2,464 2,126 526 2,652 2,270 600 2,870
Property 4,846 11,538 16,384 5,359 12,255 17,614 5,139 12,636 17,775
Construction 1,019 735 1,754 1,279 754 2,033 1,014 873 1,887
Manufacturing 4,383 3,732 8,115 4,807 3,872 8,679 5,853 4,181 10,034
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 3,992 772 4,764 3,559 721 4,280 4,126 999 5,125
- transport and storage 5,667 862 6,529 5,281 1,093 6,374 5,625 1,369 6,994
- health, education and
recreation 1,235 349 1,584 1,334 339 1,673 1,442 496 1,938
- hotels and restaurants 892 535 1,427 1,029 560 1,589 1,055 535 1,590
- utilities 1,569 530 2,099 1,852 598 2,450 1,412 623 2,035
- other 2,966 1,555 4,521 3,554 1,634 5,188 3,877 2,050 5,927
Agriculture, forestry and
fishing 699 53 752 760 62 822 849 68 917
Finance leases and
instalment credit 260 435 695 259 515 774 370 744 1,114
Interest accruals 101 71 172 105 98 203 143 101 244
50,644 23,401 74,045 53,276 25,066 78,342 55,655 27,932 83,587
31 December 2011 30 September 2011 31 December 2010
Non Non Non
Core Core Total Core Core Total Core Core Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
US
Central and local government 177 14 191 164 15 179 263 53 316
Finance 8,993 341 9,334 10,035 368 10,403 9,522 587 10,109
Residential mortgages 20,311 2,926 23,237 20,285 3,040 23,325 20,548 3,653 24,201
Personal lending 7,505 936 8,441 6,543 1,986 8,529 6,816 2,704 9,520
Property 2,413 1,370 3,783 2,338 1,549 3,887 1,611 3,318 4,929
Construction 412 45 457 443 54 497 442 78 520
Manufacturing 6,782 42 6,824 6,545 54 6,599 5,459 143 5,602
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 4,975 98 5,073 4,851 109 4,960 4,264 237 4,501
- transport and storage 1,832 937 2,769 1,699 985 2,684 1,786 1,408 3,194
- health, education and
recreation 2,946 88 3,034 2,572 94 2,666 2,380 313 2,693
- hotels and restaurants 627 57 684 532 62 594 486 136 622
- utilities 1,033 28 1,061 952 27 979 1,117 53 1,170
- other 4,927 394 5,321 4,447 423 4,870 4,042 577 4,619
Agriculture, forestry and
fishing 27 - 27 24 - 24 31 - 31
Finance leases and
instalment credit 2,471 - 2,471 2,531 - 2,531 2,315 - 2,315
Interest accruals 181 45 226 172 53 225 183 73 256
65,612 7,321 72,933 64,133 8,819 72,952 61,265 13,333 74,598
RoW
Central and local government 54 629 683 44 604 648 425 428 853
Finance 4,051 53 4,104 5,651 77 5,728 6,751 22 6,773
Residential mortgages 502 200 702 507 192 699 410 203 613
Personal lending 1,510 1 1,511 1,553 3 1,556 1,460 2 1,462
Property 304 546 850 269 871 1,140 735 1,205 1,940
Construction 59 10 69 67 9 76 183 91 274
Manufacturing 2,395 322 2,717 2,341 440 2,781 2,185 686 2,871
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 1,276 28 1,304 1,472 44 1,516 1,030 102 1,132
- transport and storage 366 239 605 421 267 688 430 403 833
- health, education and
recreation 358 225 583 424 340 764 132 17 149
- hotels and restaurants 25 - 25 16 52 68 90 13 103
- utilities 1,479 369 1,848 1,620 385 2,005 1,468 399 1,867
- other 2,372 179 2,551 2,791 268 3,059 2,100 912 3,012
Agriculture, forestry and
fishing 85 - 85 20 - 20 6 - 6
Finance leases and
instalment credit 91 26 117 90 27 117 47 - 47
Interest accruals 18 - 18 32 - 32 90 6 96
14,945 2,827 17,772 17,318 3,579 20,897 17,542 4,489 22,031

Loans and advances to customers by sector and geography (continued)

Loans, REIL and impairments by sector and geography

The following tables analyse loans and advances to banks and customers (excluding reverse repos and assets of disposal groups) and related REIL, provisions, impairments and write-offs by sector and geography (by location of office) for the Group, Core and Non-Core. Loans, REIL and provisions exclude amounts relating to businesses held for disposal, consistent with the balance sheet presentation required by IFRS.

REIL Provisions
as a % Provisions as a % FY FY
Gross of gross as a % of gross Impairment Amounts
31 December 2011 loans
£m
REIL
£m
Provisions
£m
loans
%
of REIL
%
loans
%
charge
£m
written-off
£m
Group
Central and local government 9,742 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 43,993 137 123 0.3 90 0.3 - -
- other 49,681 1,049 719 2.1 69 1.4 89 87
Residential mortgages 143,611 5,084 1,362 3.5 27 0.9 1,076 516
Personal lending 32,623 2,737 2,172 8.4 79 6.7 782 1,286
Property 76,768 21,655 8,862 28.2 41 11.5 3,670 1,171
Construction 9,453 1,762 703 18.6 40 7.4 139 244
Manufacturing 28,132 881 504 3.1 57 1.8 227 215
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 23,653 1,007 516 4.3 51 2.2 180 172
- transport and storage 21,931 589 146 2.7 25 0.7 78 43
- health, education and
recreation 14,692 1,077 458 7.3 43 3.1 304 98
- hotels and restaurants 8,304 1,437 643 17.3 45 7.7 334 131
- utilities 8,392 88 23 1.0 26 0.3 3 3
- other 28,000 2,403 1,095 8.6 46 3.9 799 373
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,600 145 63 4.0 43 1.8 (7) 18
Finance leases and instalment
credit 14,499 794 508 5.5 64 3.5 112 170
Interest accruals 791 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 1,986 - - - (545) -
517,865 40,845 19,883 7.9 49 3.8 7,241 4,527
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 100,726 2,076 397 2.1 19 0.4 180 25
- personal lending 20,207 2,384 1,925 11.8 81 9.5 645 1,007
- property 55,751 7,880 2,859 14.1 36 5.1 1,413 490
- other 162,220 4,934 3,040 3.0 62 1.9 699 886
Europe
- residential mortgages 18,946 2,205 713 11.6 32 3.8 467 10
- personal lending 2,464 209 180 8.5 86 7.3 25 126
- property 16,384 13,073 5,751 79.8 44 35.1 2,296 508
- other 44,862 5,193 3,206 11.6 62 7.1 1,205 289
US
- residential mortgages 23,237 770 240 3.3 31 1.0 426 481
- personal lending 8,441 143 66 1.7 46 0.8 112 153
- property 3,783 329 92 8.7 28 2.4 (2) 138
- other 38,158 656 913 1.7 139 2.4 (166) 197
RoW
- residential mortgages 702 33 12 4.7 36 1.7 3 -
- personal lending 1,511 1 1 0.1 100 0.1 - -
- property 850 373 160 43.9 43 18.8 (37) 35
- other 19,623 586 328 3.0 56 1.7 (25) 182
517,865 40,845 19,883 7.9 49 3.8 7,241 4,527
REIL Provisions
as a % Provisions as a % YTD YTD
Gross of gross as a % of gross Impairment Amounts
loans REIL Provisions loans of REIL loans charge written-off
30 September 2011 £m £m £m % % % £m £m
Group
Central and local government 9,604 76 - 0.8 - - - -
Finance - banks 52,727 149 126 0.3 85 0.2 - -
- other 52,978 979 670 1.8 68 1.3 4 62
Residential mortgages 149,260 5,313 1,420 3.6 27 1.0 949 392
Personal lending 34,962 3,256 2,622 9.3 81 7.5 535 806
Property 84,700 22,354 8,831 26.4 40 10.4 2,936 731
Construction 11,054 1,753 740 15.9 42 6.7 32 168
Manufacturing 30,049 1,106 489 3.7 44 1.6 105 158
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 24,634 1,094 555 4.4 51 2.3 135 93
- transport and storage 22,245 544 141 2.4 26 0.6 53 35
- health, education and
recreation 17,739 1,197 401 6.7 34 2.3 176 72
- hotels and restaurants 9,199 1,574 701 17.1 45 7.6 266 54
- utilities 9,937 80 22 0.8 28 0.2 1 2
- other 29,223 2,239 1,162 7.7 52 4.0 690 311
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,902 151 59 3.9 39 1.5 (21) 11
Finance leases and instalment
credit 15,871 861 517 5.4 60 3.3 81 125
Interest accruals 813 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 2,267 - - - (355) -
558,897 42,726 20,723 7.6 49 3.7 5,587 3,020
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 105,537 2,292 424 2.2 18 0.4 152 14
- personal lending 22,225 2,913 2,368 13.1 81 10.7 510 666
- property 62,059 8,373 2,799 13.5 33 4.5 1,063 421
- other 177,452 5,343 3,387 3.0 63 1.9 436 650
Europe
- residential mortgages 19,699 2,248 722 11.4 32 3.7 445 7
- personal lending 2,652 210 178 7.9 85 6.7 (68) 20
- property 17,614 13,165 5,753 74.7 44 32.7 1,809 189
- other 51,977 5,188 3,146 10.0 61 6.1 938 195
US
- residential mortgages 23,325 749 265 3.2 35 1.1 352 371
- personal lending 8,529 131 75 1.5 57 0.9 93 116
- property 3,887 377 119 9.7 32 3.1 (10) 87
- other 38,275 633 946 1.7 149 2.5 (175) 111
RoW
- residential mortgages 699 24 9 3.4 38 1.3 - -
- personal lending 1,556 2 1 0.1 50 0.1 - 4
- property 1,140 439 160 38.5 36 14.0 74 34
- other 22,271 639 371 2.9 58 1.7 (32) 135
558,897 42,726 20,723 7.6 49 3.7 5,587 3,020
31 December 2010 Gross
loans
£m
REIL
£m
Provisions
£m
REIL
as a %
of gross
loans
%
Provisions
as a %
of REIL
%
Provisions
as a %
of gross
loans
%
FY
Impairment
charge
£m
FY
Amounts
written-off
£m
Group
Central and local government 8,452 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 58,036 145 127 0.2 88 0.2 (13) 12
- other 54,561 1,129 595 2.1 53 1.1 198 141
Residential mortgages 146,501 4,276 877 2.9 21 0.6 1,014 669
Personal lending 37,472 3,544 2,894 9.5 82 7.7 1,370 1,577
Property 90,106 19,584 6,736 21.7 34 7.5 4,682 1,009
Construction 12,032 2,464 875 20.5 36 7.3 530 146
Manufacturing 32,317 1,199 503 3.7 42 1.6 (92) 1,547
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 25,165 1,157 572 4.6 49 2.3 334 161
- transport and storage 24,141 248 118 1.0 48 0.5 87 39
- health, education and
recreation 19,321 1,055 319 5.5 30 1.7 159 199
- hotels and restaurants 9,681 1,269 504 13.1 40 5.2 321 106
- utilities 9,208 91 23 1.0 25 0.2 14 7
- other 29,994 1,438 749 4.8 52 2.5 378 310
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,893 152 86 3.9 57 2.2 31 6
Finance leases and instalment
credit 16,850 847 554 5.0 65 3.3 252 113
Interest accruals 1,109 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 2,650 - - - (121) -
578,839 38,598 18,182 6.7 47 3.1 9,144 6,042
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 101,593 2,062 314 2.0 15 0.3 169 17
- personal lending 23,620 3,083 2,518 13.1 82 10.7 1,046 1,153
- property 65,462 7,986 2,219 12.2 28 3.4 1,546 397
- other 191,934 5,652 3,580 2.9 63 1.9 1,197 704
Europe
- residential mortgages
- personal lending
20,094
2,870
1,551
401
301
316
7.7
14.0
19
79
1.5
11.0
221
66
6
24
- property 17,775 10,534 4,199 59.3 40 23.6 2,828 210
- other 53,380 3,950 2,454 7.4 62 4.6 763 1,423
US
- residential mortgages 24,201 640 253 2.6 40 1.0 615 645
- personal lending 9,520 55 55 0.6 100 0.6 160 271
- property 4,929 765 202 15.5 26 4.1 321 220
- other 36,780 870 1,133 2.4 130 3.1 (76) 524
RoW
- residential mortgages 613 23 9 3.8 39 1.5 9 1
- personal lending 1,462 5 5 0.3 100 0.3 98 129
- property 1,940 299 116 15.4 39 6.0 (13) 182
- other 22,666 722 508 3.2 70 2.2 194 136
578,839 38,598 18,182 6.7 47 3.1 9,144 6,042
REIL Provisions
as a % Provisions as a % FY FY
Gross of gross as a % of gross Impairment Amounts
loans REIL Provisions loans of REIL loans charge written-off
31 December 2011 £m £m £m % % % £m £m
Core
Central and local government 8,359 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 43,374 136 122 0.3 90 0.3 - -
- other 46,452 732 572 1.6 78 1.2 207 44
Residential mortgages 138,509 4,704 1,182 3.4 25 0.9 776 198
Personal lending 31,067 2,627 2,080 8.5 79 6.7 715 935
Property 38,704 3,686 1,001 9.5 27 2.6 470 167
Construction 6,781 660 228 9.7 35 3.4 178 143
Manufacturing 23,201 458 221 2.0 48 1.0 106 125
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 21,314 619 312 2.9 50 1.5 208 119
- transport and storage 16,454 325 52 2.0 16 0.3 47 29
- health, education and
recreation 13,273 576 213 4.3 37 1.6 170 55
- hotels and restaurants 7,143 952 354 13.3 37 5.0 209 60
- utilities 6,543 22 1 0.3 5 - - -
- other 24,228 1,095 591 4.5 54 2.4 553 189
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,471 98 36 2.8 37 1.0 (15) 5
Finance leases and instalment
credit 8,440 172 110 2.0 64 1.3 31 68
Interest accruals 675 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 1,339 - - - (252) -
437,988 16,862 8,414 3.8 50 1.9 3,403 2,137
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 99,303 2,024 386 2.0 19 0.4 174 24
- personal lending 20,080 2,347 1,895 11.7 81 9.4 657 828
- property 31,141 2,475 568 7.9 23 1.8 379 113
- other 142,464 2,636 1,536 1.9 58 1.1 525 537
Europe
- residential mortgages 18,393 2,121 664 11.5 31 3.6 437 10
- personal lending 1,972 143 125 7.3 87 6.3 (8) 22
- property 4,846 1,038 367 21.4 35 7.6 162 11
- other 33,794 2,552 1,891 7.6 74 5.6 928 182
US
- residential mortgages 20,311 526 120 2.6 23 0.6 162 164
- personal lending 7,505 136 59 1.8 43 0.8 66 85
- property 2,413 111 24 4.6 22 1.0 16 43
- other 36,054 443 584 1.2 132 1.6 26 101
RoW
- residential mortgages 502 33 12 6.6 36 2.4 3 -
- personal lending 1,510 1 1 0.1 100 0.1 - -
- property 304 62 42 20.4 68 13.8 (87) -
- other 17,396 214 140 1.2 65 0.8 (37) 17
437,988 16,862 8,414 3.8 50 1.9 3,403 2,137
REIL Provisions
as a % Provisions as a % YTD YTD
Gross of gross as a % of gross Impairment Amounts
loans REIL Provisions loans of REIL loans charge written-off
30 September 2011 £m £m £m % % % £m £m
Core
Central and local government 8,097 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 52,018 138 125 0.3 91 0.2 - -
- other 48,094 715 518 1.5 72 1.1 130 22
Residential mortgages 143,941 4,835 1,139 3.4 24 0.8 641 169
Personal lending 32,152 2,957 2,359 9.2 80 7.3 514 718
Property 44,072 4,314 1,035 9.8 24 2.3 293 122
Construction 7,992 741 259 9.3 35 3.2 136 122
Manufacturing 24,816 447 238 1.8 53 1.0 48 89
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 22,207 685 328 3.1 48 1.5 126 68
- transport and storage 16,236 277 49 1.7 18 0.3 29 23
- health, education and
recreation 16,224 633 188 3.9 30 1.2 89 39
- hotels and restaurants 7,841 982 359 12.5 37 4.6 150 29
- utilities 8,212 18 1 0.2 6 - (1) -
- other 24,744 1,126 614 4.6 55 2.5 490 154
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3,767 93 31 2.5 33 0.8 (22) 4
Finance leases and instalment
credit 8,404 184 114 2.2 62 1.4 21 52
Interest accruals 661 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 1,516 - - - (165) -
469,478 18,145 8,873 3.9 49 1.9 2,479 1,611
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 104,040 2,236 413 2.1 18 0.4 146 13
- personal lending 21,930 2,716 2,185 12.4 80 10.0 498 658
- property 36,106 2,950 636 8.2 22 1.8 167 81
- other 153,683 2,968 1,811 1.9 61 1.2 379 421
Europe
- residential mortgages 19,109 2,074 588 10.9 28 3.1 331 3
- personal lending 2,126 143 124 6.7 87 5.8 (15) 14
- property 5,359 1,193 320 22.3 27 6.0 89 1
- other 40,020 2,566 1,783 6.4 69 4.5 714 126
US
- residential mortgages 20,285 502 129 2.5 26 0.6 164 153
- personal lending 6,543 96 49 1.5 51 0.7 31 42
- property 2,338 108 30 4.6 28 1.3 13 30
- other 36,016 329 583 0.9 177 1.6 (20) 52
RoW
- residential mortgages 507 23 9 4.5 39 1.8 - -
- personal lending 1,553 2 1 0.1 50 0.1 - 4
- property 269 63 49 23.4 78 18.2 24 10
- other 19,594 176 163 0.9 93 0.8 (42) 3
469,478 18,145 8,873 3.9 49 1.9 2,479 1,611
31 December 2010 Gross
loans
£m
REIL
£m
Provisions
£m
REIL
as a %
of gross
loans
%
Provisions
as a %
of REIL
%
Provisions
as a %
of gross
loans
%
FY
Impairment
charge
£m
FY
Amounts
written-off
£m
Core
Central and local government 6,781 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 57,033 144 126 0.3 88 0.2 (5) 1
- other 46,910 567 402 1.2 71 0.9 191 53
Residential mortgages 140,359 3,999 693 2.8 17 0.5 578 243
Personal lending 33,581 3,131 2,545 9.3 81 7.6 1,157 1,271
Property 42,455 3,287 818 7.7 25 1.9 739 98
Construction 8,680 610 222 7.0 36 2.6 189 38
Manufacturing 25,797 555 266 2.2 48 1.0 119 124
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 21,974 611 259 2.8 42 1.2 199 103
- transport and storage 15,946 112 40 0.7 36 0.3 40 35
- health, education and
recreation 17,456 507 134 2.9 26 0.8 145 64
- hotels and restaurants 8,189 741 236 9.0 32 2.9 165 49
- utilities 7,098 22 3 0.3 14 - 1 -
- other 24,464 583 276 2.4 47 1.1 137 98
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Finance leases and instalment
3,758 94 57 2.5 61 1.5 24 5
credit 8,321 244 140 2.9 57 1.7 63 42
Interest accruals 831 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 1,649 - - - (5) -
469,633 15,207 7,866 3.2 52 1.7 3,737 2,224
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 99,928 2,010 307 2.0 15 0.3 164 16
- personal lending 23,035 2,888 2,341 12.5 81 10.2 1,033 1,142
- property 34,970 2,454 500 7.0 20 1.4 394 43
- other 161,746 2,657 1,743 1.6 66 1.1 689 318
Europe
- residential mortgages 19,473 1,506 280 7.7 19 1.4 184 6
- personal lending 2,270 203 164 8.9 81 7.2 43 19
- property 5,139 631 240 12.3 38 4.7 241 1
- other 38,992 1,565 1,343 4.0 86 3.4 468 85
US
- residential mortgages 20,548 460 97 2.2 21 0.5 225 221
- personal lending 6,816 35 35 0.5 100 0.5 81 110
- property 1,611 144 43 8.9 30 2.7 84 54
- other 33,110 388 649 1.2 167 2.0 35 171
RoW
- residential mortgages 410 23 9 5.6 39 2.2 5 -
- personal lending 1,460 5 5 0.3 100 0.3 - -
- property 735 58 35 7.9 60 4.8 20 -
- other 19,390 180 75 0.9 42 0.4 71 38
469,633 15,207 7,866 3.2 52 1.7 3,737 2,224
REIL Provisions
as a % Provisions as a % FY FY
Gross of gross as a % of gross Impairment Amounts
loans REIL Provisions loans of REIL loans charge written-off
31 December 2011 £m £m £m % % % £m £m
Non-Core
Central and local government 1,383 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 619 1 1 0.2 100 0.2 - -
- other 3,229 317 147 9.8 46 4.6 (118) 43
Residential mortgages 5,102 380 180 7.4 47 3.5 300 318
Personal lending 1,556 110 92 7.1 84 5.9 67 351
Property 38,064 17,969 7,861 47.2 44 20.7 3,200 1,004
Construction 2,672 1,102 475 41.2 43 17.8 (39) 101
Manufacturing 4,931 423 283 8.6 67 5.7 121 90
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 2,339 388 204 16.6 53 8.7 (28) 53
- transport and storage 5,477 264 94 4.8 36 1.7 31 14
- health, education and
recreation 1,419 501 245 35.3 49 17.3 134 43
- hotels and restaurants 1,161 485 289 41.8 60 24.9 125 71
- utilities 1,849 66 22 3.6 33 1.2 3 3
- other 3,772 1,308 504 34.7 39 13.4 246 184
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 129 47 27 36.4 57 20.9 8 13
Finance leases and instalment
credit 6,059 622 398 10.3 64 6.6 81 102
Interest accruals 116 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 647 - - - (293) -
79,877 23,983 11,469 30.0 48 14.4 3,838 2,390
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 1,423 52 11 3.7 21 0.8 6 1
- personal lending 127 37 30 29.1 81 23.6 (12) 179
- property 24,610 5,405 2,291 22.0 42 9.3 1,034 377
- other 19,756 2,298 1,504 11.6 65 7.6 174 349
Europe
- residential mortgages 553 84 49 15.2 58 8.9 30 -
- personal lending 492 66 55 13.4 83 11.2 33 104
- property 11,538 12,035 5,384 104.3 45 46.7 2,134 497
- other 11,068 2,641 1,315 23.9 50 11.9 277 107
US
- residential mortgages 2,926 244 120 8.3 49 4.1 264 317
- personal lending 936 7 7 0.7 100 0.7 46 68
- property 1,370 218 68 15.9 31 5.0 (18) 95
- other 2,104 213 329 10.1 154 15.6 (192) 96
RoW
- residential mortgages 200 - - - - - - -
- personal lending 1 - - - - - - -
- property 546 311 118 57.0 38 21.6 50 35
- other 2,227 372 188 16.7 51 8.4 12 165
79,877 23,983 11,469 30.0 48 14.4 3,838 2,390
30 September 2011 Gross
loans
£m
REIL
£m
Provisions
£m
REIL
as a %
of gross
loans
%
Provisions
as a %
of REIL
%
Provisions
as a %
of gross
loans
%
YTD
Impairment
charge
£m
YTD
Amounts
written-off
£m
Non-Core
Central and local government 1,507 76 - 5.0 - - - -
Finance - banks 709 11 1 1.6 9 0.1 - -
- other 4,884 264 152 5.4 58 3.1 (126) 40
Residential mortgages 5,319 478 281 9.0 59 5.3 308 223
Personal lending 2,810 299 263 10.6 88 9.4 21 88
Property 40,628 18,040 7,796 44.4 43 19.2 2,643 609
Construction 3,062 1,012 481 33.1 48 15.7 (104) 46
Manufacturing 5,233 659 251 12.6 38 4.8 57 69
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 2,427 409 227 16.9 56 9.4 9 25
- transport and storage 6,009 267 92 4.4 34 1.5 24 12
- health, education and
recreation 1,515 564 213 37.2 38 14.1 87 33
- hotels and restaurants 1,358 592 342 43.6 58 25.2 116 25
- utilities 1,725 62 21 3.6 34 1.2 2 2
- other 4,479 1,113 548 24.8 49 12.2 200 157
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 135 58 28 43.0 48 20.7 1 7
Finance leases and instalment
credit 7,467 677 403 9.1 60 5.4 60 73
Interest accruals 152 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 751 - - - (190) -
89,419 24,581 11,850 27.5 48 13.3 3,108 1,409
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 1,497 56 11 3.7 20 0.7 6 1
- personal lending 295 197 183 66.8 93 62.0 12 8
- property 25,953 5,423 2,163 20.9 40 8.3 896 340
- other 23,769 2,375 1,576 10.0 66 6.6 57 229
Europe
- residential mortgages 590 174 134 29.5 77 22.7 114 4
- personal lending 526 67 54 12.7 81 10.3 (53) 6
- property 12,255 11,972 5,433 97.7 45 44.3 1,720 188
- other 11,957 2,622 1,363 21.9 52 11.4 224 69
US
- residential mortgages 3,040 247 136 8.1 55 4.5 188 218
- personal lending 1,986 35 26 1.8 74 1.3 62 74
- property 1,549 269 89 17.4 33 5.7 (23) 57
- other 2,259 304 363 13.5 119 16.1 (155) 59
RoW
- residential mortgages 192 1 - 0.5 - - - -
- personal lending 3 - - - - - - -
- property 871 376 111 43.2 30 12.7 50 24
- other 2,677 463 208 17.3 45 7.8 10 132
89,419 24,581 11,850 27.5 48 13.3 3,108 1,409
31 December 2010 Gross
loans
£m
REIL
£m
Provisions
£m
REIL
as a %
of gross
loans
%
Provisions
as a %
of REIL
%
Provisions
as a %
of gross
loans
%
FY
Impairment
charge
£m
FY
Amounts
written-off
£m
Non-Core
Central and local government 1,671 - - - - - - -
Finance - banks 1,003 1 1 0.1 100 0.1 (8) 11
- other 7,651 562 193 7.3 34 2.5 7 88
Residential mortgages 6,142 277 184 4.5 66 3.0 436 426
Personal lending 3,891 413 349 10.6 85 9.0 213 306
Property 47,651 16,297 5,918 34.2 36 12.4 3,943 911
Construction 3,352 1,854 653 55.3 35 19.5 341 108
Manufacturing 6,520 644 237 9.9 37 3.6 (211) 1,423
Service industries and
business activities
- retail, wholesale and repairs 3,191 546 313 17.1 57 9.8 135 58
- transport and storage 8,195 136 78 1.7 57 1.0 47 4
- health, education and
recreation 1,865 548 185 29.4 34 9.9 14 135
- hotels and restaurants 1,492 528 268 35.4 51 18.0 156 57
- utilities 2,110 69 20 3.3 29 0.9 13 7
- other 5,530 855 473 15.5 55 8.6 241 212
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 135 58 29 43.0 50 21.5 7 1
Finance leases and instalment
credit 8,529 603 414 7.1 69 4.9 189 71
Interest accruals 278 - - - - - - -
Latent - - 1,001 - - - (116) -
109,206 23,391 10,316 21.4 44 9.4 5,407 3,818
of which:
UK
- residential mortgages 1,665 52 7 3.1 13 0.4 5 1
- personal lending 585 195 177 33.3 91 30.3 13 11
- property 30,492 5,532 1,719 18.1 31 5.6 1,152 354
- other 30,188 2,995 1,837 9.9 61 6.1 508 386
Europe
- residential mortgages 621 45 21 7.2 47 3.4 37 -
- personal lending 600 198 152 33.0 77 25.3 23 5
- property 12,636 9,903 3,959 78.4 40 31.3 2,587 209
- other 14,388 2,385 1,111 16.6 47 7.7 295 1,338
US
- residential mortgages 3,653 180 156 4.9 87 4.3 390 424
- personal lending 2,704 20 20 0.7 100 0.7 79 161
- property 3,318 621 159 18.7 26 4.8 237 166
- other 3,670 482 484 13.1 100 13.2 (111) 353
RoW
- residential mortgages 203 - - - - - 4 1
- personal lending 2 - - - - - 98 129
- property 1,205 241 81 20.0 34 6.7 (33) 182
- other 3,276 542 433 16.5 80 13.2 123 98
109,206 23,391 10,316 21.4 44 9.4 5,407 3,818

ABS by geography and measurement classification

FVTPL (1)
Other
US UK Europe RoW Total HFT (2) DFV (3) AFS (4) LAR (5)
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross exposure
MBS: covered bond 133 203 8,256 - 8,592 - - 8,592 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 27,549 - 5,884 2 33,435 15,031 - 18,404 -
RMBS: prime 1,201 3,487 1,541 484 6,713 1,090 567 4,977 79
RMBS: non-conforming 1,220 2,197 74 - 3,491 717 - 1,402 1,372
RMBS: sub-prime 1,847 427 94 2 2,370 2,183 - 22 165
CMBS 1,623 1,562 883 1 4,069 2,001 - 862 1,206
CDOs 7,889 72 469 - 8,430 4,455 - 3,885 90
CLOs 5,019 156 1,055 - 6,230 1,294 - 4,734 202
ABS covered bond 21 71 948 4 1,044 - - 1,044 -
Other ABS 2,085 1,844 1,746 992 6,667 1,965 17 2,389 2,296
48,587 10,019 20,950 1,485 81,041 28,736 584 46,311 5,410
Carrying value
MBS: covered bond 136 209 7,175 - 7,520 - - 7,520 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 28,022 - 5,549 2 33,573 15,132 - 18,441 -
RMBS: prime 1,035 3,038 1,206 466 5,745 872 558 4,243 72
RMBS: non-conforming 708 1,897 74 - 2,679 327 - 980 1,372
RMBS: sub-prime 686 144 72 2 904 737 - 9 158
CMBS 1,502 1,253 635 1 3,391 1,513 - 716 1,162
CDOs 1,632 31 294 - 1,957 315 - 1,555 87
CLOs 4,524 98 719 - 5,341 882 - 4,280 179
ABS covered bond 19 70 953 4 1,046 - - 1,046 -
Other ABS 1,715 947 1,525 966 5,153 1,038 - 1,945 2,170
39,979 7,687 18,202 1,441 67,309 20,816 558 40,735 5,200
Net exposure
MBS: covered bond 136 209 7,175 - 7,520 - - 7,520 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 28,022 - 5,549 2 33,573 15,132 - 18,441 -
RMBS: prime 825 3,456 1,005 458 5,744 447 557 4,668 72
RMBS: non-conforming 677 2,225 74 - 2,976 284 - 1,320 1,372
RMBS: sub-prime 385 138 67 2 592 434 - - 158
CMBS 860 1,253 543 1 2,657 777 - 718 1,162
CDOs 1,030 31 294 - 1,355 304 - 964 87
CLOs 1,367 98 712 - 2,177 827 - 1,171 179
ABS covered bond 19 70 952 4 1,045 - - 1,045 -
Other ABS 1,456 843 1,527 804 4,630 617 - 1,941 2,071
34,777 8,323 17,898 1,271 62,269 18,822 557 37,788 5,101

For notes relating to this table refer to page 14.

ABS by geography and measurement classification (continued)

FVTPL (1)
Other
US UK Europe RoW Total HFT (2) DFV (3) AFS (4) LAR (5)
30 September 2011 £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Gross exposure
MBS: covered bond 136 206 8,468 - 8,810 - - 8,810 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 29,011 15 6,141 1 35,168 17,622 - 17,546 -
RMBS: prime 1,464 3,267 1,848 493 7,072 1,152 74 5,743 103
RMBS: non-conforming 1,197 2,198 75 - 3,470 678 - 1,416 1,376
RMBS: sub-prime 2,015 437 106 4 2,562 2,355 - 24 183
CMBS 1,937 1,748 881 30 4,596 2,295 - 949 1,352
CDOs 9,427 49 487 - 9,963 5,882 - 3,989 92
CLOs 5,314 119 772 - 6,205 1,050 - 4,893 262
ABS covered bond - - 1,466 - 1,466 - - 1,466 -
Other ABS 2,074 1,688 948 1,150 5,860 1,907 - 1,612 2,341
52,575 9,727 21,192 1,678 85,172 32,941 74 46,448 5,709
Carrying value
MBS: covered bond 139 214 7,504 - 7,857 - - 7,857 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 29,759 15 5,790 1 35,565 17,948 - 17,617 -
RMBS: prime 1,207 2,755 1,493 478 5,933 947 1 4,891 94
RMBS: non-conforming 773 1,914 75 - 2,762 366 - 1,020 1,376
RMBS: sub-prime 928 159 83 4 1,174 988 - 11 175
CMBS 1,811 1,373 621 30 3,835 1,759 - 838 1,238
CDOs 1,913 16 298 - 2,227 476 - 1,662 89
CLOs 4,787 78 500 - 5,365 647 - 4,479 239
ABS covered bond - - 1,425 - 1,425 - - 1,425 -
Other ABS 1,743 824 838 1,114 4,519 992 - 1,291 2,236
43,060 7,348 18,627 1,627 70,662 24,123 1 41,091 5,447
Net exposure
MBS: covered bond 139 214 7,504 - 7,857 - - 7,857 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 29,759 15 5,790 1 35,565 17,948 - 17,617 -
RMBS: prime 1,102 2,740 1,292 454 5,588 610 1 4,883 94
RMBS: non-conforming 739 1,903 75 - 2,717 322 - 1,019 1,376
RMBS: sub-prime 506 159 78 4 747 569 - 3 175
CMBS 950 1,373 510 30 2,863 802 - 837 1,224
CDOs 369 16 298 - 683 225 - 369 89
CLOs 1,159 78 493 - 1,730 580 - 911 239
ABS covered bond - - 1,425 - 1,425 - - 1,425 -
Other ABS 1,449 717 840 959 3,965 548 - 1,292 2,125
36,172 7,215 18,305 1,448 63,140 21,604 1 36,213 5,322

For notes relating to this table refer to page 14.

ABS by geography and measurement classification (continued)

FVTPL (1)
Other
US UK Europe RoW Total HFT (2) DFV (3) AFS (4) LAR (5)
31 December 2010
Gross exposure
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
MBS: covered bond 138 208 8,525 - 8,871 - - 8,871 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 24,207 16 6,422 - 30,645 13,840 - 16,805 -
RMBS: prime 1,784 3,385 1,118 192 6,479 1,605 1 4,749 124
RMBS: non-conforming 1,249 2,107 92 - 3,448 708 - 1,313 1,427
RMBS: sub-prime 792 365 139 221 1,517 819 - 496 202
CMBS 3,086 1,451 912 45 5,494 2,646 120 1,409 1,319
CDOs 12,156 128 453 - 12,737 7,951 - 4,687 99
CLOs 6,038 134 879 9 7,060 1,062 - 5,572 426
ABS covered bond - - 1,908 - 1,908 - - 1,908 -
Other ABS 3,104 1,144 963 1,705 6,916 1,533 - 2,615 2,768
52,554 8,938 21,411 2,172 85,075 30,164 121 48,425 6,365
Carrying value
MBS: covered bond 142 208 7,522 - 7,872 - - 7,872 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 24,390 16 5,958 - 30,364 13,765 - 16,599 -
RMBS: prime 1,624 3,000 931 192 5,747 1,384 1 4,249 113
RMBS: non-conforming 1,084 1,959 92 - 3,135 605 - 1,102 1,428
RMBS: sub-prime 638 255 120 205 1,218 681 - 344 193
CMBS 2,936 1,338 638 38 4,950 2,262 118 1,281 1,289
CDOs 3,135 69 254 - 3,458 1,341 - 2,021 96
CLOs 5,334 102 635 3 6,074 691 - 4,958 425
ABS covered bond - - 1,861 - 1,861 - - 1,861 -
Other ABS 2,780 945 754 1,667 6,146 1,259 - 2,228 2,659
42,063 7,892 18,765 2,105 70,825 21,988 119 42,515 6,203
Net exposure
MBS: covered bond 142 208 7,522 - 7,872 - - 7,872 -
RMBS: Government sponsored
or similar 24,390 16 5,958 - 30,364 13,765 - 16,599 -
RMBS: prime 1,523 2,948 596 192 5,259 897 1 4,248 113
RMBS: non-conforming 1,081 1,959 92 - 3,132 602 - 1,102 1,428
RMBS: sub-prime 289 253 112 176 830 305 - 332 193
CMBS 1,823 1,336 458 38 3,655 1,188 10 1,230 1,227
CDOs 1,085 39 245 - 1,369 743 - 530 96
CLOs 1,387 102 629 1 2,119 673 - 1,021 425
ABS covered bond - - 1,861 - 1,861 - - 1,861 -
Other ABS 2,293 748 748 1,659 5,448 690 - 2,220 2,538
34,013 7,609 18,221 2,066 61,909 18,863 11 37,015 6,020

Notes:

(1) Fair value through profit or loss.

(2) Held-for-trading.

(3) Designated as at fair value through profit or loss.

(4) Available-for-sale.

(5) Loans and receivables.

Appendix 4

Asset Protection Scheme

Appendix 4 Asset Protection Scheme

Covered assets: roll forward to 31 December 2011

The Group has paid Asset Protection Scheme (APS) premiums totalling £2,225 million (£125 million in 2011, £700 million in 2010 and £1,400 million in 2009). From 31 December 2011, premiums of £125 million are payable quarterly until the earlier of 2099 and the date the Group leaves the Scheme.

The table below shows the movement in covered assets.

Covered
amount
£bn
Covered assets at 31 December 2010 194.7
Disposals (4.1)
Maturities, amortisation and early repayments (33.2)
Effect of foreign currency movements and other adjustments (1.6)
Covered assets at 30 September 2011 155.8
Disposals (1.2)
Maturities, amortisation and early repayments (9.2)
Withdrawals (12.4)
Effect of foreign currency movements and other adjustments (1.2)
Covered assets at 31 December 2011 131.8

Key points

  • The reduction in covered assets was due to run-off of the portfolio, disposals, early repayments and maturing loans.
  • The Group continues to take advantage of market conditions and execute sales from a number of its portfolios.
  • During the last quarter of 2011, the Group withdrew £12.4 billion of covered assets with a lower than average risk profile from the APS.

Credit impairments and write-downs

The table below analyses the credit impairment provision (adjusted for write-downs) and adjustments to par value (including available-for-sale reserves) relating to covered assets.

31 December
2011
£m
30 September
2011
£m
31 December
2010
£m
Loans and advances 20,586 20,407 18,033
Debt securities 10,703 11,079 11,747
Derivatives 3,056 3,023 2,043
34,345 34,509 31,823
Core 7,626 8,061 6,646
Non-Core 26,719 26,448 25,177
34,345 34,509 31,823
  • The increase in Non-Core impairments of £1.5 billion accounted for the majority of the increase in credit impairments and write-downs in 2011.
  • The increase in Core is largely accounted for by impairments offset by asset withdrawals.

Appendix 4 Asset Protection Scheme (continued)

First loss utilisation

The table below shows the first loss utilisation under the original and modified rules.

Modified
Original Scheme rules Scheme rules
Cash
Gross loss
amount
recoveries
to date
Net triggered
loss
Net triggered
total
31 December 2011 £m £m £m £m
Core 8,451 (2,240) 1,567 7,778
Non-Core 17,486 (2,992) 8,158 22,652
25,937 (5,232) 9,725 30,430
Loss credits 1,802
32,232
30 September 2011
Core 8,152 (1,625) 2,004 8,531
7,949 20,446
Non-Core 14,974 (2,477)
23,126 (4,102) 9,953 28,977
Loss credits 1,792
30,769
31 December 2010
Core 6,865 (1,042) 1,559 7,382
Non-Core 13,946 (1,876) 6,923 18,993
20,811 (2,918) 8,482 26,375
Loss credits 1,241
27,616
  • The cumulative first loss is £32.2 billion. However, the Group does not expect to claim under the APS, which has a first loss of £60 billion.
  • The Group received loss credits of £0.6 billion in 2011 in relation to disposals. Cumulative loss credits at 31 December 2011 were £1.8 billion.
  • The Group continues to expect an average recovery rate of approximately 40% across all portfolios.

Appendix 4 Asset Protection Scheme (continued)

Risk-weighted assets

The table below analyses risk-weighted assets (RWAs) covered by the APS.

31 December 30 September 31 December
2011
£bn
2011
£bn
2010
£bn
Core 40.2 43.9 54.7
Non-Core 28.9 44.7 50.9
APS RWAs 69.1 88.6 105.6

Key points

2011 compared with 2010

• The decrease of £36.5 billion in RWAs covered by the APS, reflects pool movements, assets moving into default and changes in risk parameters.

Q4 2011 compared with Q3 2011

• RWA decreases in the quarter were as a result of pool movements, asset withdrawals, assets moving into default and changes in risk parameters.

Appendix 5

Divisional reorganisation

Divisional reorganisation

Organisational change

In January 2012, the Group announced changes to its wholesale banking operations in light of a changed market and regulatory environment. The changes will see the reorganisation of the Group's wholesale businesses into 'Markets' and 'International Banking' and the exit and downsizing of selected activities. The changes will ensure the wholesale businesses continue to deliver against the Group's strategy.

The changes will include an exit from cash equities, corporate brokering, equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions businesses. Significant reductions in balance sheet, funding requirements and cost base in the remaining wholesale businesses will be implemented.

Existing GBM and GTS divisions will be reorganised as follows:

  • The 'Markets' business will maintain its focus on fixed income, with strong positions in debt capital raising, securitisation, risk management, foreign exchange and rates. It will serve the corporate and institutional clients of all Group businesses.
  • GBM's corporate banking business will combine with the international businesses of our GTS arm into a new 'International Banking' unit and provide clients with a 'one-stop shop' access to the Group's debt financing, risk management and payments services. This international corporate business will be self-funded through its stable corporate deposit base.
  • The domestic small and mid-size corporates currently served within GTS will be managed within RBS's domestic corporate banking businesses in the UK, Ireland (Ulster Bank) and the US (US Retail and Commercial).

Our wholesale business will be retaining its international footprint to ensure that it can serve our customers' needs globally. We believe, that despite current challenges to the sector, wholesale banking services can play a central role in supporting cross border trade and capital flows, financing requirements and risk management and we remain committed to this business.

Going forward the Group will comprise the following segments:

  • Retail and Commercial
  • UK Retail
  • UK Corporate
  • Wealth
  • US Retail and Commercial
  • Ulster Bank
  • International Banking
  • Markets
  • RBS Insurance
  • Group Centre
  • Core
  • Non-Core

Revised allocation of Group Treasury costs

The Group is also refining the way that Group Treasury costs are allocated. It is in the process of revising prior period information to reflect these changes and further details will be published ahead of the Group's Q1 2012 Interim Management Statement.

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