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RBS 'preparing fundraising plan' RBS 'prepares fundraising plan'
(20 minutes later)
Britain's second largest bank, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), is close to unveiling a fundraising plan to repair its balance sheet, reports suggest. Britain's second largest bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, is expected to ask shareholders for up to £12bn of extra cash to improve its financial position.
It is thought RBS will try and raise up to £12bn by selling shares to existing investors through a rights issue. It is thought RBS will try to raise the funds by selling shares to existing investors through a rights issue.
RBS, which also owns NatWest, insurer Direct Line and Ulster Bank, has not commented on the reports. Because of the global credit crunch, banks worldwide are keen to shore up their capital positions - and it is thought others may follow RSB's move.
Banks worldwide are keen to shore up their capital positions, weakened by the global credit crunch. RBS, owner of NatWest, Ulster Bank and insurer Direct Line, has not commented.
RBS said it would give a trading update next week as planned.RBS said it would give a trading update next week as planned.
In the last few weeks central banks, governments and regulators have been telling banks they need to strengthen their balance sheets.In the last few weeks central banks, governments and regulators have been telling banks they need to strengthen their balance sheets.
If they do so, the Bank of England will start accepting UK mortgage-backed securities in return for government bonds - a move designed to get banks lending to each other again.If they do so, the Bank of England will start accepting UK mortgage-backed securities in return for government bonds - a move designed to get banks lending to each other again.
This is vital for mortgage lenders to reduce their rates on mortgages and revive the housing market, which is looking increasingly gloomy.This is vital for mortgage lenders to reduce their rates on mortgages and revive the housing market, which is looking increasingly gloomy.
Analysts say that while a rights issue will most likely be seen as a prudent, rather than desperate, move by RBS, it will also represent a u-turn for the bank's chief executive, Sir Fred Goodwin, who had previously insisted the bank did not need to tap shareholders for more cash.Analysts say that while a rights issue will most likely be seen as a prudent, rather than desperate, move by RBS, it will also represent a u-turn for the bank's chief executive, Sir Fred Goodwin, who had previously insisted the bank did not need to tap shareholders for more cash.