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RBS reports £44m quarterly loss RBS reports £44m quarterly loss
(10 minutes later)
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced a pre-tax loss of £44m for the three months to the end of March.Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced a pre-tax loss of £44m for the three months to the end of March.
That compares with a profit of £479m for the same period a year earlier.That compares with a profit of £479m for the same period a year earlier.
The bank, which is 70%-owned by the taxpayer, also announced bad debt charges of £2.9bn for the period, and said the outlook was challenging.The bank, which is 70%-owned by the taxpayer, also announced bad debt charges of £2.9bn for the period, and said the outlook was challenging.
RBS chief executive Stephen Hester said he was confident RBS had strong franchises from which it could rebuild shareholder value.RBS chief executive Stephen Hester said he was confident RBS had strong franchises from which it could rebuild shareholder value.
Nevertheless, Mr Hester said: "Some commentators are beginning to talk about economic recovery; we remain cautious and continue to plan and manage our businesses in the full expectation that both 2009 and 2010 will be very tough years for RBS."Nevertheless, Mr Hester said: "Some commentators are beginning to talk about economic recovery; we remain cautious and continue to plan and manage our businesses in the full expectation that both 2009 and 2010 will be very tough years for RBS."
RBS shares were up 9% in early trading.
Royal Bank of Scotland's results for the first three months of the year are a Jekyll-and-Hyde tale of very good and appallingly bad Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blog See RBS's share priceRoyal Bank of Scotland's results for the first three months of the year are a Jekyll-and-Hyde tale of very good and appallingly bad Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blog See RBS's share price
RBS added that it had made "good progress" on its strategic plan to get back to "stand-alone strength".RBS added that it had made "good progress" on its strategic plan to get back to "stand-alone strength".
In April, RBS said it was going to cut a further 9,000 jobs worldwide, on top of the 2,700 job losses already announced in the UK this year.In April, RBS said it was going to cut a further 9,000 jobs worldwide, on top of the 2,700 job losses already announced in the UK this year.
Losses attributable to ordinary shareholders - or post-tax losses - amounted to £857m.Losses attributable to ordinary shareholders - or post-tax losses - amounted to £857m.
In 2008, RBS made a loss of £24.1bn - the largest annual loss in UK corporate history.In 2008, RBS made a loss of £24.1bn - the largest annual loss in UK corporate history.
'Jekyll and Hyde''Jekyll and Hyde'
Total income increased 26% to £9.7bn, compared with £7.7bn in the first three months of 2008. That was largely thanks to a strong performance in its investment banking division.Total income increased 26% to £9.7bn, compared with £7.7bn in the first three months of 2008. That was largely thanks to a strong performance in its investment banking division.
The bank also gained new customers in the first quarter. UK current accounts increased 3% to 12.5m, while savings accounts increased 15% to 9.2m.The bank also gained new customers in the first quarter. UK current accounts increased 3% to 12.5m, while savings accounts increased 15% to 9.2m.
BBC business editor Robert Peston called the results a Jekyll-and-Hyde tale of very good and appallingly bad.BBC business editor Robert Peston called the results a Jekyll-and-Hyde tale of very good and appallingly bad.
He said that the billions in extra revenue were wiped out by losses on loans and investments that have gone bad.He said that the billions in extra revenue were wiped out by losses on loans and investments that have gone bad.