Report of Foreign Private Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

27 March 2015

 

 

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

 

 

Gogarburn

PO Box 1000

Edinburgh EH12 1HQ

Scotland

United Kingdom

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F  X                                              Form 40-F     

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):__

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):__

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes                                                                 No  X  

 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to

the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-             

 

This report on Form 6-K shall be deemed incorporated by reference into the company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-184147 and 333-184147-01) and to be a part thereof from the date which it was filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 

 

 

 

 

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’, ‘believe’, ‘should’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘could’, ‘probability’, ‘risk’, ‘Value-at-Risk (VaR)’, ‘target’, ‘goal’, ‘objective’, ‘may’, ‘endeavour’, ‘outlook’, ‘optimistic’, ‘prospects’ and similar expressions or variations on these expressions.

In particular, this document includes forward-looking statements relating, but not limited to: The Royal Bank of Scotland Group’s (RBS) transformation plan (which includes RBS’s 2013/2014 strategic plan relating to the implementation of its new divisional and functional structure and the continuation of its balance sheet reduction programme including its proposed divestments of Williams & Glyn and Citizens, RBS’s information technology and operational investment plan, the proposed restructuring of RBS’s CIB business and the restructuring of RBS as a result of the implementation of the regulatory ring-fencing regime), as well as restructuring, capital and strategic plans, divestments, capitalisation, portfolios, net interest margin, capital and leverage ratios, liquidity, risk-weighted assets (RWAs), RWA equivalents (RWAe), Pillar 2A, Maximum Distributable Amount (MDA), total loss absorbing capital (TLAC), minimum requirements for eligible liabilities (MREL), return on equity (ROE), profitability, cost:income ratios, loan:deposit ratios, funding and risk profile; litigation, government and regulatory investigations including investigations relating to the setting of interest rates and foreign exchange trading and rate setting activities; costs or exposures borne by RBS arising out of the origination or sale of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities in the US; RBS’s future financial performance; the level and extent of future impairments and write-downs; and RBS’s exposure to political risks, credit rating risk and 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, targets 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 relying on 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 adversely affect our results and the accuracy of forward-looking statements in this document include the risk factors and other uncertainties discussed in Appendix 5 to this document. These include the significant risks for RBS presented by the execution of the transformation plan; RBS’s ability to successfully implement the various initiatives that are comprised in the transformation plan, particularly the balance sheet reduction programme including the divestment of Williams & Glyn and its remaining stake in CFG, the proposed restructuring of its CIB business and the significant restructuring undertaken by RBS as a result of the implementation of the ring fence; whether RBS will emerge from implementing the transformation plan as a viable, competitive, customer-focused and profitable bank; RBS’s ability to achieve its capital targets which depend on RBS’s success in reducing the size of its business; the cost and complexity of the implementation of the ring-fence and the extent to which it will have a material adverse effect on RBS; the risk of failure to realise the benefit of RBS’s substantial investments in its information technology and operational infrastructure and systems, the significant changes, complexity and costs relating to the implementation of the transformation plan, the risks of lower revenues resulting from lower customer retention and revenue generation as RBS refocuses on the UK as well as increasing competition. In addition, there are other risks and uncertainties. These include RBS’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; uncertainties regarding the outcomes of legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations that RBS is subject to and any resulting material adverse effect on RBS of unfavourable outcomes; heightened regulatory and governmental scrutiny and the increasingly regulated environment in which RBS operates; uncertainty relating to how policies of the new government elected in the May 2015 UK election may impact RBS including a possible referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU; operational risks that are inherent in RBS’s business and that could increase as RBS implements its transformation plan; the potential negative impact on RBS’s business of actual or perceived global economic and financial market conditions and other global risks; how RBS will be increasingly impacted by UK developments as its operations become gradually more focused on the UK; uncertainties regarding RBS exposure to any weakening of economies within the EU and renewed threat of default by certain counties in the Eurozone; the risks resulting from RBS implementing the State Aid restructuring plan including with respect to the disposal of certain assets and businesses as announced or required as part of the State Aid restructuring plan; the achievement of capital and costs reduction targets; ineffective management of capital or changes to regulatory requirements relating to capital adequacy and liquidity; the ability to access sufficient sources of capital, liquidity and funding when required; deteriorations in borrower and counterparty credit quality; the extent of future write-downs and impairment charges caused by depressed asset valuations; the value and effectiveness of any credit protection purchased by RBS; the impact of unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads, bond prices, commodity prices, equity prices; basis, volatility and correlation risks; changes in the credit ratings of RBS; changes to the valuation of financial instruments recorded at fair value; competition and consolidation in the banking sector; regulatory or legal changes (including those requiring any restructuring of RBS’s operations); 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; impairments of goodwill; the high dependence of RBS’s operations on its information technology systems and its increasing exposure to cyber security threats; the reputational risks inherent in RBS’s operations; the risk that RBS may suffer losses due to employee misconduct; pension fund shortfalls; the recoverability of deferred tax assets by the Group; HM Treasury exercising influence over the operations of RBS; limitations on, or additional requirements imposed on, RBS’s activities as a result of HM Treasury’s investment in RBS; and the success of RBS 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 RBS 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.

 

 

Non-GAAP financial information

The directors manage RBS’s performance by class of business, before certain reconciling items, as is presented in the segmental analysis in Note 11 (the “non-statutory basis”). Only the following will now be reported as reconciling items: own credit adjustments, gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt, write-down of goodwill, strategic disposals and RFS Holdings minority interest. Further the results of Citizens are included in the appropriate caption on a non-statutory basis and included in discontinued operations on a statutory basis. Discussion of RBS’s performance focuses on the non-statutory basis as RBS believes that such measures allow a more meaningful analysis of RBS’s financial condition and the results of its operations. These measures are non-GAAP financial measures. A body of generally accepted accounting principles such as IFRS is commonly referred to as ‘GAAP’. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as one that measures historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows but which excludes or includes amounts that would not be so adjusted in the most comparable GAAP measure. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are presented throughout this document or in the segmental analysis in Note 11. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures. Furthermore, RBS has divided its operations into “RBS excluding RBS Capital Resolution (RCR)” for all periods in 2014 and for prior periods “RBS excluding Non-Core”. Certain measures disclosed in this document for RBS excluding RCR/Non-Core operations and used by RBS management are non-GAAP financial measures as they represent a combination of all reportable segments with the exception of RCR/Non-Core. The presentation of Personal & Business Banking (“PBB”) which includes the reportable segments of UK Personal & Business Banking and Ulster Bank and the presentation of Commercial and Private Banking (“CPB”) which includes the reportable segments of Commercial Banking and Private Banking are non GAAP financial measures. In addition the presentation of operating profit, operating expenses and other performance measures excluding the impact of restructuring costs and litigation and conduct costs is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a substitute for a GAAP measure. Lastly, the liquidity coverage ratio, stressed outflow coverage, net stable funding ratio and further metrics included in the Capital and risk management appendix represent non-GAAP financial measures given they are metrics that are not yet required to be disclosed by a government, governmental authority or self-regulatory organisation.

 

Reporting changes

On 27 February 2014, RBS announced the reorganisation of the previously reported operating divisions into seven operating segments. In addition, in order to present a more complete picture of funding, operational and business costs of the operating segments, certain reporting changes were implemented. 

 

For further information on these changes refer Note  11 on page 92.

 

Recent developments

Sale of a North American loan portfolio to Mizuho

On 26 February 2015, RBS announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. ("Mizuho"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mizuho Financial Group, for the sale of a portfolio of US and Canadian loan commitments. As part of the transaction, the parties also continue to explore the transfer of certain associated derivatives, and the transition from RBS to Mizuho of certain coverage banking, debt capital markets, syndicate, and associated capabilities related to these commitments.

 

The transaction is aligned with the strategic direction RBS has announced for its Corporate & Institutional Banking business, which will focus mainly on UK and Western European customers, built on existing product and service strengths. RBS will remain engaged in the US, serving a select group of North American clients with strong links into the UK.

 

The portfolio sold to Mizuho comprises $36.5 billion of loan commitments, including $3.2 billion of drawn assets, as of 31 December 2014. The risk-weighted assets associated with the portfolio business were approximately $8 billion as of 31 December 2014, and it generated profit after tax of $0.1 billion in the year ended on that date. The cash consideration on that basis would be approximately $3.0 billion, generating a loss on disposal of $0.2 billion. Actual cash consideration and loss will depend upon settlement date portfolio balances. Sale proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

The transaction is expected to complete before the end of Q2 2015. RBS will work closely with Mizuho and our existing clients associated with these loan commitments to ensure an orderly and seamless transition at completion.

 

Moody’s

On 17 March 2015, Moody’s announced multiple rating reviews following the publication of its new bank rating methodology on 16 March 2015. The new methodology affects banking entities globally and reflects, among other things, Moody’s lowered expectations about the likelihood of government support for European banks in light of the introduction of the EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD). Moody’s provided a preliminary indication of the outcome of its review which is to be completed later in 2015. Moody’s preliminary indication contemplates that RBS’s long-term senior unsecured and issuer credit ratings would be downgraded by two notches to Ba1 and that the credit ratings of certain of the Group’s subsidiaries may also be downgraded. If these downgrades occur, the credit ratings of RBSG and of certain of its subsidiaries would, therefore, be considered to be below-investment grade by that credit agency.

 

Partial sale of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. stake

On 23 March 2015, RBS announced that it intended to sell part of its shareholding in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (Citizens), and on 26 March 2015 announced the pricing of the offer.

 

The offer comprises 135 million shares, or 24.7%, of Citizens common stock at a public offering price per share of $23.75.

 

RBS has also granted a 15% over-allotment option, under which the underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 20.25 million shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total offering size, including the shares pursuant to the over-allotment option, would comprise 155.25 million shares, or 28.4% of Citizens common stock.

 

Gross proceeds realised by RBS will be $3.2 billion ($3.7 billion assuming exercise in full of the over-allotment option) with the cash proceeds being used for general business purposes.

 

Following the offering, RBS will continue to hold up to 45.6% of Citizens shares of common stock (41.9% assuming exercise of the entire over-allotment option), which are subject to a 90-day lock-up. During this period, the lock-up agreement is subject to modification, waiver or cancellation. RBS will continue to consolidate Citizens in its financial statements.

 

The partial sale is part of RBS's strategy to fully exit its holding in Citizens by the end of 2016 as part of its European Commission state aid commitments.

 

Disposal of Royal Bank of Scotland's internationally managed Private Banking and Wealth Management business.

On 27 March 2015, RBS announced it has reached an agreement to sell its internationally managed Private Banking and Wealth Management business to Union Bancaire Privée UBP SA (UBP).  The sale comprises client relationships outside the British Isles and associated staff. RBS will continue to service UK Private Banking and Wealth Management client needs, together with those of international clients with a strong connection to the UK, from the British Isles through its Coutts and Adam & Company brands. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

 

The sale includes relationships managed from Switzerland, Monaco, UAE, Qatar, Singapore and Hong Kong. As at 31 December 2014 assets under management were approximately CHF32bn and total risk-weighted assets were CHF2bn. The price paid will be determined in part by assets under management on closing. RBS anticipates receiving a premium. The resulting capital benefit to RBS is expected to be modest after writing off goodwill related to the business and taking into account anticipated exit and restructuring costs. In the Q1 2015 results, the business to be sold will be treated as a disposal group, resulting in an expected charge in the order of £200 million, primarily relating to the goodwill write off. Initial closing of the transaction is envisaged in Q4 2015, when a majority of the business is expected to transfer, with the remainder during the first part of 2016.

 

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

 

  

 

 

FY 2014 performance

 

Q4 2014 performance

 

 

Q4 2014 performance (continued) 

 

Balance sheet and capital

 

 

RBS reports a loss attributable to ordinary and B shareholders of £3.5 billion, following a £4.0 billion write-down on Citizens. Operating profit on a non-statutory basis was £3.5 billion. Significant progress was made towards building a bank that is stronger, simpler and better for both customers and shareholders.

 

RBS reports a loss attributable to ordinary and B shareholders of £3,470 million in 2014, compared with a loss of £8,995 million in 2013. The result included a loss from discontinued operations of £3,445 million, which reflected a £3,994 million fair value write-down in relation to the reclassification of Citizens to disposal groups, and a tax charge of £1.9 billion which included a £1.5 billion write-off of deferred tax assets. Operating profit, which excludes results from discontinued operations, was £2,643 million compared with an operating loss of £8,849 million in 2013.

 

On a non-statutory basis operating profit totalled £3,503 million for 2014, compared with an operating loss of £7,500 million in 2013. This reflected improved operating results from the core domestic businesses together with significant impairment releases in Ulster Bank and RBS Capital Resolution (RCR). These results include £1,257 million of restructuring costs compared with £656 million in 2013, and £2,194 million of litigation and conduct costs compared with £3,844 million in the prior year.

 

UK Personal & Business Banking (UK PBB) delivered a good performance built on strong growth from a reinvigorated mortgage business. Commercial Banking’s efforts to stimulate demand resulted in a resumption of loan book growth; together with active management of cost and capital, this supported a significant improvement in profitability. Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) made good progress towards a lower risk model with a further £40 billion reduction in risk-weighted assets (RWAs) on a fully loaded Basel III basis.

 

 

2014 was a year of significant progress for the bank, in which we delivered against all our commitments. In line with the new strategy it set out in 2014, RBS has:

 

Note:

 

 

Within the overall strategic shape outlined for CIB in 2014, RBS is making further changes to improve its medium-term returns, building  a stronger, safer and more sustainable business, focused mainly on UK and Western European customers, both corporates and financial institutions, supported by trading and distribution platforms in the UK, US and Singapore.

 

These changes will create a more focused corporate and institutional bank built on existing product and service strengths. RBS will have a strong, client-focused product offering in sterling, US dollar and euro, including:

 

CIB will reduce its geographical footprint to approximately 13 countries, compared with 38 at the end of 2014, though RBS will also retain its back office operations in Poland and India. In addition to its main distribution and trading hubs in the UK, US and Singapore, RBS will remain present in a number of Western European countries with coverage teams. A small sales team will be retained in Japan. US operations will shrink, while retaining the presence required to support the US dollar needs of RBS’s UK and Western European customers. Priority client sectors will be targeted in infrastructure, transportation, financial institutions, energy and resources.

 

CIB will continue to reduce its balance sheet and risk profile. RWAs will be reduced by 60% from £107 billion at 31 December 2014 to £35-£40 billion in 2019, with a reduction of more than £25 billion targeted in 2015. Third party assets will be reduced from £241 billion at the end of 2014 to £75-£80 billion in 2019.

 

This CIB strategy leaves RBS well-placed to meet the ring-fencing requirements of the Banking Reform Act 2013. As previously indicated, RBS intends to place most banking services inside the ring fence. CIB’s remaining “Markets” activities, the operations of RBS International and some corporate banking activity are expected to remain outside the ring-fenced bank in separate legal entities.

 

For 2015 RBS intends to:

 

Notes:

 

“Last year we identified the areas we needed to improve in order to deliver our strategy - cost, complexity, capital and trust from our customers. The energy and resolve of our people have resulted in significant progress on each, and we have delivered on the goals we set for 2014.”

 

Ross McEwan, Chief Executive

 

 

Outlook

We expect our core UK/Irish businesses to continue to perform well, but with some income headwinds.

  

Income in CIB is likely to decline substantially faster than cost takeout at this point in its restructuring. Income in the year to date is lower than for the comparable period last year.

 

We will maintain our rigorous cost discipline and are targeting reductions of £800 million in 2015, in our underlying⁽¹⁾ operating expenses.

 

Our overall credit profile has improved but we do not expect the significant impairment recoveries experienced in 2014 in Ulster Bank and RCR to continue this year.

 

We continue to deal with various conduct and litigation issues. Whilst we cannot predict when these will be resolved it is possible that the costs relating to settling these could be substantial in 2015.

 

Our restructuring costs are expected to be materially higher than in 2014 reflecting the costs relating to the core bank transformation, CIB restructuring and preparing for Williams & Glyn exit and for ICB.

  

We are targeting RWAs to be less than £300 billion by the end of 2015, driven by RCR and CIB run-offs and the partial de-consolidation of Citizens.

 

 

 

2014 was a year of significant progress for RBS, with a much improved operating profit and major achievements in terms of business reorganisation, cost reduction, capital build and improved IT capability. As Ross McEwan has set out in his letter, the business continues to simplify and improve, focusing on putting its customers at the heart of its activities.

 

The bank has delivered a good operating profit of £3.5 billion⁽¹⁾ for 2014, but the costs associated with completing the restructuring of RBS mean we are still reporting a bottom line attributable loss. Although the huge changes to the size, shape and risk profile of the business since the financial crisis are largely complete or in hand, the further substantial restructuring of our markets operations and international spread will require careful management in 2015.  

 

Of course your Board is pleased to see the improved operating performance, which in our view reflects the underlying strength of the business. Looking back, however, we must acknowledge that we did not fully recognise the scale of the challenge that awaited us in 2009. At the time, we assumed that a Core Tier 1 capital ratio of more than 8% by 2013 would be sufficient to constitute undoubted financial strength in the minds of markets and regulators; today we have increased our capital target to 13%. We must also acknowledge that we did not anticipate the more than £9 billion of regulatory fines and customer redress we have borne so far as we paid, and will continue to pay, the price for our past conduct failings. These conduct issues have delayed the re-build of our capital and directly reduced shareholder value. They have also caused continuing reputational damage. I hope as we move beyond these issues we can fully rebuild the trust of our customers, and by doing so win more of their business.

 

The need to continue to rebuild capital strength means it has taken longer than we had expected to reach a point at which the Government could be in a position to start selling down its stake in RBS. The decision on timing rests with the Government, through UK Financial Investments, which manages its shareholding, but our task is to create the conditions in which it can do so. In working towards that end we are also furthering the interests of RBS’s other shareholders, as we believe that the beginning of the sell-down will be welcomed by investors.

 

As announced previously I will be leaving RBS in 2015. The Board is pleased to announce today that Howard Davies will succeed me as Chairman, and we welcome him to RBS. He will join the Board at the end of June and take over from me on 1 September. On the day I joined the Board in January 2009, the shares traded at 9p, equivalent to 90p today, and the implications of the bank’s financial distress were unknowable. RBS has transformed itself over the last several years and continues to do so. The renewed focus on customer and customer service will make this a better organisation for all stakeholders, most especially customers, staff and shareholders.

 

I would like to thank my colleagues on the RBS Board for their support and dedication in dealing with the unusual challenges of being a majority government-owned listed company. In particular, I would like to thank Nathan Bostock, Tony Di Iorio and Philip Scott, who all stepped down from the Board in 2014 after providing valuable service, and to welcome Morten Friis and Ewen Stevenson, who have joined the Board.

 

It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of RBS and I am confident that the Board and the many outstanding people in the bank will continue to work with dedication to restore the bank’s standing.

 

Philip Hampton

Chairman

 

Note:

 

 

This is my first letter to you since we launched a new strategy for RBS last year. It is a strategy that sets out to deliver one very simple aim. To make this a great bank for our customers; a bank that will earn back their trust, and in turn win more of their business.

 

It’s a strategy that provides the fundamental building blocks to make RBS an attractive investment, a great place to work for our people, and a UK focused bank that the country can be proud of.

 

Last year we identified the areas we needed to improve in order to deliver our strategy - cost, complexity, capital, and trust from our customers. The energy and resolve of our people has resulted in significant progress on these, and we have delivered on the goals we set for 2014.

 

 

As well as being a stronger, simpler and fairer bank, I said that we would also be a very different bank. No longer chasing global market share, but instead focusing squarely on our core strength, namely our home market places in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (RoI).

 

Our 2014 performance shows a strategy that is working. It demonstrates the forensic approach we have taken to evaluate our businesses against the returns they provide to shareholders. The strong execution against the targets we set now gives us a platform to go further, faster.

 

 

 

Today, as well as a review of our current performance I will set out exactly what this bank will become, what we will do and what we will not do as we seek to improve shareholder value and secure our market leading positions. It involves an acceleration of our strategy to build on our domestic strengths and a further reshaping of our CIB business as we seek to address its unacceptable returns.

 

We have five ambitious new goals for the second year of our plan and new financial targets so that you, our shareholders, can hold us to account for our performance.

 

2014 financial performance

The earning power of our key customer businesses lies at the heart of the strong financial progress RBS made during 2014. What you can see from these results is that underneath all the noise of  conduct, litigation and restructuring charges, we have strong performing customer businesses that are geared towards delivering sustainable returns for investors.  

 

We made an operating profit of £3.5 billion⁽¹⁾   in 2014, the highest since 2010 and a vast improvement on 2013. Great progress on cost reduction countered a fall in total income - which primarily reflected a smaller risk profile and lower income from trading activities in CIB - and led to an overall improvement in operating efficiency.

 

Our attributable loss of £3.5 billion⁽²⁾ includes £1.3 billion of restructuring charges, £2.2 billion in litigation and conduct provisions, a £1.5 billion net deferred tax asset write-off, the initial £320 million dividend for the Dividend Access Share and a write-down of £4 billion anticipating the disposal of Citizens.

 

It is increasingly clear what is driving underlying performance at RBS - PBB and CPB. PBB and CPB are now more important to RBS’s performance than at any time in the past decade. This year they generated 61% of our income, compared with c.37% for equivalent businesses in 2009. And they have been at the forefront of progress towards our goal of increased operating efficiency, reducing adjusted operating expense⁽³⁾ by 2.6% over the year whilst income was up 2.3%. ROEs of 17.5% and 11.9% respectively demonstrate their value to RBS today.

 

These franchises are also the custodians of our core strengths - serving the everyday banking needs of over 18 million personal and business customers in the UK and RoI, and helping these customers meet their ambitions. We’re investing in these franchises with a view to exceeding customers’ expectations and generating sustainable returns.

 

The performance of CIB reflects the big changes this business is going through, and the tough macro-economic conditions and increasingly high costs of regulation it faces. Income decreased alongside lower adjusted operating expenses as we reduced CIB’s risk profile in accordance with our strategy, with restructuring, litigation and conduct costs pushing the business to an operating loss. But CIB has a strong customer franchise serving our leading UK and Western European clients; increasingly it is these clients we intend to focus on. I will set out later in this letter the steps we will take to do this.

 

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

 

An overarching part of delivering sustainable returns is controlling operating costs. When I announced our cost target last year it was described by some as the most ambitious cost target in Europe. Well, through our drive across the bank for greater simplicity we have over-delivered, and surpassed our target of £1 billion of operating cost savings for the bank. With a cost:income ratio for the year of 68% on an adjusted basis⁽¹⁾ , we are still behind our peers on cost efficiency; and there is work to do to fulfil our desire to take it below 50%. But we have a strong track record on delivery, and there is resolve across this bank to get this done.

 

I am very pleased with the progress we have made in 2014 against our stated objectives. While that progress is evident in the operating profit line of the results announced today, we are still posting an attributable loss to our shareholders. This is an accounting consequence of one of our 2014 achievements - the successful flotation of Citizens on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Now the deconsolidation of Citizens is finally within sight, accounting rules require us to write it down to its estimated disposal value. This write-down substantially represents the goodwill previously attached to Citizens. While I realise that the headlines this generates are disappointing it is important to emphasise that this particular accounting loss does not change our regulatory capital or tangible net asset value.

 

Safety remains a cornerstone of our strategy

A core question for any bank seeking the trust of its customers is whether it’s safe and strong and focused and able to support customers and the economy. The progress we have made should mean that it is no longer in any doubt. The CET1 ratio has improved by 260 basis points to 11.2% over the course of the year, up from 8.6% as at 31 December 2013. We reached our full year 2015 CET1 target of 11% one year ahead of schedule, and we are on track to achieve a revised CET1 target of 13%, which we have set in place for the period of the CIB restructuring.

 

We now have considerably more high quality capital than we had when the financial crisis hit and this bank was bailed out by the taxpayer. But we need to meet and exceed the expectations of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and of our shareholders and bondholders. Stress test results show it’s not just how much capital you have, but how your balance sheet behaves under extreme economic scenarios.

 

This year our team in RBS Capital Resolution has managed to accelerate the removal of some of our most capital intensive assets, and we are on track to complete our 2014-2016 RCR run-down targets by the end of 2015, one year ahead of the original target we set for ourselves. Our capital strength will be bolstered further when Citizens Financial Group in the USA is deconsolidated from our balance sheet. This is also expected in 2015.

 

In 2015, we also plan to start a programme of issuing Basel III compliant Additional Tier 1 capital instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note:

 

 

Conduct

It has taken far longer than anyone realised to root out all the past problems, practices and related fines, and we still have challenges on the horizon. We are changing the culture of this bank; our aim is that shareholders are not exposed to this scale of conduct risk again.

 

What you will have seen from me over the last year is the way I will be open and honest with you and our customers when dealing with these issues; the way we continue to approach FX is a good example of this. I will not hide. I will talk openly about the hurt this wrongdoing causes me and the many thousands of people within this bank. I will detail the things we are doing to put things right for our customers, and the challenge and change we are driving through the culture and conduct of our staff.

 

We are determined to learn the lessons from the wrongdoings of the past and ensure that those responsible are held to account.

 

Building on our strengths

I said this time last year that the days when global domination mattered more to RBS than great customer service are well and truly over. Well, we are not just talking about being a UK-centred bank; we are a UK-centred bank. 80% of our revenues are generated in the UK. At the time of the 2008 financial crisis this number was 48%. Seven years after the crisis we still have top 3 market positions in the following UK segments:

·         large corporates and financial institutions (FIs);

·         Sterling provider in wholesale banking;

·         SME banking;

·         Private banking;

·         Financing for UK infrastructure projects; and

·         Personal banking.

We are building on this strength to manage value for shareholders and deliver the most resilient future returns.

 

In last year’s letter, I told you that where a business can’t deliver value to our shareholders in a reasonable time period we will take decisive action. We have put international private banking activities⁽¹⁾ up for sale and we are now going further, faster in reshaping parts of our CIB business.

 

The investment bank was over-stretched both in range of product and geography. There was too much risk for too little return. Given the increasing regulatory requirements on this business, it was a strategy that now has little hope of delivering acceptable returns to shareholders.

 

 

Note:

 

 

 

To be a number 1 bank means providing a full service offering to UK and Western European corporate and financial institution clients. It means providing a first class platform to process payments in the UK and Europe. And it means having the expertise to help customers raise finance on the debt capital markets and manage the high level risks they face. Serving customers in these areas is an undisputed area of strength for us - they are our core capabilities, and are essential to us providing a first class service. In addition, trading and distribution hubs in Singapore and the US will ensure the corridors of commerce remain open to allow our customers access to investors in those regions.

 

We plan to fully exit our Markets businesses in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and substantially reduce our presence in Asia Pacific and the US. We will exit our cash management services outside the UK and RoI. These businesses are not essential to our go-forward client franchise, and their standalone returns are not sufficient to justify an exception.

 

In doing so we will be free to grow and improve the services our customers value most. And by serving customers better this franchise can reinforce its competitive position and deliver sustainable returns above the cost of equity for our shareholders.

 

This is a plan for a smaller, more focused, but ultimately more valuable bank with the vast majority of its assets in the UK, and for RBS marks the end of the standalone global investment bank model.

 

What I have just outlined will require an enormous amount of effort from our people. And I do not for one second take that for granted. We have a proven track record of delivering change in our business.

 

A better bank for customers

Much has been written and discussed about the root causes of the financial crisis. For me it came down to one big problem - a failure to put the customers’ interest at the heart of our business and its culture. For too long market share mattered more than customer care.

 

It is why over the last year our people have worked hard to embed this ‘customer first’ mentality into everything we do as a bank.

 

There are some concrete achievements we can call out for 2014 including: faster account opening times, a simplified product range and a clearer pricing structure. And we went against the rest of the industry and took a calculated risk by ending teaser rates, and we now offer our best rates to new and existing customers across our product range. We may have lost customers and income as a result, but we still believe that this was the right thing to do and will deliver long term value for shareholders.

 

I want to assure our customers that the positive changes we made in 2014 are not one-off. We strive to do better for our customers every day, and when we spot an opportunity to serve customers better, we will act. For example, customers shouldn’t be penalised because they lose track of the date and are hit with an unexpected overdraft charge for the first time. And if we can do more to help customers through both the ups and downs in their finances, it is absolutely our responsibility to do so.

 

 

 

But we recognise that these are chipping away at the edges, and more radical change is needed if we are to establish real upward momentum and achieve our targets. We have to be constantly asking ourselves what a really good bank for customers would look like, and to be constantly improving what we do to take us towards that goal. In our financial reporting we will include full details of the progress we have made as well as providing clear, independent measures of the bank’s customer trust and advocacy scores.

 

We may have started from further back than some, but we are determined to reach our aspiration of being number 1 for customer service, trust and advocacy. It won’t be easy, but I firmly believe it is doable.

 

A better bank for shareholders

Critical though it is that we build a bank that is safe, in capital strength, in structure and on behaviour, it must also be profitable.

 

There are good businesses within RBS that are capable of delivering real value to their customers. If we do that, our customers will be happy for us to make a fair and sustainable profit.

 

Without sustainable profitability we cannot ensure our future safety; profit is the best form of self-replenishing capital.

 

We remain acutely conscious of how much was invested to ensure our continued survival by our private shareholders and, critically, by the Government. As we reduce the tail risks our bank is exposed to, repair our overall profitability and reshape CIB we are creating the potential to build up excess capital, paving the way for distributions to the Government and other shareholders.

 

Our strategy envisages a capital benefit net of restructuring costs from 2016. We intend to return all capital to shareholders above a CET1 ratio of 13%. This capital return, which remains subject to regulatory approval at the time, will only be made once the significant legacy conduct hurdles are behind us. We see this as another important step towards repaying the support of our shareholders, including the UK tax payer.

 

2015 Goals and revised targets

I have set out in the table below five new ambitious business goals for the second year of our strategic plan to simplify and restructure this bank, achieving them will stand us in good stead to reach our goals. We have also published a revised set of financial and business targets. These are consistent with the other changes set out in this letter, and will enable you, our shareholders, to continue to track our progress and hold us to account.

 

 

 

By 2019 RBS intends to be a low cost business focused on effective, efficient delivery for our customers. It will be a bank based in the UK and RoI, with a presence in Western Europe, the US and Singapore. It intends to be a bank with leading market positions in each of our chosen business areas, and a bank that can generate attractive returns for shareholders on a sustainable basis.

 

 

Notes:

 

Conclusion

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Chairman, Sir Philip Hampton, as he takes part in his final Annual Results with the bank. Philip joined in 2009 amid the global financial crisis and immediately brought a clear sense of purpose and direction for the bank at a time of incredible uncertainty, both for the UK and RBS. His dedication to making this a great bank for the country served him well through the tremendous, but positive, change that RBS has undergone during his tenure. I want to express my personal gratitude to Philip for guiding me during my first year as CEO, and playing a key role in implementing the strategy that will take us forward. There is still work to do, but Philip will leave on a positive note, with RBS firmly focussed on serving its customers, and shareholders.

 

What you see today is a bank on track and delivering on its plan. A bank that is determined to earn the trust of its customers every day. A bank that helps the smallest enterprises through to the largest companies grow and prosper. A bank that is determined to reward its shareholders for their support. And a bank that is able to deliver on our ambition to be number one for customer service and advocacy in the UK and RoI.

 

 

 

Building the number one bank for customer service, trust and advocacy in the UK

We use independent surveys to measure our customers’ experience and track our progress against our goal in each of our markets.

 

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Customers are asked how likely they would be to recommend their bank to a friend or colleague, and respond based on a 0-10 scale with 10 indicating ‘extremely likely’ and 0 indicating ‘not at all likely’.  Customers scoring 0 to 6 are termed detractors and customers scoring 9 to 10 are termed promoters. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is established by subtracting the proportion of detractors from the proportion of promoters.

 

In 2014, we have seen some positive NPS movements in some of our franchises and our plans for 2015 will help to gather momentum across the bank.

 

 

Suitable measures for Private Banking and Corporate & Institutional Banking are in development.

 

Notes:

The only NPS improvements in 2014 that are statistically significant are for Business Banking (RBS Scotland) and Commercial Banking.

 

 

 

Customer trust

We also use independent experts to measure our customers’ trust in the bank. Each quarter we ask customers to what extent they trust or distrust their bank to do the right thing. The score is a net measure of those customers that trust their bank (a lot or somewhat) minus those that distrust their bank (a lot or somewhat).

 

 

(6) Source: Populus (2014) and PSB (2013).  Latest quarter’s data.  Measured as a net of those that trust RBS/NatWest to do the right thing, less those that do not. Latest base sizes: NatWest England & Wales (927), RBS Scotland (206).

 

The year-on-year improvement in RBS customer trust is largely a reversion to its longer-term trend: there were issues in late 2013 that impacted the bank’s reputation and customer trust. There are early signs that customer trust in RBS is stabilising and starting to improve. NatWest has consistently performed competitively, and has shown early signs of improvement.

 

We will continue to aim for improvement through a secure, consistent and reliable service, and an unrelenting focus on our customers. 

 

Improving Customer Service

In February 2014, we made a series of commitments to our RBS and NatWest customers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table reconciles the non-statutory basis results (a non-GAAP financial measure) to the statutory basis.

 

  

Key points

 

2014 compared with 2013

 

Q4 2014 compared with Q3 2014

 

Q4 2014 compared with Q4 2013

 

 

 

The following tables reconcile the non-statutory basis results (a non-GAAP financial measure) to the statutory basis.

 

Key points

 

2014 compared with 2013

 

 

 

Key points (continued) 

 

Q4 2014 compared with Q3 2014

 

Q4 2014 compared with Q4 2013

 

 

The following tables reconcile the non-statutory basis results (a non-GAAP financial measure) to the statutory basis.