SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 6-K


Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

11 May 2012



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                                              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(File Nos. 333-162219 and 333-162219-01) and to be a part thereof from the date which it was filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 
 

 
 
Contents


 
Page 
   
Forward-looking statements
Presentation of information
Condensed consolidated income statement
6 
Group Chief Executive comment
Highlights
8 
Analysis of results
15 
  Net interest income
15 
  Non-interest income
16 
  Operating expenses
18 
  Impairment losses
19 
  Capital resources and ratios
21 
  Balance sheet
22 
   
Divisional performance
23 
   
UK Retail
26 
UK Corporate
29 
Wealth
33 
International Banking
36 
Ulster Bank
39 
US Retail & Commercial
42 
Markets
48 
Direct Line Group
52 
Central items
58 
Non-Core
59 
   
Results
66 
   
Condensed consolidated income statement
66 
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
67 
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
68 
Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet
69 
Average balance sheet
71 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
73 
 
 
1

 
 
Contents (continued)


   
Page 
     
Notes
76 
     
1.
Basis of preparation
76 
2.
Accounting policies
76 
3.
Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses
Payment Protection Insurance (PPI)
77 
78 
4.
Loan impairment provisions
79 
5. 
Tax
80 
6. 
(Loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interests
81 
7. 
Dividends
81 
8. 
Earnings per ordinary and B share
82 
9.
Segmental analysis
83 
10. 
Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups
86 
11. 
Valuation reserves
88 
12. 
Available-for-sale financial assets
90 
13. 
Contingent liabilities and commitments
90 
14. 
Litigation, investigations, reviews and proceedings
91 
15. 
Other developments
92 
16. 
Post balance sheet events
93 
 
Risk and balance sheet management
94 
   
Capital
94 
  Risk-weighted assets by division
97 
Liquidity and funding risk
98 
  Funding sources
98 
  Liquidity portfolio
101 
  Loan:deposit ratio and customer funding gap
102 
  Net stable funding ratio
103 
Credit risk
104 
  Loans and advances to customers by sector
104 
  Risk elements in lending
105 
  Loans, REIL and impairments by division
107 
  Impairment provisions
108 
  Loan impairment charge
109 
  Debt securities
110 
  Ulster Bank Group (Core and Non-Core)
112 
Country risk
117 
  Summary
119 
  Eurozone
124 
  Eurozone periphery
125 
Market risk
131 
Additional information
136 
Signature page
138 
Appendix 1  Businesses outlined for disposal
 

 
2

 
 
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; discretionary coupon and dividend payments; 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: 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 implement strategic plans on a timely basis, or at all, including the disposal of certain Non-Core assets and of certain 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 ability to access sufficient sources of liquidity and funding; deteriorations in borrower and counterparty credit quality; litigation, government and regulatory investigations including investigations relating to the setting of LIBOR and other interest rates; 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 write-downs 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; 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; the implementation of recommendations made by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) and their potential implications; 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.

 
3

 
 
Presentation of information

 

RBS Holdings N.V. (formerly ABN AMRO Holding N.V.)

In 2007, RFS Holdings B.V., which was jointly owned by the Group, the Dutch State (successor to Fortis) and Santander (together, the “Consortium Members”) completed the acquisition of ABN AMRO Holding N.V.

On 6 February 2010, the businesses of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. acquired by the Dutch State were legally demerged to a newly established company, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., which on 1 April 2010 was transferred to ABN AMRO Group N.V., itself owned by the Dutch State. Following legal separation, RBS Holdings N.V. (formerly ABN AMRO Holding N.V.) has one operating subsidiary, The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. (“RBS N.V.”), a fully operational bank within the Group. RBS N.V. is independently rated and regulated by the Dutch Central Bank. Certain assets within RBS N.V. continue to be shared by the Consortium Members.

On 19 April 2011, the Group announced the proposed transfers of a substantial part of the business activities of RBS N.V. to the Royal Bank. Subject to, among other matters, regulatory and other approvals and procedures, it is expected that the transfers will be implemented on a phased basis over a period ending 31 December 2013. A large part of the transfers is expected to have taken place by the end of 2012.

On 17 October 2011, the Group completed the transfer of a substantial part of the UK activities of RBS N.V. to the Royal Bank pursuant to Part VII of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Approximately 98% of the issued share capital of RFS Holdings B.V. is held by the Group.

Non-GAAP financial information

The directors manage the Group’s performance by class of business, before certain reconciling items, as is presented in the segmental analysis on pages 83 to 85 (the “managed basis”). Discussion of the Group’s performance focuses on the managed basis as the Group believes that such measures allow a more meaningful analysis of the Group’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 on pages 83 to 85. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures. Furthermore, RBS has divided its operations into “Core” and “Non- Core”. Certain measures disclosed in this document for 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 Non-Core. In addition, RBS has further divided parts of the Core business into “Retail & Commercial” consisting of the UK Retail, UK Corporate, Wealth, International Banking, Ulster Bank and US Retail & Commercial divisions. This is a non GAAP financial measure. Lastly, the Basel III net stable funding ratio (see page 103) represents a non-GAAP financial measure given it is a metric that is not yet required to be disclosed by a government, governmental authority or self-regulatory organisation.
 
 
4

 
 
Presentation of information (continued)

 

Disposal groups
In accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’, in Q4 2011 the Group transferred the assets and liabilities relating to the planned disposal 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’), to assets and liabilities of disposal groups.

Restatements

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 have seen the reorganisation of the Group’s wholesale businesses into ‘Markets’ and ‘International Banking’ and the proposed exit and/or 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 broking, equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions advisory businesses. Significant reductions in balance sheet, funding requirements and cost base in the remaining wholesale businesses will be implemented

Revised allocation of Group Treasury costs
In the first quarter of 2012, the Group revised its allocation of funding and liquidity costs and capital for the new divisional structure as well as for a new methodology. The new methodology is designed to ensure that the allocated funding and liquidity costs more fully reflect each division’s funding requirement.

Revised divisional return on equity ratios
For the purposes of divisional return on equity ratios, notional equity has been calculated as a percentage of the monthly average of divisional risk-weighted assets (RWAs), adjusted for capital deductions. Historically, notional equity was allocated at 9% of RWAs for the Retail & Commercial divisions and 10% of RWAs for Global Banking & Markets. This has been revised and 10% of RWAs is now applied to both the Retail & Commercial and Markets divisions.

Fair Value of own Debt and Derivative Liabilities
The Group had previously excluded changes in the fair value of own debt (FVOD) in presenting the underlying performance of the Group on a managed basis given it is a volatile non-cash item. To better align our managed view of performance, movements in the fair value of own derivative liabilities (FVDL), previously incorporated within Markets operating performance, are now combined with the movement in FVOD in a single measure, ‘Own Credit Adjustments’ (OCA). Group and Markets operating results have been adjusted to reflect this change which does not affect profit/(loss) before and after tax.

Comparatives have been restated accordingly.
 
 
5

 
 
Condensed consolidated income statement
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012

 

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Interest receivable
5,017 
5,234 
5,401 
Interest payable
(2,018)
(2,160)
(2,100)
       
Net interest income
2,999 
3,074 
3,301 
       
Fees and commissions receivable
1,487 
1,590 
1,642 
Fees and commissions payable
(290)
(573)
(260)
Income from trading activities
212 
(238)
835 
Gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt
577 
(1)
Other operating income (excluding insurance net premium income)
(747)
205 
391 
Insurance net premium income
938 
981 
1,149 
Non-interest income
2,177 
1,964 
3,757 
Total income
5,176 
5,038 
7,058 
Staff costs
(2,570)
(1,993)
(2,399)
Premises and equipment
(563)
(674)
(571)
Other administrative expenses
(1,016)
(1,296)
(921)
Depreciation and amortisation
(468)
(513)
(424)
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets
(91)
       
Operating expenses
(4,617)
(4,567)
(4,315)
       
Profit before insurance net claims and impairment losses
559 
471 
2,743 
Insurance net claims
(649)
(529)
(912)
Impairment losses
(1,314)
(1,918)
(1,947)
       
Operating loss before tax
(1,404)
(1,976)
(116)
Tax (charge)/credit
(139)
186 
(423)
       
Loss from continuing operations
(1,543)
(1,790)
(539)
Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax
10 
10 
       
Loss for the period
(1,538)
(1,780)
(529)
Non-controlling interests
14 
(18)
       
Loss attributable to ordinary and B shareholders
(1,524)
(1,798)
(528)
       
Basic loss per ordinary and B share from continuing operations
(1.4p)
(1.7p)
(0.5p)
       
Diluted loss per ordinary and B share from continuing operations
(1.4p)
(1.7p)
(0.5p)
       
Basic loss per ordinary and B share from discontinued operations
       
Diluted loss per ordinary and B share from discontinued operations

 
6

 
 
Comment


Stephen Hester, Group Chief Executive, commented:
The start of 2012 has shown pleasing progress at RBS within the context of a flat economic environment.

RBS has two jobs. Excellent progress continues in removing “mistakes” of the past. Non-Core assets have fallen, again. Liquidity is stronger, again. This week the bank will repay the last of the UK Government-backed funding support we received during the crisis. We will also recommence paying dividends/coupons on hybrid capital. These are important recovery milestones.

Our second job is running the new RBS well and better. Here the bank also shows continued progress, though held back by economic conditions. In January we announced a restructuring in our wholesale banking activities and this is proceeding well. The Markets business rebounded to a 21% ROE in the seasonally strong Q1 whilst allocated resources were reduced. Retail and Commercial businesses remain solid - still impacted by subdued income trends and Irish losses, but cash-generative and competitively robust.

Extensive restructuring activity continues apace across the Group to achieve future improvement. Customer service and support remain at the forefront of our priorities for the tens of millions who rely on us.
 
 
7

 

Highlights

 

First quarter 2012 results summary
RBS made further progress towards its strategic goals during Q1 2012. The Group has continued to deleverage and de-risk its balance sheet, with Non-Core funded assets falling by £11 billion to £83 billion and Markets funded assets falling by £13 billion.

With growth prospects muted in the major economies in which the Group operates, and with fragilities persisting in European financial markets, the focus has remained on improving balance sheet strength and a strong liquidity position. RBS has prioritised stable sources of deposit funding, with the Group loan:deposit ratio improving 200 basis points to 106% at the end of Q1 2012. Utilisation of short-term wholesale funding was cut by £23 billion during the quarter to £80 billion, which represents c.8% of funded assets and more than meets the Group’s medium-term target. The Group will this week repay the final tranche of notes issued under the Government’s CGS; over the last three years RBS will have repaid £75 billion of funding under the CGS and the Special Liquidity Scheme. The capital position remains robust, with a Core Tier 1 ratio of 10.8% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 16.3x.


Operating profit
Group operating loss was £1,404 million, compared with a loss of £1,976 million in Q4 2011. On a managed basis, Group operating profit in Q1 2012 totalled £1,184 million, compared with a loss of £144 million in the previous quarter and a profit of £1,133 million in Q1 2011. Income was up 3% to £5,176 million, expenses rose 1% to £4,617 million and impairments fell by 31% to £1,314 million. On a managed basis income was up 25% to £7,131 million, while expenses rose 9% to £3,984 million, and impairments fell by 22% to £1,314 million. Core operating profits were £1,667 million, up 46% from Q4 2011, while Non-Core operating losses fell to £483 million (Q4 2011 - £1,282 million).

The improvement in Core results was driven by Markets, where operating profits rose to £824 million from a loss of £109 million in Q4 2011. Retail & Commercial operating performance remained resilient in challenging economic conditions, with overall operating profit of £903 million (Q4 2011 - £1,033 million) which includes a £77 million sequential quarter decline in Ulster Bank due to higher impairments.

·
UK Retail operating profit was up 4% at £477 million. While the low interest rate environment creates some income challenges, this has been more than offset by favourable impairment trends.
   
·
UK Corporate delivered stable pre-impairment profits and a strong improvement in operating profit to £492 million, in the absence of any large impairments as were incurred in Q4 2011.
   
·
Wealth operating profit totalled £45 million. Adjusting for the release of deposit insurance levies in Q4 2011 and for a regulatory fine in Q1 2012, profits were broadly stable.
   
·
Ulster Bank still faces exceedingly difficult market conditions, with operating losses of £310 million driven by the continuing deterioration in retail mortgage credit metrics.
   
·
US Retail & Commercial operating profits rose again on an underlying basis. However they fell 42% to £102 million ($160 million), due to the impact of a litigation settlement of £88 million ($138 million).

 
8

 

Highlights (continued)

 

First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)
·
International Banking delivered good income from its cash management and trade finance businesses, offset by reduced revenue from outstanding loans, reflecting the Group’s focused reduction of capital-intensive activities.
   
·
The restructured Markets division benefited from improved market conditions in the first quarter, with a strong performance in rates and a recovery in credit markets and asset backed products. Operating profit totalled £824 million, compared with a loss of £109 million in Q4 2011.
   
·
Direct Line Group’s operating profit of £84 million was down 33% from Q4 2011, largely reflecting seasonal weather claims, but up 25% relative to Q1 2011.

Non-Core achieved a significant reduction in operating losses, largely reflecting lower trading losses than those incurred in the restructure and divestment of a number of capital-intensive exposures during Q4 2011. Impairment losses were 35% lower, primarily reflecting lower commercial real estate provisioning.

Non-operating items
Restructuring costs were £460 million during the quarter, slightly lower than in Q4. This includes c.£271 million relating to the Markets and International Banking restructuring. This cost was offset by a gain of £577 million from a liability management exercise whereby the Group exchanged £2.8 billion of new Lower Tier 2 (LT2) instruments for £3.4 billion of existing LT2 instruments during March. A charge of £43 million was booked in respect of the APS, which is accounted for as a credit derivative. A total of £2.5 billion has now been expensed for the APS, which equals the minimum fee payable. The Group took an additional reserve of £125 million for PPI claims during Q1 and has now accrued £1.2 billion for PPI claims, through new and pre-existing reserves, of which £501 million has been paid out as of 31 March 2012.

As RBS’s credit spreads tightened during the quarter, a charge of £2,456 million was booked for own credit adjustments, compared with a charge of £472 million in Q4 2011.

After these non-operating items the Group’s operating loss before tax totalled £1,404 million and loss attributable to shareholders was £1,524 million. Excluding own credit adjustments, operating profit before tax was £1,052 million.


Efficiency
Group expenses were up 1% from Q4 2011 driven by the variability of staff expense accruals tied to increased revenues in Markets and PPI costs of £125 million, and up 7% compared with Q1 2011 primarily due to bank levy charges of £300 million in Q4 2011. On a managed basis, Core expenses were up 12% from Q4 2011, but down 2% compared with Q1 2011. This largely reflects the variability of staff expense accruals, as accruals of deferred compensation are more heavily weighted to the first quarter. Markets’ compensation to revenue ratio was 29%, compared with 33% in Q1 2011. Non-Core expenses, meanwhile, were down 16%, leaving Group expenses on a managed basis in Q1 2012 at £3,984 million, up 9% from Q4 2011 but down 3% from Q1 2011.
 
 
9

 
 
Highlights (continued)

 

First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)
The Core Group’s cost:income ratio in Q1 2012 was 60%, compared with 62% in Q4 2011 and 55% in Q1 2011. The improvement compared to Q4 2011 was driven by the improved income performance in Markets, while Retail & Commercial’s cost:income ratio weakened to 60%, compared with 56% in Q4 2011.

Risk
Impairment losses totalled £1,314 million, down 22% from Q4 2011 and 33% from Q1 2011, with improvements across all divisions except Ulster Bank. UK Retail and US R&C showed continuing favourable credit quality trends. UK Corporate impairments were lower than in Q4 2011, with fewer individual impairment charges. Credit conditions in Ireland, however, remain challenging, and this was reflected both in Core Ulster Bank impairments and in Non-Core, which combined totalled £654 million in Q1 2012 compared with £570 million in Q4 2011 and £1,294 million in Q1 2011.

Overall, Core Q1 2012 annualised impairments represented 0.8% of loans and advances, compared with 0.9% in Q4 2011. For the Group as a whole, annualised impairments represented 1.1% of loans and advances, down from 1.3% in Q4 2011 and 1.5% in Q1 2011.

Balance sheet
The Group’s funded balance sheet decreased by a further £27 billion in Q1 to £950 billion at 31 March 2012. Non-Core continued to exceed its run-off targets, as funded assets decreased £11 billion to £83 billion and a further £5 billion of signed transactions are pending, principally the sale of the Group’s aviation finance business which is expected to complete by the end of Q3 2012. Markets reduced funded assets by £13 billion, reflecting the Group’s decision to exit certain businesses and reduce balance sheet consumption in a number of other capital-intensive areas.

Since the end of 2008 the Group has reduced its funded balance sheet by £276 billion.

Liquidity and funding
Since embarking on its Strategic Plan in 2009 RBS has targeted a more stable deposit-led funding position with reduced dependence on wholesale funding sources. During Q1 2012, the Group has achieved significant progress towards this objective.

One key measure, the Group loan:deposit ratio, improved 200 basis points to 106% at the end of Q1 2012. This was driven by the continuing run-off of Non-Core and accelerated deleveraging in International Banking. The Core loan:deposit ratio improved further, by 1%, to 93%. UK Retail customer deposits grew strongly, up £2.3 billion in Q1 2012 and up 8% from Q1 2011, while Corporate deposits were stable year-on-year.

Another key focus has been to lower the amount of short-term wholesale funding while increasing the amount of liquidity coverage. During Q1 2012, short-term wholesale funding decreased by £23 billion to £80 billion. This represents c.8% of funded assets, and is already within the Group’s medium-term target for short-term wholesale funding of less than 10%. Liquidity reserves were £153 billion, or 1.9 times the short-term wholesale funding, also above the Group’s medium-term target of 150% coverage.
 
 
10

 
 
Highlights (continued)


First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)
Funding sources have been diversified, with usage of Moody’s rated US money market funds reduced from 15% of unsecured short-term funding to less than 3%. The liquidity portfolio was maintained above target levels at £153 billion, which covers outstanding commercial paper and certificates of deposit five times over.

Net term issuance during the quarter totalled £2.3 billion. In addition, the Group issued £2.8 billion of lower tier 2 securities as part of a liability management exercise. The Group plans no further unsecured term issuance over the balance of the year.

The final tranche of notes issued under the Government’s Credit Guarantee Scheme will be repaid next week; as a result the Group will have repaid a total of £75 billion of funding under the CGS and the Special Liquidity Scheme.

Capital
The Group’s capital position remains robust, with a Core Tier 1 ratio of 10.8% at 31 March 2012, compared with 10.6% at 31 December 2011. The increase reflects retained profits, net of changes in fair value of debt, as well as a reduction in RWAs of £12 billion in the quarter to £496 billion, excluding the effect of the APS. The Core Tier 1 benefit arising from the APS was 85bp. RBS’s Tier 1 leverage ratio was 16.3x at 31 March 2012.

 
11

 
 
Highlights (continued)

 

First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)

Preference dividends
On 26 November 2009, RBS entered into a State Aid Commitment Deed with HM Treasury containing commitments and undertakings that were designed to ensure that HM Treasury was able to comply with the commitments to be given by it to the European Commission for the purposes of obtaining approval for the State aid provided to RBS. As part of these commitments and undertakings, RBS agreed not to pay discretionary coupons and dividends on its existing hybrid capital instruments for a period of two years. This period commenced on 30 April 2010 for RBS Group instruments (the two year deferral period for RBS Holdings N.V. instruments commenced on 1 April 2011). On 30 April 2012 this period ended for RBS Group instruments. RBS has determined that it is now in a position to recommence payments on the RBS Group instruments.

The Core Tier 1 capital impact of discretionary amounts that will be payable over the remainder of 2012 on the RBS Group instruments on which payments have previously been stopped is c.£350 million. In the context of recent macro-prudential policy discussions, the Board of RBS has decided to neutralise any impact on Core Tier 1 capital through equity issuance. Approximately £250 million of this is ascribed to equity funding of employee incentive awards through the sale of surplus shares held by the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust, which is now substantially complete. An additional c.£100 million will be raised through the issue of new ordinary shares, which is expected to take place over time during the second half of 2012.

The Directors have declared the discretionary dividends on Series M, N, P, Q, R, S, and T non-cumulative dollar preference shares of US$0.01 each for the three months to 30 June 2012, and the discretionary dividend on the Series 2 non-cumulative Euro preference shares of €0.01 for the 12 months to 30 June 2012. These discretionary dividends as well as the discretionary distributions on the RBSG/RBS innovative securities RBS Capital Trust A, RBS Capital Trust B, RBS Capital Trust D, RBS Capital Trust I, RBS Capital Trust II and RBS Capital Trust IV will be paid on their scheduled payment dates in June 2012.  Future coupons and dividends on RBS Group hybrid capital instruments will only be paid subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of the relevant instruments.

Share consolidation
The Group’s Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2012 will consider resolutions which, if approved, will sub-divide and consolidate the Group’s ordinary shares. As the Group currently has a very large number of ordinary shares in issue, a small movement in the share price can result in large percentage movements and considerable volatility in the Group’s shares. The Board believes that the sub-division and consolidation will result in a share price and nominal value more appropriate for a company of the Group’s size in the UK market and may assist in reducing volatility, thereby enabling a more consistent valuation.
 
 
12

 

Highlights (continued)

 

First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)

Disposals
The Group continues to target the second half of 2012 for the sale of the first tranche in Direct Line Group through a public flotation, subject to market conditions. Preparations for Direct Line Group’s separation have continued, with good progress on the business’s new name and identity and the appointment of Mike Biggs as chairman.

Planning and integration work for the carve out and sale to Santander of the RBS England and Wales and NatWest Scotland branch-based businesses, along with certain SME and corporate activities across the UK, continues to progress as expected.

These two disposals will substantially complete the series of divestments the Group agreed to make to comply with EC state aid requirements.

Customer franchises
RBS’s first priority is to serve its customers well. Full year 2011 results of both UK Retail and Ulster Bank’s customer charters were published in Q1 2012, with UK Retail achieving 23 of the 25 goals and Ulster Bank achieving 28 of their 29 objectives. Further improvements are still needed in service and in resolving complaints fairly, consistently and promptly.

US Retail & Commercial completed the rollout of its core customer commitments during the quarter.

Following the success of mobile applications launched in a number of the Group’s retail businesses during 2011, UK Corporate launched a new iPhone application for business banking customers during Q1 2012. The application allows customers to manage multiple accounts without the need to log in and out, view an extended transaction list and make intra-account transfers.

UK lending
RBS continues to support economic recovery in the UK and remains committed to providing the credit UK businesses need in order to achieve this.

In Q1 2012, RBS provided £14.3 billion of gross new loans and facilities to UK businesses, of which £7.9 billion was to SME customers, and £6.4 billion of overdraft renewals, including £1.5 billion to SME customers. Gross new loans and facilities to SMEs were up 18% from Q1 2011 and broadly flat to Q4 2011.

SME customers remained cautious in their economic outlook at the start of 2012 but Q1 2012 did indicate a small improvement in sentiment with Core drawn balances, excluding real estate and construction, falling only 1% from Q4 2011. This compares with a 5% quarterly fall into Q4 2011. Overdraft utilisation also increased marginally in the quarter, although largely reflecting seasonal fluctuations. Overall, utilisation remained below 50% as it has for over two years. The Group has seen a steady increase in the demand for invoice and asset financing by SME customers, with Core net advances from these sources a significant component of gross lending and up 6% year-on-year.
 
 
13

 

Highlights (continued)

 

First quarter 2012 results summary (continued)
Gross new loans and facilities provided to mid and large corporates fell quarter on quarter, and compared with Q1 2011, reflecting many businesses’ decision to bring re-financing forward into 2011 and also the continuing low level of merger & acquisition activity in the market.

The UK Government’s National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) was launched in March, with support from a number of the UK’s leading banks, including RBS. RBS is the only bank to offer the 1% pricing discount to customers for loans from £1,000 in value, thus ensuring that we use NLGS to support as wide a range of customers as possible. Six weeks after launch, the Group has provided 1,600 loans and asset finance facilities under the scheme, with two thirds of these being for amounts under £25,000.

The Group also participates in the Regional Growth Fund, Business Growth Fund and the Enterprise Finance Guarantee for UK businesses. It also offers mortgages under the NewBuy scheme announced at the start of March 2012 which provide first time buyers, and other movers unable to raise a large deposit, with a more affordable way to move onto, or up, the property ladder.

Gross new mortgage lending in Q1 2012 was £4.0 billion, with the proportion of mortgages provided to first time buyers increasing to almost a quarter during March 2012, largely reflecting higher demand prior to the end of the stamp duty holiday.

Outlook
Economic and regulatory challenges should continue throughout 2012.

Against this backdrop, we nonetheless expect Retail and Commercial performance to remain resilient.

Markets, while off to a good start, will remain market-dependent.

Group net interest margin outlook is stable with the first quarter of 2012.

We expect to achieve further progress in our balance sheet ‘safety and soundness’ agenda. Non-Core is on track to hit asset targets within our loss tolerance, and funding and liquidity momentum should continue.

 
14

 

Analysis of results


 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
Net interest income
£m 
£m 
     
Net interest income
2,999 
3,074 
     
Average interest-earning assets
640,658 
663,519 
     
Net interest margin
   
  - Group
1.88% 
1.84% 
  - Retail & Commercial (1)
2.91% 
2.90% 
  - Non-Core
0.31% 
0.42% 

Notes:
(1)
Retail & Commercial (R&C) comprises the UK Retail, UK Corporate, Wealth, International Banking, Ulster Bank and US Retail & Commercial divisions.

 
Key points

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Group net interest income decreased by £75 million, primarily reflecting the deleveraging of the Group’s balance sheet. Core was down £38 million, Non-Core £35 million.
   
·
Retail & Commercial net interest margin (NIM) was 1 basis point higher, driven by modest widening of asset margins, partially mitigated by continuing pressure on deposit margins in the Core UK franchises.
   
·
Group NIM increased 4 basis points benefiting from lower funding and liquidity costs, as the expensive Credit Guarantee Scheme funding was repaid, and the run-off of the lower spread Non-Core book continued.

 
15

 
 
Analysis of results (continued)

 

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
Non-interest income
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Fees and commissions receivable
1,487 
1,590 
1,642 
Fees and commissions payable
(290)
(573)
(260)
Net fees and commissions
1,197 
1,017 
1,382
Income from trading activities
     
 - managed basis
1,264 
242 
1,570 
 - Asset Protection Scheme
(43)
(209)
(469)
 - Own credit adjustments*
(1,009)
(272)
(266)
 - RFS Holdings minority interest
 - 
 
212 
(238)
835 
Gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt
577 
(1)
Other operating (loss)/ income (excluding insurance net premium income)
     
 - managed basis
725 
405 
710 
 - strategic disposals**
(8)
(2) 
(23)
 - Own credit adjustments*
(1,447)
(200)
(294)
 - Intergration and restructuring costs
(4)
 - RFS Holdings minority interest
(17)
2  
 
(747)
205 
391 
Insurance net premium income
938 
981 
1,149 
Total non-interest income
2,177 
1,964 
3,757 

* Own credit adjustments impact:
     
Income from trading activities
(1,009)
(272)
(266)
Other operating income
(1,447)
(200)
(294)
Own credit adjustments
(2,456)
(472)
(560)
       
**Strategic disposals
     
(Loss)/gain on sale and provision for loss on disposal of investments in:
     
  - Global Merchant Services
47 
  - Goodwill relating to UK branch-based businesses
(80)
  - Other
(8)
(2)
(70)
 
(8)
(82)
(23)

Key points

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Non-interest income increased by £213 million, 11%, primarily reflecting a strong seasonal bounce in trading income in Markets, a gain on redemption of own debt of £577 million, offset by own credit adjustments of £2,456 million.
   
·
A charge of £43 million was taken in relation to the APS. The cumulative charge on APS now totals £2.5 billion, equal to the minimum fee payable. The Group plans to exit the APS, subject to the approval of the FSA, in the fourth quarter of 2012.
   
·
Significant tightening of the Group’s credit spreads resulted in a charge of £2,456 million in relation to own credit adjustments, compared with a charge of £472 million in Q4 2011.
   
·
The Group recorded a gain of £577 million on the redemption of its own debt, following a liability management exercise as the Group exchanged £2.8 billion of new lower tier 2 (LT2) instruments for £3.4 billion of existing LT2 instruments.
 
 
16

 

Analysis of results (continued)

 

Key points (continued)

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011 (continued)

·
Non-Core non-interest income increased, with gains on disposals of £182 million compared with prior period losses of £36 million, along with lower fair-value write-downs.


Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Non-interest income was 42% lower, largely as a result of decreased trading income in Markets, reflecting a less pronounced seasonal recovery in activity and lower investor confidence compared with the same period last year and own credit adjustments of £2,456 million.
   
·
UK Retail fees and commissions fell as subdued consumer spending activity led to reduced transaction volumes. In addition, various Helpful Banking initiatives resulted in lower current account fees.
   
·
Insurance net premium income decreased by 18% driven by lower volumes written by Direct Line Group during 2011, reflecting the de-risking of the Motor book and the exit of certain business lines.
 
 
17

 

Analysis of results (continued)

 

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
Operating expenses and insurance claims
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Staff costs
2,570 
1,993 
2,399 
Premises and equipment
563 
674 
571 
Other administrative expenses
     
 - managed basis
819 
838 
865 
 - Payment Protection Insurance costs
125 
 - bank levy
300 
 - other
72 
158 
56 
 
1,016 
1,296 
921 
       
Administrative expenses
4,149 
3,963 
3,891 
Depreciation and amortisation
468 
513 
424  
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets
-
91 
Operating expenses
4,617 
4,567 
4,315 
       
Insurance net claims
649 
529 
912 
Staff costs as a % of total income
50% 
40% 
34% 

Key points

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Group operating expenses increased 1%, driven by the variability of staff expense accruals tied to increased revenues in Markets and PPI costs of £125 million, and the non-repeat of a bank levy charge of £300 million in Q4 2011.
   
·
R&C expenses increased by 5% largely reflecting the phasing of staff expense accruals and a litigation settlement of £88 million ($138 million) in US Retail & Commercial.
   
·
Integration and restructuring costs totalled £460 million, driven by costs relating to business exits in Markets and International Banking, Group property exits, transfer of RBS NV activities to RBS plc, and further expenditure incurred in preparation for the divestment of Direct Line Group and the branch sale to Santander.
   
·
Insurance net claims were 23% higher primarily due to adverse weather experienced in the early part of Q1 2012.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Group operating expenses increased 7% primarily driven by PPI costs of £125 million and an increase in staff costs of 7% to £2,570 million. On a managed basis Group expenses declined 3% primarily driven by benefits from the Group cost reduction programme. Headcount declined by 1%, principally as a result of the restructuring of the Markets and International Banking businesses, and branch closures in the US.
   
·
Non-Core expenses fell by 19% reflecting the on-going run down of the division, including further business disposals and country exits.
   
·
Insurance net claims decreased by £263 million, driven by a combination of reduced exposure on Motor and the exit of certain business lines.

 
18

 
 
Analysis of results (continued)

 

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
Impairment losses
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Loan impairment losses
1,295 
1,654 
1,898 
Securities
     
 - managed basis
19 
38 
49 
 - sovereign debt impairment (1)
224 
 - RFS Holding minority interest
  19  264  49 
       
Group impairment losses
1,314 
1,918 
1,947 
Loan impairment losses
     
  - individually assessed
745 
1,253 
1,285 
  - collectively assessed
595 
591 
720 
  - latent
(57)
(190)
(107)
Customer loans
1,283 
1,654 
1,898 
Bank loans
12 
Loan impairment losses
1,295 
1,654 
1,898 
Core
796 
924 
852 
Non-Core
499 
730 
1,046 
Group
1,295 
1,654 
1,898 
       
Customer loan impairment charge as a % of gross loans and advances (2)
     
Group
1.1% 
1.3% 
1.5% 
Core
0.8% 
0.9% 
0.8% 
Non-Core
2.7% 
3.7% 
4.0% 

Notes:
(1)
In the second quarter of 2011, the Group recorded an impairment loss of £733 million in respect of its AFS portfolio of Greek government debt as a result of Greece’s continuing fiscal difficulties. In the third and fourth quarters of 2011, additional impairment losses of £142 million and £224 million respectively were recorded. In Q1 2012, as part of private sector involvement in the Greek government bail-out, the vast majority of this portfolio was exchanged for Greek sovereign debt and European Financial Stability Facility notes; the Greek sovereign debt received in the exchange was sold.
(2)
Customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of gross customer loans and advances excluding reverse repurchase agreements and including disposal groups.

Key points

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Group impairment losses fell by £604 million or 31%, primarily due to a decrease in loan  impairment losses and an additional impairment of £224 million taken in Q4 2011 as a result of the decline in the value of Greek sovereign bonds.
·
Group loan impairment losses fell by £359 million or 22% driven by lower individual charges in Non-Core and improvement across Retail & Commercial businesses, with the exception of Ulster Bank. Ulster Bank continued to face challenging credit conditions.
·
UK Retail impairment losses fell by £36 million, largely driven by lower default levels and improved collections performance on the unsecured portfolio. UK Corporate impairments were lower than Q4 2011, which included a number of sizeable single-name provisions.
·
Total Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core) loan impairments were £654 million compared with £570 million in Q4 2011, an increase of 15%, primarily driven by further deterioration in asset quality in the Core residential mortgage portfolio. Non-Core Ulster Bank impairments increased by 7% to £260 million.


 
19

 
 
Analysis of results (continued)


Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Group loan impairment losses decreased by £603 million or 32%, driven by a significant decrease in Non-Core, principally due to lower losses on the Ulster Bank portfolio.
·
R&C impairment losses, excluding Ulster Bank, were stable at £395 million, with improved credit conditions in UK Retail and US Retail & Commercial largely offset by lower provision releases in UK Corporate and International Banking.
·
Core and Non-Core Ulster Bank loan impairment losses fell from £1,294 million in Q1 2011 to £654 million in Q1 2012, although credit conditions in Ireland remain challenging with credit quality continuing to weaken over the period largely due to asset value deflation.
 
 
20

 

Analysis of results (continued)

 

Capital resources and ratios
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
     
Core Tier 1 capital
£47bn 
£46bn 
Tier 1 capital
£57bn 
£57bn 
Total capital
£61bn 
£61bn 
Risk-weighted assets
   
  - gross
£496bn 
£508bn 
  - benefit of Asset Protection Scheme
(£62bn)
(£69bn)
Risk-weighted assets
£434bn 
£439bn 
Core Tier 1 ratio (1)
10.8% 
10.6% 
Tier 1 ratio
13.2% 
13.0% 
Total capital ratio
14.0% 
13.8% 

Note:
(1)
The benefit of APS in the Core Tier 1 ratio is 85bp at 31 March 2012 and 90bp at 31 December 2011.

Key points

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
The Group’s capital ratios strengthened further, with the Core Tier 1 ratio increasing to 10.8%, driven by retained profits and a reduction of 2% in gross risk-weighted assets.
   
·
RWAs fell by £12 billion during the quarter to £496 billion, excluding the effect of the APS. Post-APS, RWAs were £5 billion lower.

 
21

 

Analysis of results (continued)

 

Balance sheet
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
     
Funded balance sheet (1)
£950bn 
£977bn 
Total assets
£1,403bn 
£1,507bn 
Loans and advances to customers (2)
£460bn 
£474bn 
Customer deposits (3)
£432bn 
£437bn 
Loan:deposit ratio - Core (4)
93% 
94% 
Loan:deposit ratio - Group (4)
106% 
108% 
Short-term wholesale funding
£80bn 
£102bn 
Wholesale funding
£234bn 
£258bn 
Liquidity portfolio
£153bn 
£155bn 

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, including disposal groups and excluding repurchase agreements. Excluding disposal groups, the loan:deposit ratios of Core and Group at 31 March 2012 were 93% and 107% respectively (31 December 2011 - 94% and 110% respectively).

Key points
·
Group funded assets fell by £27 billion, driven by declines of £11 billion in Non-Core and £13 billion in Markets, as the Group continued to deleverage and to reduce capital-intensive assets.
   
·
Loans and advances to customers were £14 billion lower, principally reflecting accelerated customer repayments in International Banking and weak customer credit demand.
   
·
Customer deposits were £5 billion lower, principally reflecting seasonal movements in corporate balances. The Group loan:deposit ratio improved 200 basis points to 106% and the Core loan:deposit ratio also improved, by 100 basis points, to 93%.
   
·
The Group has maintained a robust liquidity position, with a liquidity portfolio of £153 billion (16% of funded assets) substantially exceeding outstanding short-term wholesale funding, which was reduced during the quarter by £23 billion to £80 billion.

Further analysis of the Group’s liquidity and funding position is included on pages 98 to 102.
 
 
22

 
 
 

Divisional performance

 

The operating profit/(loss) of each division is shown below.
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Operating profit/(loss) by division
     
UK Retail
477 
458 
518 
UK Corporate
492 
406 
617 
Wealth
45 
73 
70 
International Banking
97 
152 
226 
Ulster Bank
(310)
(233)
(365)
US Retail & Commercial
102 
177 
94 
Retail & Commercial
903 
1,033 
1,160 
Markets
824 
(109)
1,029 
Direct Line Group
84 
125 
67 
Central items
(144)
89 
(32)
Core
1,667 
1,138 
2,224 
Non-Core
(483)
(1,282)
(1,091)
Managed basis
1,184 
(144)
1,133 
       
Reconciling Items:
     
Own credit adjustments
(2,456)
(472)
(560)
Asset Protection Scheme
(43)
(209)
(469)
Sovereign debt impairment
(224)
Payment Protection Insurance costs
(125)
Amortisation of purchased intangible assets
(48)
(53)
(44)
Integration and restructuring costs
(460)
(478)
(145)
Gain/ (loss) on redemption of debt
577 
(1)
Strategic disposals
(8)
(82)
(23)
Bank levy
(300)
Bonus tax
(11)
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets
(11)
RFS Holdings minority interest
(25)
(2)
                      3
Statutory basis
(1,404)
(1,976)
(116)
       
       
Impairment losses/(recoveries) by division
     
UK Retail
155 
191 
194 
UK Corporate
176 
236 
107 
Wealth
10 
13 
International Banking
35 
56 
(6)
Ulster Bank
394 
327 
461 
US Retail & Commercial
19 
65 
111 
Retail & Commercial
789 
888 
872 
Markets
57 
Central items
34 
(4)
Core
825 
941 
872 
Non-Core
489 
751 
1,075 
Managed basis
1,314 
1,692 
1,947 
Reconciling Items:
     
Sovereign debt impairment
224 
RFS Holdings minority interest
Group impairment losses
1,314 
1,918 
1,947 
 
 
23

 
 
Divisional performance (continued)



 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
       
Net interest margin by division
     
UK Retail
3.61 
3.74 
4.08 
UK Corporate
3.09 
3.02 
3.19 
Wealth
3.67 
3.39 
3.24 
International Banking
1.60 
1.64 
1.83 
Ulster Bank
1.87 
1.87 
1.84 
US Retail & Commercial
3.06 
3.04 
3.00 
Retail & Commercial
2.91 
2.90 
3.05 
Non-Core
0.31 
0.42 
0.72 
       
Group net interest margin
1.88 
1.84 
2.03 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
Total funded assets
£m 
£m
     
UK Retail
116,255 
114,469 
UK Corporate
113,134 
114,098 
Wealth
21,265 
21,628 
International Banking
63,684 
69,901 
Ulster Bank
33,450 
34,637 
US Retail & Commercial
72,945 
74,925 
Markets
300,574 
313,882 
Direct Line Group
13,430 
12,912 
Central items
130,742 
126,336 
Core
865,479 
882,788 
Non-Core
83,278 
93,657 
 
948,757 
976,445 
RFS Holdings minority interest
910 
804 
 
949,667 
977,249 
 
 
24

 

Divisional performance (continued)

 
 
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Risk-weighted assets by division
         
UK Retail
48.2 
48.4 
50.3 
(4%)
UK Corporate
76.9 
79.3 
(3%)
82.3 
(7%)
Wealth
12.9 
12.9 
12.6 
2% 
International Banking
41.8 
43.2 
(3%)
45.7 
(9%)
Ulster Bank
38.4 
36.3 
6% 
31.7 
21% 
US Retail & Commercial
58.6 
59.3 
(1%)
54.0 
9% 
Retail & Commercial
276.8 
279.4 
(1%)
276.6 
Markets
115.6 
120.3 
(4%)
114.3 
1% 
Other
11.0 
12.0 
(8%)
15.8 
(30%)
Core
403.4 
411.7 
(2%)
406.7 
(1%)
Non-Core
89.9 
93.3 
(4%)
128.5 
(30%)
Group before benefit of Asset Protection Scheme
493.3 
505.0 
(2%)
535.2 
(8%)
Benefit of Asset Protection Scheme
(62.2)
(69.1)
(10%)
(98.4)
(37%)
Group before RFS Holdings minority interest
431.1 
435.9 
(1%)
436.8 
(1%)
RFS Holdings minority interest
3.2 
3.1 
3% 
2.9 
10% 
Group
434.3 
439.0 
(1%)
439.7 
(1%)

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. Historically, notional equity was allocated at 9% for the Retail & Commercial divisions and 10% for Global Banking & Markets. A consistent 10% is now applied to the Retail & Commercial and Markets divisions.

Employee numbers by division (full time equivalents in continuing
operations rounded to the nearest hundred)
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011
       
UK Retail
27,600 
27,700 
28,100 
UK Corporate
13,400 
13,600 
13,200 
Wealth
5,700 
5,700 
5,400 
International Banking
5,400 
5,400 
5,500 
Ulster Bank
4,500 
4,200 
4,300 
US Retail & Commercial
14,700 
15,400 
15,600 
Retail & Commercial
71,300 
72,000 
72,100 
Markets
13,200 
13,900 
15,600 
Direct Line Group
15,100 
14,900 
14,900 
Group Centre
6,600 
6,200 
4,800 
Core
106,200 
107,000 
107,400 
Non-Core
4,300 
4,700 
6,700 
 
110,500 
111,700 
114,100 
Business Services
33,600 
34,000 
34,100 
Integration and restructuring
1,000 
1,100 
300 
Group
145,100 
146,800 
148,500 

 
25

 

UK Retail

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
1,001 
1,032 
1,086 
Net fees and commissions
237 
242 
270 
Other non-interest income
29 
35 
34 
Non-interest income
266 
277 
304 
Total income
1,267 
1,309 
1,390 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(207)
(200)
(215)
  - other
(79)
(116)
(113)
Indirect expenses
(349)
(344)
(350)
 
(635)
(660)
(678)
Impairment losses
(155)
(191)
(194)
Operating profit
477 
458 
518 
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Personal advances
236 
276 
275 
Personal deposits
185 
214 
254 
Mortgages
563 
577 
543 
Cards
219 
238 
238 
Other
64 
80 
Total income
1,267 
1,309 
1,390 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Mortgages
34 
32 
61 
Personal
82 
116 
95 
Cards
39 
43 
38 
Total impairment losses
155 
191 
194 
       
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances
  (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by sector
     
Mortgages
0.1% 
0.1% 
0.3% 
Personal
3.5% 
4.6% 
3.3% 
Cards
2.8% 
3.0% 
2.7% 
Total
0.6% 
0.7% 
0.7% 

 
26

 

UK Retail (continued)

 
 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
24.0% 
22.8% 
24.5% 
Net interest margin
3.61% 
3.74% 
4.08% 
Cost:income ratio
50% 
50% 
49% 


 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (2)
         
  - mortgages
97.5 
95.0 
3% 
93.0 
5% 
  - personal
9.4 
10.1 
(7%)
11.4 
(18%)
  - cards
5.6 
5.7 
(2%)
5.6 
 
112.5 
110.8 
2% 
110.0 
2% 
Customer deposits (2)
104.2 
101.9 
2% 
96.1 
8% 
Assets under management (excluding deposits)
5.8 
5.5 
5% 
5.8 
Risk elements in lending (2)
4.6 
4.6 
4.6 
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
105% 
106% 
(100bp)
112% 
(700bp)
Risk-weighted assets
48.2 
48.4 
50.3 
(4%)

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)
Includes disposal groups: loans and advances to customers £7.3 billion; risk elements in lending £0.5 billion; customer deposits £8.7 billion (31 December 2011 - loans and advances to customers £7.3 billion; risk elements in lending £0.5 billion; customer deposits £8.8 billion).

Key points
In Q1 2012 UK Retail continued to focus on our commitment to customers to be the UK’s most Helpful Bank.

On 28 March 2012, the Customer Charter 2011 results were published and showed encouraging improvements. The results were independently assessed, and, of the twenty-five goals set out in the Charter, we achieved twenty-three. This result demonstrates the progress that has been made, and has been recognised by customers, but there is still work to be done to deliver improvements in service and resolve complaints fairly, consistently and promptly.

In 2012, the Charter has evolved so it is even more relevant to customers, with simplified commitments categorised under the following four key themes: knowledgeable staff will put customer needs first, we will do more to help customers when they need it most, we will provide convenient and quick service to our customers and we will continue to help strengthen the communities in which we live and work.
 
 
27

 

UK Retail (continued)

 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
UK Retail continued to deliver strong returns in Q1 2012. The division continued to achieve strong franchise growth, gaining market share on both sides of the balance sheet and increasing return on equity in the face of challenging economic conditions.
   
·
The division further reduced the loan to deposit ratio in the quarter to 105%.
 
Customer deposits grew 2%, driven by increases in both savings balances, 1%, and current account balances, 5%.
 
Gross mortgage lending market share of 11% continues above our stock position of 8%.
 
Unsecured lending contracted by 5% as the Group actively sought to improve its risk profile and customer deleveraging continued.
   
·
Income growth is proving challenging in the current economic environment.
 
Net interest margin declined 13 basis points as lower long term swap rates combined with competitive savings rates put pressure on liability margins.
 
Consumer spending has remained subdued over the quarter resulting in lower transactional fees on cards.
 
Customer behaviour continues to evolve supported by Helpful Banking initiatives, including the “Act Now” text alerts. This is reducing the level of late and overdraft fees.
   
·
The division continued to focus on strong cost discipline with good results.
 
Headcount was further reduced, although staff costs were slightly higher as Q4 2011 included a reduction in full year incentive compensation accruals.
 
Other costs were lower as strict cost control and efficiency measures delivered further benefits.
   
·
Impairment losses decreased 19% reflecting the impact of risk appetite tightening. Impairments are expected to remain stable subject to normal seasonal fluctuations and the economic environment.
   
 
Mortgage impairment losses were broadly in line with the previous quarter with arrears rates and provision coverage levels remaining stable.
 
The unsecured portfolio charge fell 24% with slightly lower default volumes and improved collections performance. The recoveries performance also gave rise to a small provision release from the defaulted book. Industry benchmarks for cards arrears remain stable, with RBS continuing to perform better than the market.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets were broadly stable, with volume growth in lower risk secured mortgages more than offset by a decrease in the unsecured portfolio. Asset quality remains stable.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Net interest income fell driven by lower liability margins, due to a continued decline in long-term swap rates and competitive pricing on savings.
   
·
Non-interest income declined as Helpful Banking initiatives and subdued consumer spending continued to depress card transaction volumes.
   
·
Overall expenses decreased with direct staff costs down largely due to headcount reductions. Other direct expenses decreased reflecting a number of cost saving initiatives.
   
·
Risk appetite tightening, combined with Helpful Banking initiatives are helping to reduce default levels, contributing to impairment losses decreasing by 20%.

 
28

 
 
UK Corporate

 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
Income statement
     
Net interest income
756 
758 
811 
Net fees and commissions
336 
341 
345 
Other non-interest income
109 
78 
106 
Non-interest income
445 
419 
451 
Total income
1,201 
1,177 
1,262 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(245)
(231)
(235)
  - other
(85)
(99)
(104)
Indirect expenses
(203)
(205)
(199)
 
(533)
(535)
(538)
Impairment losses
(176)
(236)
(107)
Operating profit
492 
406 
617 
       
Analysis of income by business
     
Corporate and commercial lending
687 
623 
722 
Asset and invoice finance
162 
169 
151 
Corporate deposits
166 
171 
174 
Other
186 
214 
215 
       
Total income
1,201 
1,177 
1,262 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Financial institutions
(2)
Hotels and restaurants
15 
16 
Housebuilding and construction
25 
27 
32 
Manufacturing
13 
Other
40 
39 
Private sector education, health, social work, recreational and
  community services
22 
81 
11 
Property
30 
19 
18 
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs
33 
29 
16 
Asset and invoice finance
14 
10 
Total impairment losses
176 
236 
107 

 
29

 

UK Corporate (continued)

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by sector
     
Financial institutions
0.1% 
(0.1%)
0.2% 
Hotels and restaurants
1.0% 
1.0% 
0.5% 
Housebuilding and construction
2.7% 
2.8% 
2.8% 
Manufacturing
1.1% 
0.5% 
Other
0.5% 
0.5% 
Private sector education, health, social work, recreational and
  community services
1.0% 
3.7% 
0.5% 
Property
0.4% 
0.3% 
0.2% 
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs
1.5% 
1.3% 
0.7% 
Asset and invoice finance
0.3% 
0.5% 
0.4% 
Total
0.6% 
0.9% 
0.4% 

Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
16.2% 
13.0% 
19.2% 
Net interest margin
3.09% 
3.02% 
3.19% 
Cost:income ratio
44% 
45% 
43% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Total third party assets
113.2 
114.2 
(1%)
117.7 
(4%)
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (2)
         
 - financial institutions
6.2 
5.8 
7% 
6.1 
2% 
 - hotels and restaurants
6.0 
6.1 
(2%)
6.7 
(10%)
 - housebuilding and construction
3.7 
3.9 
(5%)
4.5 
(18%)
 - manufacturing
4.7 
4.7 
5.2 
(10%)
 - other
34.4 
34.2 
1% 
33.6 
2% 
 - private sector education, health, social work, recreational and community services
8.6 
8.7 
(1%)
8.9 
(3%)
 - property
26.7 
28.2 
(5%)
30.2 
(12%)
 - wholesale and retail trade, repairs
9.1 
8.7 
5% 
9.8 
(7%)
 - asset and invoice finance
10.3 
10.4 
(1%)
9.8 
5% 
 
109.7 
110.7 
(1%)
114.8 
(4%)
           
Customer deposits (2)
124.3 
126.3 
(2%)
124.4 
Risk elements in lending (2)
4.9 
5.0 
(2%)
4.6 
7% 
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
87% 
86% 
100bp 
91% 
(400bp)
Risk-weighted assets
76.9 
79.3 
(3%)
82.3 
(7%)

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)
Includes disposal groups: loans and advances to customers £12.0 billion; risk elements in lending £1.0 billion; customer deposits £12.7 billion (31 December 2011 - loans and advances to customers £12.2 billion; risk elements in lending £1.0 billion; customer deposits £13.0 billion).

 
30

 

UK Corporate (continued)

 
 
Key points
In Q1 2012 UK Corporate continued to demonstrate its commitment to customers and to supporting recovery in the UK economy.

As part of the ‘Ahead for Business’ promise, fast, reliable service and customer proximity remain at the forefront of UK Corporate’s proposition. In February 2012 the division launched a new iPhone app enabling business banking customers to keep track of their finances and effectively manage opportunities and risks within their business. The division also enhanced its telephony proposition with an extended and faster service, providing expert advice to smaller businesses.

By the end of Q1 2012, RBS staff had undertaken 4,883 ‘Working with You’ visits, spending two days at a time working in their customers’ businesses, demonstrating how serious UK Corporate is about understanding and sharing its customers’ ambitions.

Q1 2012 saw the launch of the National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS). As part of the scheme UK Corporate offers a 1% pricing discount on loans, including asset finance facilities provided through the Lombard brand, to a large number of clients. RBS Group is the only bank to extend the discount for the complete range of loans, from £1,000 up to £25 million. Furthermore, UK Corporate demonstrated its continued support of the manufacturing sector by launching the 8th tranche of a £1 billion Manufacturing Fund in the quarter. The division also participated in a number of other UK Government supported schemes:

·
the Regional Growth Fund, allowing businesses to safeguard and create new jobs across the country;
   
·
the Business Growth Fund, an equity investment fund established to help Britain’s fast-growing small and medium sized businesses; and
   
·
the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, for small firms with viable business proposals that are unable to obtain a conventional loan due to lack of security.

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
UK Corporate delivered a strong performance, with return on equity of 16.2% and operating profit increasing 21% to £492 million, driven by non-interest income growth and lower impairments.
   
·
Net interest income was broadly flat while net interest margin increased 7 basis points, benefiting from a revision to deferred income recognition assumptions and increased customer margins, partially offset by higher funding costs.
   
·
Non-interest income increased 6% largely reflecting valuation movements and lower derivative close out costs associated with impaired assets.
   
·
Total costs were slightly lower, reflecting lower revenue related costs and cost efficiencies achieved in non-staff discretionary spend, largely offset by the phasing of staff incentive costs.
   
·
Impairments at £176 million were down 25%, primarily as a result of lower individual and collectively assessed provisions.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets decreased £2.4 billion reflecting improved risk parameters and marginally lower net lending, primarily property which more than offset growth in other sectors.

 
31

 

UK Corporate (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating profit decreased by £125 million, or 20%, with lower net interest income combined with an increase in impairments, partially offset by lower costs.
   
·
Net interest income decreased by 7% largely reflecting the higher impact from revisions made to deferred income recognition assumptions in Q1 2011 (£50 million) compared with Q1 2012(£28 million). Excluding these revisions, net interest income fell 4% whilst net interest margin decreased 2 basis points reflecting higher net funding costs and lower lending. Lending decreased £5 billion, including targeted reductions in the property sector.
   
·
Non-interest income decreased 1%, largely reflecting strong refinancing activity in Q1 2011, not repeated in Q1 2012, partially offset by increased operating lease activity and Markets revenue share income.
   
·
Total costs declined £5 million, 1%, with reductions in non-staff discretionary spending, largely offset by increased staff costs relating to strategic investment and control initiatives.
   
·
Impairments were 64% higher primarily driven by the significant release of latent provisions in Q1 2011.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets decreased £5.4 billion as the result of improved risk parameters and lower lending balances.

 
32

 

Wealth

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
179 
168 
157 
Net fees and commissions
93 
89 
97 
Other non-interest income
18 
23 
17 
Non-interest income
111 
112 
114 
Total income
290 
280 
271 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(117)
(96)
(100)
  - other
(60)
(43)
(44)
Indirect expenses
(58)
(55)
(52)
 
(235)
(194)
(196)
Impairment losses
(10)
(13)
(5)
Operating profit
45 
73 
70 
Analysis of income
     
Private banking
237 
232 
221 
Investments
53 
48 
50 
Total income
290 
280 
271 

Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
9.5% 
15.2% 
15.0% 
Net interest margin
3.67% 
3.39% 
3.24% 
Cost:income ratio
81% 
69% 
72% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
         
  - mortgages
8.4 
8.3 
1% 
7.8 
8% 
  - personal
6.8 
6.9 
(1%)
7.0 
(3%)
  - other
1.7 
1.7 
1.7 
 
16.9 
16.9 
16.5 
2% 
Customer deposits (2)
38.3 
38.2 
37.5 
2% 
Assets under management (excluding deposits) (2)
31.4 
30.9 
2% 
34.4 
(9%)
Risk elements in lending
0.2 
0.2 
0.2 
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos) (2)
44% 
44% 
44% 
Risk-weighted assets
12.9 
12.9 
12.6 
2% 

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)
31 March 2011 comparatives were revised in Q3 2011 to reflect the current reporting methodology.
 
 
33

 
 
Wealth (continued)

 
Key points
Q1 2012 saw further progress in the implementation of the refreshed Coutts divisional strategy across all jurisdictions.

·
Reshaping of the UK business progressed to the next phase with the restructure of key professionals in client servicing. The restructure will enable the division to provide class leading banking and wealth management propositions and assists in the preparations for the implementation of Retail Distribution Review (RDR) regulations. Revised Private Banker and Wealth Manager roles will ensure clients receive the best service and advice based on their specific needs.
   
·
On the international front, Coutts announced the sale of the Latin American, Caribbean and African business to RBC Wealth Management. The business has client assets in the region of £1.5 billion, representing approximately 2% of Coutts’ total client assets. This decision followed from the 2011 divisional strategy to focus the Coutts growth strategy on key geographies. These include the UK, Switzerland, Middle East, Russia/Commonwealth of Independent States and selected countries in Asia.
   
·
Coutts continued to prepare the deployment of a single global technology platform with the UK rollout completed in Q1 2012. The bank’s strategic investment will enable the business to operate as a global organisation on a single IT platform, transforming the way clients are served.

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Operating profit decreased 38% to £45 million, with a 4% increase in income more than offset by increased expenses.
   
·
Income growth of £10 million largely reflects improved deposit margins and strong treasury income.
   
·
Expenses increased 21% largely driven by phasing in Financial Services Compensation Scheme levies and the timing of incentive accruals. The division also incurred an £8.75 million fine from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) relating to Anti Money Laundering control processes during the period from December 2007 to November 2010.
   
·
Client assets and liabilities managed by the division increased by 1%. Assets under management increased by 2%, benefiting from a recovery in the markets in Q1 2012, and positive net new business, particularly in Asia where an improved sales management framework has been introduced.

 
34

 

Wealth (continued)


Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating profit decreased by 36% with a 7% growth in income more than offset by higher expenses and impairments.
   
·
Net interest income increased 14% with growth in lending volumes and margins, particularly within the UK, as well as sustained improvement in divisional treasury income. The decline in non-interest income reflected lower assets under management and a reduction in brokerage income.
   
·
Expenses increased 20% largely reflecting continued investment in International front office recruitment, strategic technology initiatives, including the new Avaloq based wealth management platform in the UK, regulatory projects and changes in bonus accounting methodology. Q1 2012 also included the FSA fine.
   
·
Client assets and liabilities managed by the division decreased by 2%. Customer deposits grew 2% and lending volumes increased by 2% in response to continued customer demand, particularly for UK mortgages, reflecting high interest in London property. Assets under management declined 9%, as a result of negative market movements and fund outflows occurring in the second half of 2011.

 
35

 
 
International Banking

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
Income statement
     
Net interest income from banking activities
260 
293 
303 
Funding costs of rental assets
(9)
(12)
(10)
Net interest income
251 
281 
293 
Non-interest income
291 
312 
354 
Total income
542 
593 
647 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(187)
(160)
(195)
  - other
(48)
(51)
(61)
Indirect expenses
(175)
(174)
(171)
 
(410)
(385)
(427)
Impairment (losses)/recoveries
(35)
(56)
Operating profit
97 
152 
226 
       
Of which:
     
Ongoing businesses
113 
145 
235 
Run-off businesses
(16)
(9)
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Cash management
268 
241 
216 
Trade finance
72 
67 
62 
Portfolio
197 
257 
353 
Ongoing businesses
537 
565 
631 
Run-off businesses
28 
16 
Total income
542 
593 
647 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Manufacturing and infrastructure
(17)
(75)
(32)
Property and construction
(6)
Transport and storage
(9)
Telecommunications, media and technology
(9)
Banks and financial institutions
(12)
Other
(1)
19 
52 
Total impairment (losses)/recoveries
(35)
(56)
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances (excluding reverse repurchase agreements)
0.3%
0.4%
  - 

Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios (ongoing businesses)
     
Return on equity (1)
7.5% 
9.1% 
13.2% 
Net interest margin
1.60% 
1.64% 
1.83% 
Cost:income ratio
72% 
64% 
64% 
 
Note:
(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), for the ongoing businesses.

 
36

 
 
International Banking (continued)

 
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
   
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
 
£bn 
Change 
             
Capital and balance sheet
           
Loans and advances to customers
52.3 
56.9 
(8%)
 
62.6 
(16%)
Loans and advances to banks
3.9 
3.4 
15% 
 
3.8 
3% 
Securities
4.0 
6.0 
(33%)
 
5.9 
(32%)
Cash and eligible bills
0.3 
0.3 
 
1.0 
(70%)
Other
3.2 
3.3 
(3%)
 
3.5 
(9%)
             
Total third party assets (excluding derivatives mark-to-market)
63.7 
69.9 
(9%)
 
76.8 
(17%)
Customer deposits (excluding repos)
45.0 
45.1 
 
44.1 
2% 
Risk elements in lending
0.9 
1.6 
(44%)
 
1.5 
(40%)
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
116% 
126% 
(1,000bp)
 
142% 
(2,600bp)
Risk-weighted assets
41.8 
43.2 
(3%)
 
45.7 
(9%)

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
Run-off businesses (1)
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Total income
28 
16 
Direct expenses
(21)
(21)
(25)
Operating (loss)/profit
(16)
(9)

Note:
(1)
Run-off businesses consist of the exited corporate finance business.
 
Key points
The formation of International Banking in January 2012 created a significant and integrated client focused business, well placed to serve clients’ financing, working capital and risk management needs internationally. Cash management and trade finance, both in the UK and internationally, remain key offerings for the Group’s customers and, overall, International Banking continues to invest in improving existing products and in developing new ones.

Since the restructure, substantial progress has been made on the integration. The senior management team is in place. Early engagement with clients on the integrated proposition has been positive and management are reviewing a number of revenue enhancing opportunities arising from leveraging the Group’s network coverage and product capabilities.

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Operating profit was down £55 million, reflecting lower income and increased expenses, partially offset by lower impairments.
·
Excluding run-off businesses, income was £28 million lower reflecting the uncertain and volatile macroeconomic backdrop and the continued low interest rate environment. Net interest margin decreased by 4 basis points mainly due to a reduction in higher priced Portfolio assets.
 
Portfolio income fell by £60 million reflecting the managed reduction in average assets in order to improve capital efficiency and liquidity levels.
 
Trade finance income was 7% higher due to increased guarantee fee income, mainly in Asia.
 
Cash management income was 11% higher than Q4 2011, despite weak European activity and lower global payments, and due to a higher funding surplus arising from lower liquidity buffer requirements.
 
 
37

 
 
International Banking (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011 (continued)
·
Expenses increased by £25 million, largely reflecting the timing of incentive accruals and reduced pension accruals in Q4 2011 following actuarial valuations.
   
·
Impairments of £35 million related to a small number of specific provisions.
   
·
Third party assets decreased by 9% due to managed reductions in the Portfolio loan book of £5 billion, reflecting capital management discipline, (which also resulted in a decrease in undrawn commitments) and reduced collateral required for Japanese business activities.
   
·
Customer deposits remained flat despite an increasingly competitive environment and the adverse impact of Sterling:Euro exchange rate.
   
·
The loan to deposit ratio improved from 126% to 116% mainly driven by reductions in the loan book.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating profit was down £129 million reflecting lower Portfolio income and higher impairments, partially offset by lower discretionary expenses.
   
·
Income decreased by £105 million due to a managed reduction in average assets and lower business volumes. Net interest margin decreased by 23 basis points primarily reflecting a reduction in higher yielding Portfolio assets.
 
Portfolio income was 44% lower largely reflecting an active reduction in third party assets, down 17%, and higher funding costs. Corporate product volumes fell as activity in the debt market remained subdued, and a low inflation environment also reduced hedging activity.
 
Trade finance income grew 16% as a result of strong growth in trade funded assets and trade guarantees, mainly in Asia.
 
Cash management was 24% higher, as customer deposits grew by £1 billion following the success of deposit gathering initiatives, partially offset by adverse exchange rate movements and lower interest rates.
   
·
Expenses decreased by 4% driven by lower headcount, continued cost saving initiatives including tight management control over discretionary non-staff related costs.
   
·
Impairments in Q1 2011 included a significant write back of latent provisions within Portfolio.
   
·
The Portfolio loan book fell by £10 billion due to repayments and active capital management. This drove a 17% reduction in third party assets and a 9% reduction in risk-weighted assets.

 
38

 
 
Ulster Bank

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
165 
177 
181 
Net fees and commissions
38 
28 
36 
Other non-interest income
11 
21 
15 
Non-interest income
49 
49 
51 
       
Total income
214 
226 
232 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(52)
(53)
(56)
  - other
(12)
(15)
(18)
Indirect expenses
(66)
(64)
(62)
 
(130)
(132)
(136)
Impairment losses
(394)
(327)
(461)
Operating loss
(310)
(233)
(365)
       
Analysis of income by business
     
Corporate
102 
98 
113 
Retail
88 
101 
113 
Other
24 
27 
Total income
214 
226 
232 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Mortgages
215 
133 
233 
Corporate
     
  - property
54 
83 
97 
  - other corporate
114 
100 
120 
Other lending
11 
11 
11 
       
Total impairment losses
394 
327 
461 
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advance (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by sector
     
Mortgages
4.3% 
2.7% 
4.3% 
Corporate
     
  - property
4.4% 
6.9% 
7.2% 
  - other corporate
5.8% 
5.2% 
5.5% 
Other lending
3.4% 
2.8% 
2.9% 
Total
4.6% 
3.8% 
5.0% 
 
 
 
39

 
 
Ulster Bank (continued)

 
 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
(25.8%)
(20.7%)
(36.8%)
Net interest margin
1.87% 
1.87% 
1.84% 
Cost:income ratio
61% 
58% 
59% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
         
  - mortgages
19.8 
20.0 
(1%)
21.5 
(8%)
  - corporate
         
     - property
4.9 
4.8 
2% 
5.4 
(9%)
     - other corporate
7.9 
7.7 
3% 
8.8 
(10%)
  - other lending
1.3 
1.6 
(19%)
1.5 
(13%)
 
33.9 
34.1 
(1%)
37.2 
(9%)
Customer deposits
21.0 
21.8 
(4%)
23.8 
(12%)
Risk elements in lending
         
  - mortgages
2.5 
2.2 
14% 
1.8 
39% 
  - corporate
         
     - property
1.3 
1.3 
1.0 
30% 
     - other corporate
1.9 
1.8 
6% 
1.6 
19% 
  - other lending
0.2 
0.2 
0.2 
Total risk elements in lending
5.9 
5.5 
7% 
4.6 
28% 
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
147% 
143% 
400bp 
147% 
Risk-weighted assets
38.4 
36.3 
6% 
31.7 
21% 
           
Spot exchange rate - €/£
1.200 
1.196 
1.131 
6% 

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

Key points
Economic conditions in Ireland remain challenging. Despite growth in the export sector, the domestic economy continues to be weak, unemployment remains elevated and residential property values continue to decline. These conditions adversely affected financial performance in Q1 2012, particularly the level of impairments on the residential mortgage portfolio.

Ulster Bank remains focused on the recovery of the business and on the rebuilding of a sustainable franchise into the future. Ulster Bank also continues to support the changing needs of customers, in difficult economic conditions, through the provision of a range of restructuring solutions.

Deposit gathering remains a priority and the implementation of a number of cost management initiatives across the business is progressing.
 
 
40

 

Ulster Bank (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Operating loss increased by £77 million in the quarter reflecting the impact of higher funding costs on income. Impairment losses increased by 20%, primarily due to deteriorating credit metrics of the retail mortgage portfolio, in line with market trends.
   
·
Income decreased by £12 million due to the impact of intense deposit competition. Net interest margin remained stable at 1.87% with the benefit of loan pricing initiatives, coupled with a reduced stock of liquid assets offsetting the impact of higher funding costs.
   
·
Expenses decreased by £2 million with further progress made on cost initiatives across the business, with particular focus on reducing staff costs and marketing expenditure.
   
·
Impairment losses increased by £67 million in the quarter, largely due to rising arrears rates on the residential mortgage portfolio and the continued deterioration in asset quality as property prices declined further.
   
·
Retail and SME deposit balances remained stable in the quarter despite the competitive market. However, there were further outflows of wholesale balances. Loans and advances to customers fell marginally.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets increased by £2.1 billion, mainly as a result of deterioration in mortgage credit metrics.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating loss decreased by £55 million to £310 million, with lower impairment losses partly offset by lower income.
   
·
Income fell by 8% reflecting the impact of a reducing loan book coupled with higher funding costs. Net interest margin increased by 3 basis points primarily driven by the benefit of initiatives to improve asset margins implemented during 2011 coupled with a reduction in the stock of liquid assets.
   
·
Expenses decreased by 4%, with a 14% fall in direct expenses, primarily driven by tight management of discretionary spend. Management continued to focus on implementing cost saving initiatives.
   
·
Impairment losses fell by 15% but credit conditions in Ireland remain challenging and overall, credit quality has deteriorated over the period driven by asset price deflation and affordability issues.
   
·
Loans and advances to customers declined by 9% reflecting further amortisation and ongoing weak demand for credit.
   
·
Customer deposit balances declined by 12% with growth in retail and SME balances more than offset by lower wholesale balances.

 
41

 

US Retail & Commercial (£ Sterling)

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
496 
496 
452 
Net fees and commissions
195 
199 
202 
Other non-interest income
65 
95 
73 
Non-interest income
260 
294 
275 
Total income
756 
790 
727 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(223)
(216)
(201)
  - other
(116)
(137)
(126)
  - litigation settlement
(88)
Indirect expenses
(208)
(195)
(195)
 
(635)
(548)
(522)
Impairment losses
(19)
(65)
(111)
Operating profit
102 
177 
94 
       
Average exchange rate - US$/£
1.571 
1.573 
1.601 
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Mortgages and home equity
134 
128 
109 
Personal lending and cards
99 
100 
112 
Retail deposits
220 
237 
218 
Commercial lending
160 
148 
138 
Commercial deposits
114 
110 
99 
Other
29 
67 
51 
Total income
756 
790 
727 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Residential mortgages
Home equity
22 
20 
39 
Corporate and commercial
(16)
19 
Other consumer
21 
20 
Securities
12 
27 
Total impairment losses
19 
65 
111 
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by sector
     
Residential mortgages
0.4% 
0.3% 
0.4% 
Home equity
0.6% 
0.5% 
1.1% 
Corporate and commercial
(0.3%)
0.1% 
0.4% 
Other consumer
0.2% 
1.1% 
1.3% 
Total
0.1% 
0.4% 
0.7% 

 
42

 
 
US Retail & Commercial (£ Sterling) (continued)

 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
4.5% 
8.0% 
4.5% 
Return on equity - excluding litigation settlement (1)
8.4% 
8.0% 
4.5% 
Net interest margin
3.06% 
3.04% 
3.00% 
Cost:income ratio
84% 
69% 
72% 
Cost:income ratio - excluding litigation settlement
72% 
69% 
72% 


 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Total third party assets
73.7 
75.8 
(3%)
71.8 
3% 
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
         
  - residential mortgages
6.0 
6.1 
(2%)
5.6 
7% 
  - home equity
14.2 
14.9 
(5%)
14.7 
(3%)
  - corporate and commercial
22.6 
22.9 
(1%)
20.3 
11% 
  - other consumer
8.1 
7.7 
5% 
6.4 
27% 
 
50.9 
51.6 
(1%)
47.0 
8% 
Customer deposits (excluding repos)
58.7 
60.0 
(2%)
57.2 
3% 
Risk elements in lending
         
  - retail
0.6 
0.6 
0.5 
20% 
  - commercial
0.3 
0.4 
(25%)
0.5 
(40%)
Total risk elements in lending
0.9 
1.0 
(10%)
1.0 
(10%)
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
86% 
85% 
100bp 
81% 
500bp 
Risk-weighted assets
58.6 
59.3 
(1%)
54.0 
9% 
           
Spot exchange rate - US$/£
1.599 
1.548 
 
1.605 
 

Note:
(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).

Key points
·
While sterling strengthened by 3% relative to the dollar at 31 March 2012 compared with 31 December 2011, the average sterling:dollar exchange rate was stable in Q1 2012.
   
·
Performance is described in full in the US dollar-based financial statements set out on pages 44 and 45.

 
43

 

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar)

 

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
$m 
$m 
$m 
Income statement
     
Net interest income
779 
781 
724 
Net fees and commissions
307 
314 
324 
Other non-interest income
102 
148 
116 
Non-interest income
409 
462 
440 
Total income
1,188 
1,243 
1,164 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(350)
(339)
(322)
  - other
(182)
(216)
(203)
  - litigation settlement
(138)
Indirect expenses
(327)
(307)
(312)
 
(997)
(862)
(837)
Impairment losses
(31)
(102)
(177)
Operating profit
160 
279 
150 
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Mortgages and home equity
211 
202 
175 
Personal lending and cards
156 
157 
179 
Retail deposits
346 
373 
349 
Commercial lending
251 
233 
221 
Commercial deposits
179 
173 
158 
Other
45 
105 
82 
Total income
1,188 
1,243 
1,164 
       
Analysis of impairments by sector
     
Residential mortgages
Home equity
35 
31 
63 
Corporate and commercial
(25)
13 
30 
Other consumer
33 
32 
Securities
19 
43 
Total impairment losses
31 
102 
177 
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by sector
     
Residential mortgages
0.4% 
0.3% 
0.4% 
Home equity
0.6% 
0.5% 
1.1% 
Corporate and commercial
(0.3%)
0.1% 
0.4% 
Other consumer
0.2% 
1.1% 
1.2% 
Total
0.1% 
0.4% 
0.7% 

 
44

 

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

 
 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on equity (1)
4.5% 
8.0% 
4.5% 
Return on equity - excluding litigation settlement (1)
8.4% 
8.0% 
4.5% 
Net interest margin
3.06% 
3.04% 
3.00% 
Cost:income ratio
84% 
69% 
72% 
Cost:income ratio - excluding litigation settlement
72% 
69% 
72% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
$bn 
$bn 
Change 
$bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Total third party assets
117.9 
117.3 
1% 
115.2 
2% 
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
         
  - residential mortgages
9.5 
9.4 
1% 
9.1 
4% 
  - home equity
22.6 
23.1 
(2%)
23.6 
(4%)
  - corporate and commercial
36.2 
35.3 
3% 
32.2 
12% 
  - other consumer
13.2 
12.0 
10% 
10.5 
26% 
 
81.5 
79.8 
2% 
75.4 
8% 
Customer deposits (excluding repos)
93.9 
92.8 
1% 
91.8 
2% 
Risk elements in lending
         
  - retail
0.9 
1.0 
(10%)
0.8 
13% 
  - commercial
0.6 
0.6 
0.8 
(25%)
Total risk elements in lending
1.5 
1.6 
(6%)
1.6 
(6%)
Loan:deposit ratio (excluding repos)
86% 
85% 
100bp 
81% 
500bp 
Risk-weighted assets
93.7 
91.8 
2% 
86.7 
8% 

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

Key points
In Q1 2012 US R&C continued to focus on its back-to-basics strategy, with the goal of increasing profitability through developing the customer franchise, managing expenses, and enhancing credit quality.

Consumer Banking accelerated the roll-out of its four core customer commitments to the entire branch footprint, finishing ahead of schedule. The aim of the commitments is to enhance the customer experience and further strengthen the Citizens brand, and is built around feedback received from customers.

Q1 2012 also saw Treasury Solutions (Domestic Global Transaction Services) reintegrated into the Commercial Banking Division. This reintegration will strengthen the cross-sell of Treasury Solutions products to the Commercial client base and follows the formation of a consolidated Consumer Banking division in H2 2011, aimed at strengthening the retail alignment and improving efficiencies.

A continued focus on strengthening and growing valued customer and client relationships has delivered results. For example, in Consumer Banking, the penetration of on-line banking customers, a key indicator of customer retention, continued to improve in Q1 2012 and the penetration of loan products to deposit households has shown a steady increase over the past eleven consecutive quarters.
 
 
45

 

US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
In Commercial Banking, a recent Greenwich Associates survey indicated strong year-on-year improvements. Clients placed Citizens number one or number two versus peers in several key categories, including ‘values long-term relationships’, ‘understanding of your industry’, ‘likelihood to recommend bank’ and ‘likelihood to continue using for future banking needs’.

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Operating profit of £102 million ($160 million) compares with £177 million ($279 million) in the prior quarter, a decrease of £75 million ($119 million), or 42%, reflecting the settlement of an outstanding litigation matter. Excluding the litigation settlement, operating profit increased by £13 million ($19 million) or 7%, to £190 million ($298 million) reflecting lower impairment losses partially offset by lower gains on the sale of securities.
   
·
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.
   
·
Net interest income was stable. In US dollar terms net interest income was down $2 million reflecting reducing asset yields offset by lower funding costs. Net interest margin was up 2 basis points from the prior quarter.
   
·
Loans and advances were down £0.7 billion, or 1%. In US dollar terms loans and advances were up $1.7 billion, or 2%, due to strong growth in commercial loan volumes and the purchase of a $1 billion auto loan portfolio, partly offset by the planned run-off of long term fixed rate consumer products.
   
·
Non-interest income was down £34 million ($53 million), or 12%, largely reflecting lower securities gains.
   
·
Total expenses were up £87 million ($135 million), or 16%, reflecting a litigation settlement of £88 million ($138 million) in Q1 2012. A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit relating to how overdraft fees were assessed on customer accounts prior to 2010. Citizens was one of more than 30 banks included in these class action lawsuits.
   
·
Excluding the litigation settlement, total expenses were down £1 million ($3 million) reflecting a mortgage servicing rights recapture, lower costs related to regulatory projects and the elimination of the Everyday Points rewards programme for consumer debit card customers, partially offset by the phasing of the annual incentive plan accruals, and a seasonal increase in payroll taxes.
   
·
Impairment losses were down £46 million ($71 million), or 71%, reflecting an improved credit environment and lower impairments related to securities. REIL decreased from £1.0 million ($1.6 billion) to £0.9billion ($1.5 billion).
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating profit increased to £102 million ($160 million) from £94 million ($150 million), an increase of £8 million ($10 million), or 9%, substantially driven by significantly lower impairments and increased income, largely offset by the settlement of an outstanding litigation. Excluding the litigation settlement operating profit increased by £96 million ($148 million), or 102%, to £190 million ($298 million).
   
·
Net interest income was up  £44 million ($55 million), or 10%, driven by commercial loan growth, deposit pricing discipline and lower funding costs, partially offset by consumer loan run off.

 
46

 
 
US Retail & Commercial (US Dollar) (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011 (continued)
·
Customer deposits were up 3% with strong growth achieved in checking balances. Consumer checking balances grew by 3% while small business checking balances grew by 9% over the year.
   
·
Non-interest income was down £15 million ($31 million), or 5%, reflecting lower debit card fees, as a result of the Durbin Amendment legislation, and lower gains on the sale of securities, partially offset by strong mortgage banking fees.
   
·
The Durbin Amendment became effective on 1 October 2011 and lowers the allowable interchange on debit transactions by approximately 50% to $0.23 - $0.24 per transaction.
   
·
Total expenses excluding the litigation settlement were up £25 million ($22 million), or 5% reflecting a change in accrual methodology related to the annual incentive plan during Q1 2011, partially offset by a mortgage servicing rights recapture and the elimination of the Everyday Points rewards programme for consumer debit card customers in Q1 2012.
   
·
Impairment losses declined by £92 million ($146 million), or 83%, reflecting an improved credit environment as well as lower impairments related to securities.
 
 
47

 
 
Markets

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
16 
20 
53 
Net fees and commissions receivable
77 
25 
155 
Income from trading activities
1,379 
501 
1,623 
Other operating income
262 
146 
277 
Non-interest income
1,718 
672 
2,055 
Total income
1,734 
692 
2,108 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(544)
(354)
(727)
  - other
(166)
(197)
(166)
Indirect expenses
(198)
(193)
(186)
 
(908)
(744)
(1,079)
Impairment losses
(2)
(57)
Operating profit/(loss)
824 
(109)
1,029 
       
Of which:
     
Ongoing businesses
861 
(96)
1,039 
Run-off businesses
(37)
(13)
(10)
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Rates
801 
396 
749 
Currencies
246 
259 
241 
Asset backed products
427 
29 
617 
Credit markets
313 
36 
430 
Investor products and equity derivatives
123 
118 
216 
       
Total income continuing businesses
1,910 
838 
2,253 
Inter-divisional revenue share
(186)
(177)
(208)
Run-off businesses
10 
31 
63 
Total income
1,734 
692 
2,108 
       
Memo - Fixed income and currencies
     
Rates/currencies/ABP/credit markets
1,785 
718 
2,038 
Less: primary credit markets
(171)
(134)
(229)
Total fixed income and currencies
1,614 
584 
1,809 


 
48

 

Markets (continued)

 
 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios (ongoing businesses)
     
Return on equity (1)
21.1% 
(2.4%)
26.0% 
Cost:income ratio
50% 
106% 
49% 
Compensation ratio (2)
29% 
49% 
33% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet (ongoing businesses)
         
Loans and advances
50.5 
61.2 
(17%)
67.5 
(25%)
Reverse repos
90.8 
100.4 
(10%)
104.9 
(13%)
Securities
106.6 
108.1 
(1%)
128.7 
(17%)
Cash and eligible bills
24.2 
28.1 
(14%)
33.9 
(29%)
Other
27.7 
14.8 
87% 
31.6 
(12%)
Total third party assets (excluding derivatives mark-to-market)
299.8 
312.6 
(4%)
366.6 
(18%)
Net derivative assets (after netting)
29.3 
37.0 
(21%)
34.5 
(15%)
Risk-weighted assets
115.6 
120.3 
(4%)
114.3 
1% 

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), for the ongoing businesses.
(2)
Compensation ratio is based on staff costs as a percentage of total income.

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
Run-off businesses (1)
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Total income
10 
31 
63 
Direct expenses
(47)
(44)
(73)
Operating loss
(37)
(13)
(10)

Balance sheet
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
       
Total third party assets (excluding derivatives mark to market)
0.8 
1.3 
3.0 

Note:
(1)
Run-off businesses consist of the exited cash equities, corporate broking and equity capital markets operations.
 
 
49

 
 
Markets (continued)

 
 
Key points
Good progress has been made on the restructure announced in January 2012. The sale of Hoare Govett has been completed and sales of other businesses designated for exit are well advanced. The Markets management team and governance structure is in place and implementation of the new structure through the lower levels of the organisation is underway.

Markets benefited from a traditionally strong first quarter of the year as investors returned boosted by the ECB’s Long Term Refinancing Operation (LTRO) programme and a re-emergence of confidence. However, overall activity and risk appetite remained tempered by continued concerns over the economic outlook, especially in Europe.

Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Markets returned to profit during Q1 2012, reflecting seasonally improved trading conditions and greater investor confidence.
   
·
Rates benefited from the increased liquidity and normalisation in the markets following the success of the ECB’s LTRO.
   
·
Currencies fell back as client activity declined. In response, client interaction has been increased through a more extensive programme of trading and research contact.
   
·
Asset backed products recovered strongly from a poor performance in Q4 2011. Trading volumes for non-agency products doubled, driven by strong investor demand, partly reflecting an improving macroeconomic environment in the United States.
   
·
Capital Markets benefited from the improved credit environment following the ECB’s LTRO and a seasonal recovery in origination activity. The EMEA origination business completed two large transactions during the quarter, generating significant fees. Flow credit trading benefited from a rally in corporate credit and inflows from US and European investors contrasting sharply with Q4 2011, when client activity and investor confidence were both weak.
   
·
Total expenses increased by 22%, with staff costs up 54%, reflecting a higher incentive compensation accrual related to increased revenue compared with Q4 2011, partially offset by reduced headcount. Other costs declined as cost saving programmes continued to take effect. Improvement in the cost:income ratio, and a reduction in the compensation ratio largely reflected improved revenue performance.
   
·
Impairments in both Q1 2012 and Q4 2011 reflected a small number of individual provisions.
   
·
Markets continued to carefully manage the balance sheet, with third party assets falling by 4% compared with the end of 2011, well on track to meet previously disclosed funded balance sheet targets.
   
·
Return on equity for the ongoing businesses was 21%, a significant improvement on the prior quarter due to the recovery in revenue.

 
50

 

Markets (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Both Q1 2012 and Q1 2011 benefited from seasonally high levels of investor activity, with Q1 2012 reflecting a significant recovery from prior quarter activity levels.
   
·
Operating profit of the ongoing businesses fell 17%, driven by lower revenue, partly offset by lower costs.
 
The largest absolute fall in revenue was in Asset Backed Products where the recovery in client demand in Q1 2012, though significant, was not as strong as Q1 2011. Balance sheet usage was materially reduced, despite an increase in ‘pass-through’ trading volumes following the reorganisation of the agency desk.
 
Similarly, Credit Markets also recovered in the quarter, although the increase in confidence and activity was less pronounced than Q1 2011.
 
Investor Products and Equity Derivatives weakened significantly compared with a particularly strong Q1 2011, falling by 43%, as client volumes were significantly below the levels of a year ago.
   
·
Costs also declined, reflecting a lower level of incentive rewards and the implementation of cost saving measures, driving reduced headcount.
   
·
Active balance sheet management has lowered third party assets by 18% with an emphasis on reducing levels of short-term unsecured wholesale funding, improving the stability of the funding base.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets increased by 1% driven by the implementation of CRD III at the end of 2011, partially offset by lower levels of market risk across the period.
   
·
Return on equity for the ongoing businesses fell from 26% to 21% reflecting lower revenue, combined with higher risk-weighted assets.

 
51

 

Direct Line Group

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Earned premiums
1,020 
1,043 
1,065 
Reinsurers' share
(82)
(71)
(54)
Net premium income
938 
972 
1,011 
Fees and commissions
(109)
(161)
(75)
Instalment income
31 
33 
35 
Investment income
90 
60 
64 
Other income
16 
19 
35 
Total income
966 
923 
1,070 
Direct expenses
     
 - staff expenses
(79)
(75)
(76)
 - other expenses
(91)
(79)
(87)
Indirect expenses
(63)
(55)
(56)
 
(233)
(209)
(219)
Net claims
(649)
(589)
(784)
Operating profit
84 
125 
67 
       
Analysis of income by product
     
Personal lines motor excluding broker
     
  - own brands
451 
460 
468 
  - partnerships
36 
36 
80 
Personal lines home excluding broker
     
  - own brands
121 
126 
121 
  - partnerships
92 
83 
102 
Personal lines rescue and other excluding broker
     
  - own brands
46 
47 
47 
  - partnerships
44 
(15)
49 
Commercial
91 
95 
87 
International
87 
88 
81 
Other (1)
(2) 
35 
Total income
966 
923 
1,070 

For the notes to this table refer to page 54.

 
52

 
 
Direct Line Group (continued)

 
 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
In-force policies (000s)
     
Personal lines motor excluding broker
     
  - own brands
3,827 
3,787 
4,071 
  - partnerships
322 
320 
559 
Personal lines home excluding broker
     
  - own brands
1,812 
1,811 
1,776 
  - partnerships
2,520 
2,497 
2,501 
Personal lines rescue and other excluding broker
     
  - own brands
1,803 
1,844 
1,971 
  - partnerships
7,493 
7,307 
7,909 
Commercial
417 
422 
383 
International
1,412 
1,387 
1,234 
Other (1)
43 
418 
Total in-force policies (2)
19,649 
19,376 
20,822 
       
Gross written premium (£m)
     
Personal lines motor excluding broker
     
  - own brands
398 
348 
390 
  - partnerships
37 
28 
37 
Personal lines home excluding broker
     
  - own brands
110 
112 
112 
  - partnerships
136 
132 
138 
Personal lines rescue and other excluding broker
     
  - own brands
43 
40 
42 
  - partnerships
41 
44 
40 
Commercial
107 
102 
112 
International
173 
142 
169 
Other (1)
(3)
Total gross written premium
1,046 
950 
1,037 

For the notes to this table refer to page 54.
 
 
53

 

Direct Line Group (continued)


Key metrics (continued)
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Return on tangible equity (3)
7.4% 
11.0% 
6.3% 
Loss ratio (4)
69% 
61% 
78% 
Commission ratio (5)
12% 
17% 
7% 
Expense ratio (6)
25% 
22% 
22% 
Combined operating ratio (7)
106% 
100% 
107% 
       
Balance sheet
     
Total insurance reserves - (£m) (8)
8,132 
7,284 
7,617 

Notes:
(1)
‘Other’ predominantly consists of the personal lines broker business and from Q1 2012 business previously reported in Non-Core.
(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 tangible equity is based on annualised operating profit after tax divided by average tangible equity. Q1 2012 tangible equity has been adjusted for a £300 million dividend paid to RBS Group on 27 March 2012.
(4)
Loss ratio is based on net claims divided by net premium income.
(5)
Commission ratio is based on fees and commissions divided by net premium income.
(6)
Expense ratio is based on expenses divided by net premium income.
(7)
Combined operating ratio is the sum of the loss, commission and expense ratios.
(8)
Consists of general and life insurance liabilities, unearned premium reserve and liability adequacy reserve. Q1 2012 includes business previously reported in Non-Core.

Key points
Direct Line Group continues to make good progress ahead of its divestment from the RBS Group. Q1 2012 operating profit of £84 million was negatively affected by adverse weather, but benefited from reserve releases from prior years.

The second phase of Direct Line Group’s transformation plan - to rebuild competitive advantage - is continuing and tangible benefits are beginning to be delivered. During Q1 2012, Direct Line Group began renewing own brand Home policies on its new rating engine as part of the ongoing roll out of increased functionality. Additionally, since July last year, over 200,000 claims have been registered on the new claims management system and over 1,500 new claims are now processed every day. The rationalisation of sites continues as planned with one further location exited during Q1 2012.
 
In the period from 2009 to 2011 Motor in-force policies decreased by 27%, in line with the de-risking and exit of certain business lines during the first phase of Direct Line Group’s transformation plan. During Q1 2012 Motor in-force policies grew by 1% marking a stabilisation of the portfolio. This was achieved whilst maintaining underwriting discipline.
 
 
54

 
 
Direct Line Group (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
During Q1 2012 Direct Line Group made progress with a number of partnership arrangements, which represent a significant portion of the Home segment. Expanding on the established relationship with Nationwide Building Society, a contract was signed to extend the provision of home insurance until the end of 2015. Direct Line Group is also concluding terms with UK Retail division for an arm’s length, five year distribution agreement for the continued provision of general insurance products to its customers after the divestment of Direct Line Group. Additionally, following the launch of the Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance partnership, during Q1 2012 the contract was extended to provide home insurance for Sainsbury’s customers.

Following a period of strong growth, the International division consolidated its position in the quarter. Growth in Italy arose primarily from price increases, while in Germany a contract was signed with Check24 to expand Direct Line Group’s market reach.

Commercial maintained underwriting discipline in a difficult market and work continued to improve the product offering and service to brokers.

Investment markets remained challenging with continued low yields. Direct Line Group’s investment portfolio is composed primarily of cash, investment grade corporate bonds and gilts with minimal exposure to periphery Eurozone nations. At 31 March 2012, there was no exposure to debt issued in Portugal or Greece and a total exposure of £57 million, less than 1% of the portfolio, to debt issued in Ireland, Italy and Spain.

Separation update
Ahead of the planned divestment from RBS Group, which is targeted to commence in the second half of 2012 by way of a public flotation, subject to market conditions, Direct Line Group has continued with activities in readiness for standalone status. The first stage of the separation programme is progressing as Direct Line Group begins the novation or transfer of contracts with RBS Group suppliers, and where necessary, commencement of the tendering process for new contracts. Standalone head office and other control functions are being established and key senior management have been appointed. On 23 March 2012 the appointment of Mike Biggs as Chairman of Direct Line Group was announced. He brings with him extensive industry experience and a successful track record.

A significant milestone was reached for Direct Line Group’s principal underwriting entity, U K Insurance Limited, being assigned an inaugural credit rating of A, with a stable outlook, from Standard and Poor’s and an A2 rating, with a stable outlook, from Moody’s Investors Service. Following publication of these ratings, Direct Line Group issued £500 million of Tier 2 subordinated debt on 27 April 2012.

Overall, Direct Line Group has powerful brands and is focused on delivering a disciplined, profitable business while maintaining a robust balance sheet. It has continued to make progress in executing the second phase of its business transformation plan, rebuilding competitive advantage.

 
55

 

Direct Line Group (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Operating profit of £84 million was £41 million, 33%, lower compared with Q4 2011, due to higher weather related claims experienced during Q1 2012 and increased expenses resulting from the timing of marketing expenditure, partially offset by higher investment income. Q1 2012 includes the results of insurance business previously reported in Non-Core, which overall had a negligible impact on operating result.
   
·
Gross written premium of £1,046 million rose by £96 million, or 10%, primarily as a result of the Motor sales campaign with enhanced Direct Line and Churchill marketing activity and an increase in International gross written premium, where a significant proportion of policies on the German book start on 1 January each year.
   
·
Total income of £966 million rose £43 million, or 5%, primarily due to the non-repeat of £57 million profit share paid to UK Retail during Q4 2011, which was partially offset by commissions payable relating to business previously reported in Non-Core and lower net premium income.
   
·
Net claims of £649 million were £60 million, or 10%, higher partly due to the adverse weather experienced early in Q1 2012 and the non-repeat of a release from creditor insurance reserves in Q4 2011, which was matched by a similar payment to UK Retail within fees and commissions.
   
·
Direct expenses of £170 million were £16 million, or 10%, higher mainly due to the timing of marketing expenditure associated with the new Churchill advertising campaign.
   
·
Investment income of £90 million was £30 million, or 50%, higher than Q4 2011 largely as a result of the inclusion of business previously reported in Non-Core and investment gains arising from portfolio management initiatives.
   
·
Total in-force policies grew by 1% due to Rescue and other personal lines, Motor and International. Rescue and other personal lines business grew as a result of a one-off migration of UK Retail customers to packaged current accounts, increasing the uptake of bundled travel insurance. Additionally 43,000 in-force policies relate to business moved across from Non-Core during Q1 2012 in preparation for separation.

 
56

 

Direct Line Group (continued)

 
 
Key points (continued)
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Operating profit rose by £17 million, or 25%, compared with Q1 2011 due to an improvement in loss ratio and higher investment income, which was partially offset by higher commissions payable and increased direct expenses relating to the timing of marketing and to the preparation for separation.
   
·
Gross written premiums rose by £9 million, or 1%, driven by Motor as a result of sale and marketing campaigns and due to price increases in International.
   
·
Total income fell by £104 million, or 10%, reflecting lower volumes written during the previous year following planned de-risking and higher commissions payable, partly due to the inclusion of business previously reported within Non-Core.
   
·
Net claims decreased by £135 million, or 17%, through a combination of reduced exposure on Motor and the exit of certain business lines. Additionally Q1 2012 includes reserve releases from prior years.
   
·
Direct expenses increased by £7 million or 4%, due to the marketing expenditure associated with the new Churchill advertising campaign, and activity to support separation.
   
·
Investment income rose by £26 million, or 41%, compared with Q1 2011 due to the inclusion of business previously reported within Non-Core and investment gains arising from portfolio management initiatives.
   
·
Combined operating ratio improved by 1 percent compared with Q1 2011 due to lower claims offset by higher expenses and commissions payable. For continuing business only (excluding personal lines broker and business previously reported in Non-Core) the combined operating ratio was 104% in Q1 2012 compared to 106% in Q1 2011.

 
57

 
 
Central items

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m
       
Central items not allocated
(144)
89 
(32)

Note:
(1)
Costs/charges are denoted by brackets.

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
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
Central items not allocated represented a debit of £144 million, a decrease of £233 million compared with Q4 2011. The debit primarily results from unallocated volatility costs in Group Treasury.
   
·
Q4 2011 benefited from higher securities gains and a VAT recovery.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Central items not allocated represented a debit of £144 million, a decrease of £112 million compared with Q1 2011.
   
·
The decrease was largely as a result of lower securities gains in Q1 2012, £90 million compared with £158 million.

 
58

 

Non-Core

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Income statement
     
Net interest income
13 
43 
146 
Funding costs of rental assets
51 
56 
53 
Net interest income
64 
99 
199 
Net fees and commissions
31 
(47)
47 
Loss from trading activities
(270)
(407)
(298)
Insurance net premium income
138 
Other operating income
     
  - rental income
219 
219 
245 
  - other (1)
225 
(151)
104 
Non-interest income
205 
(377)
236 
Total income/(loss)
269 
(278)
435 
Direct expenses
     
  - staff
(71)
(82)
(91)
  - operating lease depreciation
(83)
(91)
(87)
  - other
(41)
(57)
(69)
Indirect expenses
(68)
(84)
(76)
 
(263)
(314)
(323)
       
Insurance net claims
61 
(128)
Impairment losses
(489)
(751)
(1,075)
       
Operating loss
(483)
(1,282)
(1,091)

Note:
(1)
Includes gains/(losses) on disposals (Q1 2012 - £182 million gain; Q4 2011 - £36 million loss; Q1 2011 - £34 million loss).

 
59

 

Non-Core (continued)

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Analysis of income/(loss) by business
     
Banking and portfolios
177 
(142)
556 
International businesses
85 
92 
81 
Markets
(228)
(202)
Total income/(loss)
269 
(278)
435 
       
Loss from trading activities
     
Monoline exposures
(128)
(243)
(130)
Credit derivative product companies
(38)
(19)
(40)
Asset-backed products (1)
31 
(22)
66 
Other credit exotics
20 
(8)
(168)
Equities
(1)
Banking book hedges
(36)
(29)
Other
(154)
(80)
 
(270)
(407)
(298)
       
Impairment losses
     
Banking and portfolios
484 
714 
1,058 
International businesses
11 
30 
20 
Markets
(6)
(3)
Total impairment losses
489 
751 
1,075 
       
Loan impairment charge as % of gross customer loans and advances (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) (2)
     
Banking and portfolios
2.8% 
3.6% 
4.1% 
International businesses
2.1% 
5.3% 
2.1% 
Markets
(0.8%)
(8.8%)
(0.1%)
Total
2.7% 
3.7% 
4.0% 

Notes:
(1)
Asset-backed products include super senior asset-backed structures and other asset-backed products.
(2)
Includes disposal groups.

 
60

 
 
Non-Core (continued)

 
Key metrics
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Performance ratios
     
Net interest margin
0.31% 
0.42% 
0.72% 
Cost:income ratio
98% 
nm 
74% 
Adjusted cost:income ratio
98% 
nm 
105% 

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Change 
£bn 
Change 
           
Capital and balance sheet
         
Total third party assets (excluding derivatives) (1)
83.3 
93.7 
(11%)
124.8
(33%)
Total third party assets (including derivatives)
91.8 
104.7 
(12%)
137.1 
(33%)
Loans and advances to customers (gross) (2)
72.7 
79.4 
(8%)
101.0 
(28%)
Customer deposits (2)
3.1 
3.5 
(11%)
7.1 
(56%)
Risk elements in lending (2)
23.5 
24.0 
(2%)
24.0 
(2%)
Risk-weighted assets (1)
89.9 
93.3 
(4%)
128.5 
(30%)

nm = not meaningful

Notes:
(1)
Includes RBS Sempra Commodities JV (31 March 2012 third party assets, excluding derivatives (TPAs) nil, RWAs £1.0 billion, 31 December 2011 TPAs £0.1 billion, RWAs £2.4 billion, 31 March 2011 TPAs £3.9 billion, RWAs £1.6 billion).
(2)
Excludes disposal groups.


 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
       
Gross customer loans and advances
     
Banking and portfolios
70.8 
77.3 
98.0 
International businesses
1.9 
2.0 
2.9 
Markets
0.1 
0.1 
 
72.7 
79.4 
101.0 
Risk-weighted assets
     
Banking and portfolios
66.1 
64.8 
76.5 
International businesses
3.8 
4.1 
5.1 
Markets
20.0 
24.4 
46.9 
 
89.9 
93.3 
128.5 
Third party assets (excluding derivatives)
     
Banking and portfolios
73.2 
81.3 
105.4 
International businesses
2.7 
2.9 
3.8 
Markets
7.4 
9.5 
15.6 
 
83.3 
93.7 
124.8 

 
61

 

Non-Core (continued)

 
Third party assets (excluding derivatives)
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2012
 
31 December 
2011 
Run-off 
Disposals/ 
restructuring 
Drawings/ 
roll overs 
Impairments 
FX 
31 March 
2012 
 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn
               
Commercial real estate
31.5 
(1.5)
(0.4)
0.1 
(0.4)
(0.2)
29.1 
Corporate
42.2 
(0.8)
(1.1)
0.4 
(0.1)
(0.5)
40.1 
SME
2.1 
(0.3)
0.1 
1.9 
Retail
6.1 
(0.2)
(1.6)
(0.1)
4.2 
Other
1.9 
(1.2)
(0.1)
0.6 
Markets
9.8 
(0.2)
(2.1)
0.1 
(0.2)
7.4 
Total (excluding derivatives)
93.6 
(4.2)
(5.2)
0.7 
(0.5)
(1.1)
83.3 
Markets - RBS Sempra Commodities JV
0.1 
(0.1)
Total (1)
93.7 
(4.3)
(5.2)
0.7 
(0.5)
(1.1)
83.3 

Quarter ended 31 December 2011
 
30 September 
2011 
Run-off 
Disposals/ 
restructuring 
Drawings/ 
roll overs 
Impairments 
FX 
31 December 
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 

Note:
(1)
Disposals of £5 billion have been signed as at 31 March 2012 but are pending completion (31 December 2011 - £0.2 billion; 31 March 2011 - £7 billion).

 
62

 
 
Non-Core (continued)

 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Impairment losses by donating division and sector
     
       
UK Retail
     
Mortgages
Personal
(28)
(3)
Total UK Retail
(28)
       
UK Corporate
     
Manufacturing and infrastructure
26 
-
Property and construction
55 
83 
13 
Transport
(2)
20 
Financial institutions
Lombard
10 
20 
18 
Other
21 
11 
Total UK Corporate
77 
157 
65 
       
Ulster Bank
     
Commercial real estate
     
  - investment
84 
151 
223 
  - development
142 
77 
503 
Other corporate
34 
15 
107 
Other EMEA
Total Ulster Bank
264 
245 
839 
       
US Retail & Commercial
     
Auto and consumer
25 
Cards
(7)
SBO/home equity
18 
33 
53 
Residential mortgages
Commercial real estate
(3)
14 
19 
Commercial and other
(4)
(3)
Total US Retail & Commercial
28 
64 
91 
       
International Banking
     
Manufacturing and infrastructure
42 
(2)
Property and construction
86 
241 
105 
Transport
13 
10 
(6)
Telecoms, media and technology
16 
18 
(11)
Banking and financial institutions
(12)
(31)
Other
29 
(8)
Total International Banking
118 
309 
79 
       
Other
     
Wealth
(1)
Central items
       
Total Other
Total impairment losses
489 
751 
1,075 

 
63

 

Non-Core (continued)


 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
       
Gross loans and advances to customers (excluding reverse repurchase agreements) by donating division and sector
     
       
UK Retail
     
Mortgages
1.4 
1.6 
Personal
0.1 
0.1 
0.3 
Total UK Retail
0.1 
1.5 
1.9 
       
UK Corporate
     
Manufacturing and infrastructure
0.1 
0.1 
0.2 
Property and construction
4.8 
5.9 
8.0 
Transport
4.3 
4.5 
5.1 
Financial institutions
0.6 
0.6 
0.8 
Lombard
0.9 
1.0 
1.5 
Other
7.0 
7.5 
7.5 
Total UK Corporate
17.7 
19.6 
23.1 
       
Ulster Bank
     
Commercial real estate
     
  - investment
3.7 
3.9 
3.9 
  - development
8.0 
8.5 
8.9 
Other corporate
1.7 
1.6 
2.0 
Other EMEA
0.4 
0.4 
0.5 
Total Ulster Bank
13.8 
14.4 
15.3 
       
US Retail & Commercial
     
Auto and consumer
0.8 
0.8 
2.4 
Cards
0.1 
0.1 
0.1 
SBO/home equity
2.4 
2.5 
2.9 
Residential mortgages
0.5 
0.6 
0.7 
Commercial real estate
0.9 
1.0 
1.4 
Commercial and other
0.4 
0.4 
Total US Retail & Commercial
4.7 
5.4 
7.9 
       
International Banking
     
Manufacturing and infrastructure
5.8 
6.6 
8.9 
Property and construction
15.4 
15.3 
19.1 
Transport
2.4 
3.2 
4.5 
Telecoms, media and technology
0.7 
0.7 
1.1 
Banking and financial institutions
5.7 
5.6 
11.1 
Other
6.4 
7.0 
8.4 
Total International Banking
36.4 
38.4 
53.1 
       
Other
     
Wealth
0.2 
0.2 
0.4 
Direct Line Group
0.1 
Central items
(0.3)
(0.2)
(1.0)
       
Total Other
(0.1)
(0.5)
Gross loans and advances to customers (excluding reverse repurchase agreements)
72.6 
79.3 
100.8 

 
64

 

Non-Core (continued)

 
 
Key points
Non-Core has maintained momentum from 2011 and delivered further reductions in third party assets, impairments and costs during Q1 2012.

Third party assets fell to £83 billion in the first quarter, a reduction of £11 billion driven principally by disposals of £5 billion and run-off of £4 billion. The division has also signed, but not yet completed, a further £5 billion of disposals, including the sale of RBS Aviation Capital.

The division continues to focus upon reducing exposures to current and future capital intensive positions. Risk-weighted assets decreased by £3 billion resulting from foreign exchange and mark-to-market movements of £4 billion, sales and run-off of £2 billion and market risk movements of £2 billion, largely offset by higher operational risk RWAs, up £4 billion. Restructuring and disposal activity also reduced Non-Core deductions to the capital base by £0.8 billion in Q1 2012.

An operating loss of £483 million in Q1 2012 was £799 million lower than Q4 2011. Income increased as the losses associated with restructuring monoline exposures and valuation movements on equity positions in Q4 2011 were not repeated. In addition, trading income increased as a result of tightening spreads and favourable market conditions. Impairments declined by £262 million which reflected improvements across the portfolio in general, although Ulster Bank charges remain elevated.
 
Q1 2012 compared with Q4 2011
·
The lower operating loss of £483 million reflected improvements in income, costs and impairments.
   
·
Trading losses decreased by £137 million, principally reflecting lower losses resulting from restructuring activity focussed on reducing capital intensive positions. Trading revenues also improved, as prices rallied and spreads tightened. Other income of £225 million was £376 million favourable to Q4 2011 due to positive equity valuation movements as well as gains on disposal of £182 million compared with losses of £36 million in Q4 2011.
   
·
Third party assets fell by £11 billion to £83 billion in Q1 2012 principally reflecting disposals of £5 billion and run-off of £4 billion.

Q1 2012 compared with Q1 2011
·
Third party assets of £83 billion were £42 billion lower than Q1 2011 principally reflecting disposals of £22 billion and run-off of £19 billion.
   
·
Risk-weighted assets decreased by £39 billion between Q1 2011 and Q1 2012. The decrease principally reflects the restructuring of monoline exposures in 2011 which totalled £15 billion, and sales and run-off of £14 billion. A further £9 billion reduction was due to market risk reductions as a result of de-risking activities. These were partially offset by an increase in operational risk RWAs.
   
·
The Q1 2012 operating loss of £483 million was £608 million favourable to Q1 2011 principally due to lower impairments incurred in relation to the Ulster Bank portfolio and reduced costs due to the ongoing run-down of the division, partially offset by lower revenues relate to the reduction of the balance sheet.
   
·
Since Q1 2011 headcount has reduced by approximately 2,400, 36%, reflecting business and country exits and run-down, specifically in India, China, RBS Sempra Commodities and Non-Core Insurance.
 
 
65

 
 
Condensed consolidated income statement
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012

 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Interest receivable
5,017 
5,234 
5,401 
Interest payable
(2,018)
(2,160)
(2,100)
       
Net interest income
2,999 
3,074 
3,301 
       
Fees and commissions receivable
1,487 
1,590 
1,642 
Fees and commissions payable
(290)
(573)
(260)
Income from trading activities
212 
(238)
835 
Gain/(loss) on redemption of own debt
577 
(1)
Other operating income (excluding insurance net premium income)
(747)
205 
391 
Insurance net premium income
938 
981 
1,149 
       
Non-interest income
2,177 
1,964 
3,757 
       
Total income
5,176 
5,038 
7,058 
       
Staff costs
(2,570)
(1,993)
(2,399)
Premises and equipment
(563)
(674)
(571)
Other administrative expenses
(1,016)
(1,296)
(921)
Depreciation and amortisation
(468)
(513)
(424)
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets
(91)
       
Operating expenses
(4,617)
(4,567)
(4,315)
       
Profit before insurance net claims and impairment losses
559 
471 
2,743 
Insurance net claims
(649)
(529)
(912)
Impairment losses
(1,314)
(1,918)
(1,947)
       
Operating loss before tax
(1,404)
(1,976)
(116)
Tax (charge)/credit
(139)
186 
(423)
       
Loss from continuing operations
(1,543)
(1,790)
(539)
Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax
10 
10 
       
Loss for the period
(1,538)
(1,780)
(529)
Non-controlling interests
14 
(18)
       
Loss attributable to ordinary and B shareholders
(1,524)
(1,798)
(528)
       
Basic loss per ordinary and B share from continuing operations
(1.4p)
(1.7p)
(0.5p)
       
Diluted loss per ordinary and B share from continuing operations
(1.4p)
(1.7p)
(0.5p)
       
Basic loss per ordinary and B share from discontinued operations
       
Diluted loss per ordinary and B share from discontinued operations
 
 
66

 

 
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 


 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Loss for the period
(1,538)
(1,780)
(529)
       
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
     
Available-for-sale financial assets
525 
(107)
(37)
Cash flow hedges
33 
124 
(227)
Currency translation
(554)
(117)
(360)
Actuarial losses on defined benefit plans
(581)
       
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before tax
(681)
(624)
Tax (charge)/credit
(19)
(500)
32 
       
Other comprehensive loss after tax
(15)
(1,181)
(592)
       
Total comprehensive loss for the period
(1,553)
(2,961)
(1,121)
       
Total comprehensive loss is attributable to:
     
Non-controlling interests
(3)
(12)
(9)
Ordinary and B shareholders
(1,550)
(2,949)
(1,112)
       
 
(1,553)
(2,961)
(1,121)

Key points
·
The movement in available-for-sale financial assets reflects net unrealised gains on sovereign bonds.
   
·
Currency translation losses largely result from the 3.4% weakening of the US dollar against sterling during the quarter.
   
·
The tax charge for Q4 2011 included a £664 million write-off of deferred tax assets in The Netherlands associated with available-for-sale assets in the liquidity portfolio.
 
 
67

 

 
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
at 31 March 2012 


 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
     
Assets
   
Cash and balances at central banks
82,363 
79,269 
Net loans and advances to banks
36,064 
43,870 
Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing
34,626 
39,440 
Loans and advances to banks
70,690 
83,310 
Net loans and advances to customers
440,406 
454,112 
Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing
56,503 
61,494 
Loans and advances to customers
496,909 
515,606 
Debt securities
195,931 
209,080 
Equity shares
17,603 
15,183 
Settlement balances
20,970 
7,771 
Derivatives
453,354 
529,618 
Intangible assets
14,771 
14,858 
Property, plant and equipment
11,442 
11,868 
Deferred tax
3,849 
3,878 
Prepayments, accrued income and other assets
10,079 
10,976 
Assets of disposal groups
25,060 
25,450 
     
Total assets
1,403,021 
1,506,867 
     
Liabilities
   
Bank deposits
65,735 
69,113 
Repurchase agreements and stock lending
41,415 
39,691 
Deposits by banks
107,150 
108,804 
Customer deposits
410,207 
414,143 
Repurchase agreements and stock lending
87,303 
88,812 
Customer accounts
497,510 
502,955 
Debt securities in issue
142,943 
162,621 
Settlement balances
17,597 
7,477 
Short positions
37,322 
41,039 
Derivatives
446,534 
523,983 
Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities
20,278 
23,125 
Retirement benefit liabilities
1,840 
2,239 
Deferred tax
1,788 
1,945 
Insurance liabilities
6,251 
6,312 
Subordinated liabilities
25,513 
26,319 
Liabilities of disposal groups
23,664 
23,995 
     
Total liabilities
1,328,390 
1,430,814 
     
Equity
   
Non-controlling interests
1,215 
1,234 
Owners’ equity*
   
  Called up share capital
15,397 
15,318 
  Reserves
58,019 
59,501 
     
Total equity
74,631 
76,053 
     
Total liabilities and equity
1,403,021 
1,506,867 
     
* Owners’ equity attributable to:
   
Ordinary and B shareholders
68,672 
70,075 
Other equity owners
4,744 
4,744 
     
 
73,416 
74,819 

 
68

 

Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet 


Total assets of £1,403.0 billion at 31 March 2012 were down £103.8 billion, 7%, compared with 31 December 2011. This was principally driven by a decrease in the mark-to-market value of derivatives and a reduction in loans and advances to banks and customers.

Cash and balances at central banks increased £3.1 billion, 4%, to £82.4 billion principally due to the placing of short term surpluses.

Loans and advances to banks decreased £12.6 billion, 15%, to £70.7 billion. Within this, reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing (‘reverse repos’) were down £4.8 billion, 12%, to £34.6 billion and bank placings declined £7.8 billion, 18%, to £36.1 billion.

Loans and advances to customers declined £18.7 billion, 4%, to £496.9 billion. Within this, reverse repurchase agreements were down £5.0 billion, 8%, to £56.5 billion. Customer lending decreased by £13.7 billion, 3%, to £440.4 billion, or £13.4 billion, 3%, to £460.5 billion before impairments. This reflected planned reductions in Non-Core of £6.1 billion, along with declines in International Banking, £4.0 billion, Markets, £2.3 billion, UK Corporate, £0.9 billion, and Ulster Bank, £0.1 billion, together with the effect of exchange rate and other movements, £2.9 billion. These were partially offset by growth in UK Retail, £1.8 billion, US Retail & Commercial, £1.0 billion and Wealth, £0.1 billion.

Debt securities were down £13.1 billion, 6%, to £195.9 billion, driven mainly by reductions in holdings of Government securities within Markets and Group Treasury.

Equity shares increased £2.4 billion, 16%, to £17.6 billion reflecting seasonal increases in holdings.

Settlement balances increased £13.2 billion to £21.0 billion as a result of increased customer activity from seasonal year-end lows.

Movements in the value of derivative assets, down £76.3 billion, 14%, to £453.4 billion, and liabilities, down £77.4 billion, 15% to £446.5 billion, primarily reflect the mark-to-market movements on interest rate contracts and the effect of currency movements, with Sterling strengthening against both the US dollar and the Euro.

Deposits by banks decreased £1.7 billion, 2%, to £107.1 billion, with a decrease in inter-bank deposits, down £3.4 billion, 5%, to £65.7 billion partly offset by higher repurchase agreements and stock lending (‘repos’), up £1.7 billion, 4%, to £41.4 billion.

Customer accounts were down £5.4 billion, 1%, to £497.5 billion. Within this, repos decreased £1.5 billion, 2%, to £87.3 billion. Excluding repos, customer deposits were down £3.9 billion, 1%, at £410.2 billion, reflecting decreases in Markets, £1.7 billion, UK Corporate, £1.8 billion, Ulster Bank, £0.7 billion, Non-Core, £0.6 billion and exchange and other movements, £2.5 billion. This was partly offset by increases in UK Retail, £2.4 billion, US Retail & Commercial, £0.6 billion, and International Banking, £0.4 billion.

 
69

 


Commentary on condensed consolidated balance sheet (continued) 


Debt securities in issue declined £19.7 billion, 12%, to £142.9 billion largely due to the maturity of government guaranteed medium term notes within Markets and Group Treasury.

Settlement balances increased £10.1 billion to £17.6 billion as a result of increased customer activity from seasonal year-end lows.

Short positions were down £3.7 billion, 9%, to £37.3 billion, mirroring decreases in debt securities.

Subordinated liabilities were down £0.8 billion, 3%, to £25.5 billion, primarily reflecting the £0.6 billion net decrease in dated loan capital as a result of the liability management exercise completed in March 2012, with redemptions of £3.4 billion offset by the issuance of £2.8 billion new capital, together with exchange rate movements and other adjustments of £0.2 billion.

Owners’ equity decreased by £1.4 billion, 2%, to £73.4 billion, due to the attributable loss for the period of £1.5 billion and exchange and other movements of £0.5 billion, partially offset by positive movements in available-for-sale reserves of £0.5 billion and the issue of £0.1 billion new ordinary shares in settlement of deferred variable compensation awards.

 
70

 

Average balance sheet 

 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
     
Average yields, spreads and margins of the banking business
   
Gross yield on interest-earning assets of banking business
3.15 
3.13 
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities of banking business
(1.62)
(1.70)
     
Interest spread of banking business
1.53 
1.43 
Benefit from interest-free funds
0.35 
0.41 
     
Net interest margin of banking business
1.88 
1.84 
     
     
Average interest rates
   
The Group's base rate
0.50 
0.50 
     
London inter-bank three month offered rates
   
  - Sterling
1.06 
0.99 
  - Eurodollar
0.51 
0.43 
  - Euro
0.97 
1.50 

 
71

 


Average balance sheet (continued) 


 
Quarter ended
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Average 
     
Average 
   
 
balance 
Interest 
Rate 
 
balance 
Interest 
Rate 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
               
Assets
             
Loans and advances to banks
87,025 
148 
0.68 
 
91,370 
207 
0.90 
Loans and advances to
  customers
443,414 
4,252 
3.86 
 
452,530 
4,336 
3.80 
Debt securities
110,219 
617 
2.25 
 
119,619 
691 
2.29 
               
Interest-earning assets -
  banking business
640,658 
5,017 
3.15 
 
663,519 
5,234 
3.13 
               
Trading business
251,081 
     
271,183 
   
Non-interest earning assets
633,995 
     
656,468 
   
               
Total assets
1,525,734 
     
1,591,170 
   
               
               
Liabilities
             
Deposits by banks
44,472 
191 
1.73 
 
60,397 
226 
1.48 
Customer accounts
327,442 
914 
1.12 
 
335,577 
926 
1.09 
Debt securities in issue
112,454 
698 
2.50 
 
128,701 
793 
2.44 
Subordinated liabilities
21,636 
190 
3.53 
 
22,906 
191 
3.31 
Internal funding of trading
  business
(6,432)
25 
(1.56)
 
(44,408)
24 
(0.21)
               
Interest-bearing liabilities -
  banking business
499,572 
2,018 
1.62 
 
503,173 
2,160 
1.70 
               
Trading business
262,047 
     
299,789 
   
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
             
  - demand deposits
72,370 
     
70,538 
   
  - other liabilities
617,945 
     
642,503 
   
Owners’ equity
73,800 
     
75,167 
   
               
Total liabilities and
  owners’ equity
1,525,734 
     
1,591,170 
   

Note:
(1)
Interest receivable and interest payable on trading assets and liabilities are included in income from trading activities.
 
 
72

 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 


 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Called-up share capital
     
At beginning of period
15,318 
15,318 
15,125 
Ordinary shares issued
79 
31 
       
At end of period
15,397 
15,318 
15,156 
       
Paid-in equity
     
At beginning and end of period
431 
431 
431 
       
       
Share premium account
     
At beginning of period
24,001 
23,923 
23,922 
Ordinary shares issued
26 
78 
       
At end of period
24,027 
24,001 
23,922 
       
Merger reserve
     
At beginning and end of period
13,222 
13,222 
13,272 
       
Available-for-sale reserve (1)
     
At beginning of period
(957)
(292)
(2,037)
Unrealised gains/(losses)
724 
(179)
162 
Realised (gains)/losses
(212)
69 
(197)
Tax
(555)
       
At end of period
(439)
(957)
(2,063)
       
Cash flow hedging reserve
     
At beginning of period
879 
798 
(140)
Amount recognised in equity
290 
389 
14 
Amount transferred from equity to earnings
(257)
(265)
(241)
Tax
(43)
53 
       
At end of period
921 
879 
(314)

Note:
(1)
Analysis provided on page 90.
 
 
73

 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 (continued) 


 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Foreign exchange reserve
     
At beginning of period
4,775 
4,847 
5,138 
Retranslation of net assets
(648)
(111)
(429)
Foreign currency gains on hedges of net assets
96 
20 
76 
Tax
13 
(31)
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of businesses
       
At end of period
4,227 
4,775 
4,754 
       
Capital redemption reserve
     
At beginning and end of period
198 
198 
198 
       
Contingent capital reserve
     
At beginning and end of period
(1,208)
(1,208)
(1,208)
       
Retained earnings
     
At beginning of period
18,929 
20,977 
21,239 
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary and B shareholders and other
  equity owners
     
  - continuing operations
(1,524)
(1,798)
(530)
  - discontinued operations
Actuarial losses recognised in retirement benefit schemes
     
  - gross
(581)
  - tax
(38)
86 
Shares issued under employee share schemes
(13)
151 
(41)
Share-based payments
     
  - gross
45 
98 
38 
  - tax
(4)
       
At end of period
17,405 
18,929 
20,713 
 
 
74

 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 (continued) 


 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Own shares held
     
At beginning of period
(769)
(771)
(808)
(Purchase)/disposal of own shares
(2)
12 
Shares issued under employee share schemes
11 
       
At end of period
(765)
(769)
(785)
       
Owners’ equity at end of period
73,416 
74,819 
74,076 
       
Non-controlling interests
     
At beginning of period
1,234 
1,433 
1,719 
Currency translation adjustments and other movements
(2)
(32)
(7)
(Loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interests
     
  - continuing operations
(20)
(9)
  - discontinued operations
10 
Dividends paid
(1)
Movements in available-for-sale securities
     
  - unrealised (losses)/gains
(4)
  - realised losses
17 
(3)
  - tax
(1)
Equity withdrawn and disposals
(16)
(186)
       
At end of period
1,215 
1,234 
1,710 
       
Total equity at end of period
74,631 
76,053 
75,786 
       
Total comprehensive loss recognised in the statement of
  changes in equity is attributable to:
     
Non-controlling interests
(3)
(12)
(9)
Ordinary and B shareholders
(1,550)
(2,949)
(1,112)
       
 
(1,553)
(2,961)
(1,121)

 
75

 

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 Form 6-K for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 has 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). There have been no significant changes to the Group’s principal accounting policies as set out on pages 273 to 282 of the 2011 Form 20-F.

 
76

 

Notes (continued)

 
3. Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Loans and advances to customers
4,252 
4,336 
4,593 
Loans and advances to banks
148 
207 
172 
Debt securities
617 
691 
636 
       
Interest receivable
5,017 
5,234 
5,401 
       
Customer accounts
914 
926 
831 
Deposits by banks
191 
226 
259 
Debt securities in issue
698 
794 
817 
Subordinated liabilities
190 
190 
185 
Internal funding of trading businesses
25 
24 
       
Interest payable
2,018 
2,160 
2,100 
       
Net interest income
2,999 
3,074 
3,301 
       
Fees and commissions receivable
1,487 
1,590 
1,642 
Fees and commissions payable
     
  - banking
(179)
(339)
(181)
  - insurance related
(111)
(234)
(79)
       
Net fees and commissions
1,197 
1,017 
1,382 
       
Foreign exchange
225 
308 
203 
Interest rate
672 
76 
649 
Credit
(799)
(695)
(248)
Other
114 
73 
231 
       
Income/(loss) from trading activities
212 
(238)
835 
       
Gain on redemption of own debt
577 
(1)
       
Operating lease and other rental income
301 
308 
322 
Own credit adjustments
(1,447)
(200)
(294)
Changes in the fair value of securities and other financial assets and liabilities
81 
68 
Changes in the fair value of investment properties
32 
(65)
(25)
Profit on sale of securities
223 
179 
236 
Profit/(loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment
(5)
11 
Loss on sale of subsidiaries and associates
(12)
(15)
(29)
Life business losses
(2)
(2)
Dividend income
16 
15 
15 
Share of (losses)/profits less losses of associated entities
(4)
Other income/(loss)
60 
(24)
82 
       
Other operating (loss)/income
(747)
205 
391 

 
77

 

Notes (continued)


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

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Non-interest income (excluding insurance net premium income)
1,239 
983 
2,608 
Insurance net premium income
938 
981 
1,149 
       
Total non-interest income
2,177 
1,964 
3,757 
       
Total income
5,176 
5,038 
7,058 
       
Staff costs
2,570 
1,993 
2,399 
Premises and equipment
563 
674 
571 
Other
1,016 
1,296 
921 
       
Administrative expenses
4,149 
3,963 
3,891 
Depreciation and amortisation
468 
513 
424 
Write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets
91 
       
Operating expenses
4,617 
4,567 
4,315 
       
Loan impairment losses
1,295 
1,654 
1,898 
Securities impairment losses
     
  - sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments
224 
  - other
19 
40 
49 
       
Impairment losses
1,314 
1,918 
1,947 

Payment Protection Insurance (PPI)
To reflect current experience of PPI complaints received, the Group has strengthened its provision for PPI by £125 million in Q1 2012, bringing the cumulative charge taken to £1.2 billion, of which £501 million in redress had been paid by 31 March 2012. The eventual cost is dependent upon complaint volumes, uphold rates and average redress costs. Assumptions relating to these are inherently uncertain and the ultimate financial impact may be different than the amount provided. The Group will continue to monitor the position closely and refresh its assumptions as more information becomes available.

 
Quarter 
ended 
31 March 
2012 
Year 
ended 
31 December 
 2011 
 
£m 
£m 
     
At beginning of period
745 
Transfers from accruals and other liabilities
215 
Charge to income statement
125 
850 
Utilisations
(181)
(320)
     
At end of period
689 
745 
 
 
78

 

Notes (continued)


4. Loan impairment provisions
Operating loss is stated after charging loan impairment losses of £1,295 million (Q4 2011 - £1,654 million; Q1 2011 - £1,898 million). The balance sheet loan impairment provisions increased in the quarter ended 31 March 2012 from £19,883 million to £20,211 million and the movements thereon were:

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
31 March 2011
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
RFS 
MI 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                         
At beginning of period
8,414 
11,469 
19,883 
 
8,873 
11,850 
20,723 
 
7,866 
10,316 
18,182 
Transfers to disposal
  groups
 
(773)
(773)
 
(9)
(9)
Intra-group transfers
 
 
177 
(177)
Currency translation and
  other adjustments
(8)
(80)
(88)
 
(75)
(162)
(237)
 
56 
95 
151 
Disposals
 
(3)
(3)
 
Amounts written-off
(405)
(440)
(845)
 
(526)
(981)
(1,507)
 
(514)
(438)
(952)
Recoveries of amounts
  previously written-off
62 
33 
95 
 
48 
99 
147 
 
39 
80 
119 
Charge to income
  statement
                       
  - continuing
796 
499 
1,295 
 
924 
730 
1,654 
 
852 
1,046 
1,898 
  - discontinued
 
 
Unwind of discount
  (recognised in interest
  income)
(62)
(67)
(129)
 
(57)
(67)
(124)
 
(60)
(71)
(131)
                         
At end of period
8,797 
11,414 
20,211 
 
8,414 
11,469 
19,883 
 
8,416 
10,842 
19,258 

Provisions at 31 March 2012 include £135 million (31 December 2011 - £123 million; 31 March 2011 - £130 million) in respect of loans and advances to banks.

The table above excludes impairments relating to securities (see page 109).
 
 
79

 
 
Notes (continued)


5. Tax
The actual tax (charge)/credit differs from the expected tax credit computed by applying the standard UK corporation tax rate of 24.5% (2011 - 26.5%) as follows:

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Loss before tax
(1,404)
(1,976)
(116)
       
Expected tax credit
344 
524 
31 
Sovereign debt impairment where no deferred tax asset recognised
(56)
Derecognition of deferred tax asset in respect of losses in Australia
(161)
Other losses in period where no deferred tax asset recognised
(173)
(195)
(166)
Foreign profits taxed at other rates
(102)
(46)
(200)
UK tax rate change - deferred tax impact
(30)
27 
(87)
Unrecognised timing differences
Non-deductible goodwill impairment
(24)
Items not allowed for tax
     
  - losses on strategic disposals and write-downs
(4)
(58)
(3)
  - UK bank levy
(18)
(80)
  - employee share schemes
(15)
(101)
(4)
  - other disallowable items
(51)
(123)
(36)
Non-taxable items
     
  - gain on sale of Global Merchant Services
12 
  - other non-taxable items
24 
208 
12 
Taxable foreign exchange movements
Losses brought forward and utilised
15 
(29)
16 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
31 
137 
(5)
       
Actual tax (charge)/credit
(139)
186 
(423)

The tax charge in the quarter ended 31 March 2012 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 derecognition of deferred tax assets of £161 million in respect of losses in Australia, following the strategic changes to the Markets and International Banking businesses announced in January 2012.
 
The combined effect of the tax losses in Ireland and the Netherlands in the quarter ended 31 March 2012 for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised and the derecognition of the deferred tax asset in respect of losses in Australia account for £387 million (80%) 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 Group has recognised a deferred tax asset at 31 March 2012 of £3,849 million (31 December 2011 - £3,878 million; 31 March 2011 - £6,299 million) of which £3,134 million (31 December 2011 - £2,933 million; 31 March 2011 - £3,770 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 Group has considered the carrying value of this asset as at 31 March 2012 and concluded that it is recoverable based on future profit projections.

 
80

 

Notes (continued)


6. (Loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interests

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
RBS Sempra Commodities JV
(5)
(9)
RFS Holdings BV Consortium Members
(19)
10 
Other
15 
(2)
       
(Loss)/profit attributable to non-controlling interests
(14)
18 
(1)

7. Dividends
On 26 November 2009, RBS entered into a State Aid Commitment Deed with HM Treasury containing commitments and undertakings that were designed to ensure that HM Treasury was able to comply with the commitments to be given by it to the European Commission for the purposes of obtaining approval for the State aid provided to RBS. As part of these commitments and undertakings, RBS agreed not to pay discretionary coupons and dividends on its existing hybrid capital instruments for a period of two years. This period commenced on 30 April 2010 for RBS Group instruments (the two year deferral period for RBS Holdings N.V. instruments commenced on 1 April 2011). On 30 April 2012 this period ended for RBS Group instruments. RBS has determined that it is now in a position to recommence payments on the RBS Group instruments.

The Core Tier 1 capital impact of discretionary amounts that will be payable over the remainder of 2012 on the RBS Group instruments on which payments have previously been stopped is c.£350 million. In the context of recent macro-prudential policy discussions, the Board of RBS has decided to neutralise any impact on Core Tier 1 capital through equity issuance. Approximately £250 million of this is ascribed to equity funding of employee incentive awards through the sale of surplus shares held by the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust, which is now substantially complete. An additional c.£100 million will be raised through the issue of new ordinary shares, which is expected to take place over time during the second half of 2012.

The Directors have declared the discretionary dividends on Series M, N, P, Q, R, S, and T non-cumulative dollar preference shares of US$0.01 each for the three months to 30 June 2012, and the discretionary dividend on the Series 2 non-cumulative Euro preference shares of €0.01 for the 12 months to 30 June 2012. These discretionary dividends as well as the discretionary distributions on the RBSG/RBS innovative securities RBS Capital Trust A, RBS Capital Trust B, RBS Capital Trust D, RBS Capital Trust I, RBS Capital Trust II and RBS Capital Trust IV will be paid on their scheduled payment dates in June 2012. Future coupons and dividends on RBS Group hybrid capital instruments will only be paid subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of the relevant instruments.

 
81

 

Notes (continued)


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

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
       
Earnings
     
Loss from continuing operations attributable to ordinary and
  B shareholders (£m)
(1,524)
(1,798)
(530)
       
Profit from discontinued operations attributable to ordinary and
  B shareholders (£m)
       
Ordinary shares in issue during the period (millions)
57,704 
57,552 
56,798 
B shares in issue during the period (millions)
51,000 
51,000 
51,000 
       
Weighted average number of ordinary and B shares in issue during
  the period (millions)
108,704 
108,552 
107,798 
       
Basic loss per ordinary and B share from continuing operations
(1.4p)
(1.7p)
(0.5p)
 
 
82

 
 
Notes (continued)


9. Segmental analysis
In January 2012, the Group announced the reorganisation of its wholesale businesses into 'Markets' and 'International Banking'. Divisional results have been presented based on the new organisational structure. In addition, the Group had previously included movements in the fair value of own derivative liabilities within the Markets operating segment. These movements have now been combined with movements in the fair value of own debt in a single measure, ‘own credit adjustments’ and presented as a reconciling item. Refer to ‘presentation of information’ on page 5 for further details. Comparatives have been restated accordingly.

Analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss)
The following tables provide an analysis of divisional operating profit/(loss) for the quarters ended 31 March 2012, 31 December 2011 and 31 March 2011 by main income statement captions.

 
Net 
interest 
 income 
Non- 
interest 
 income 
 
Total 
 income 
 
Operating 
 expenses 
 Insurance 
net claims 
 
Impairment 
 losses 
 
Operating 
 profit/(loss)
Quarter ended 31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
UK Retail
1,001 
266 
1,267 
(635)
(155)
477 
UK Corporate
756 
445 
1,201 
(533)
(176)
492 
Wealth
179 
111 
290 
(235)
(10)
45 
International Banking
251 
291 
542 
(410)
(35)
97 
Ulster Bank
165 
49 
214 
(130)
(394)
(310)
US Retail & Commercial
496 
260 
756 
(635)
(19)
102 
Markets
16 
1,718 
1,734 
(908)
(2)
824 
Direct Line Group
84 
882 
966 
(233)
(649)
84 
Central items
(5)
(103)
(108)
(2)
(34)
(144)
               
Core
2,943 
3,919 
6,862 
(3,721)
(649)
(825)
1,667 
Non-Core
64 
205 
269 
(263)
(489)
(483)
               
Managed basis
3,007 
4,124 
7,131 
(3,984)
(649)
(1,314)
1,184 
Reconciling items
             
Own credit adjustments (1)
(2,456)
(2,456)
(2,456)
Asset Protection Scheme (2)
(43)
(43)
(43)
PPI costs
(125)
(125)
Amortisation of purchased intangible
  assets
(48)
(48)
Integration and restructuring costs
(460)
(460)
Gain on redemption of own debt
577 
577 
577 
Strategic disposals
(8)
(8)
(8)
RFS Holdings minority interest
(8)
(17)
(25)
(25)
               
Statutory basis
2,999 
2,177 
5,176 
(4,617)
(649)
(1,314)
(1,404)

Notes:
(1)
Comprises £1,009 million loss included in ‘Income from trading activities’ and £1,447 million loss included in ‘Other operating income’ on a statutory basis.
(2)
Included in ‘Income from trading activities’.
 
 
83

 
 
Notes (continued)


9. Segmental analysis (continued)

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

 
Net 
interest 
 income 
Non- 
interest 
 income 
 
Total 
 income 
 
Operating 
 expenses 
 Insurance 
net claims 
 
Impairment 
 losses 
 
Operating 
 profit/(loss)
Quarter ended 31 December 2011
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
UK Retail
1,032 
277 
1,309 
(660)
(191)
458 
UK Corporate
758 
419 
1,177 
(535)
(236)
406 
Wealth
168 
112 
280 
(194)
(13)
73 
International Banking
281 
312 
593 
(385)
(56)
152 
Ulster Bank
177 
49 
226 
(132)
(327)
(233)
US Retail & Commercial
496 
294 
790 
(548)
(65)
177 
Markets)
20 
672 
692 
(744)
(57)
(109)
Direct Line Group
82 
841 
923 
(209)
(589)
125 
Central items
(37)
46 
77 
(1)
89 
               
Core
2,977 
3,022 
5,999 
(3,330)
(590)
(941)
1,138 
Non-Core
99 
(377)
(278)
(314)
61 
(751)
(1,282)
               
Managed basis
3,076 
2,645 
5,721 
(3,644)
(529)
(1,692)
(144)
Reconciling items
             
Own credit adjustments (1)
(472)
(472)
(472)
Asset Protection Scheme (2)
(209)
(209)
(209)
Sovereign debt impairment
(224)
(224)
Amortisation of purchased intangible
  assets
(53)
(53)
Integration and restructuring costs
(478)
(478)
Loss 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)
(1)
(2)
(2)
               
Statutory basis
3,074 
1,964 
5,038 
(4,567)
(529)
(1,918)
(1,976)

Notes:
(1)
Comprises £272 million loss included in ‘Income from trading activities’ and £200 million loss included in ‘Other operating income’ on a statutory basis.
(2)
Included in ‘Income from trading activities’.
 
 
84

 
 
Notes (continued)


9. Segmental analysis (continued)

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

 
Net 
interest 
 income 
Non- 
interest 
 income 
 
Total 
 income 
 
Operating 
 expenses 
 Insurance 
net claims 
 
Impairment 
 losses 
 
Operating 
 profit/(loss)
Quarter ended 31 March 2011
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
UK Retail
1,086 
304 
1,390 
(678)
(194)
518 
UK Corporate
811 
451 
1,262 
(538)
(107)
617 
Wealth
157 
114 
271 
(196)
(5)
70 
International Banking
293 
354 
647 
(427)
226 
Ulster Bank
181 
51 
232 
(136)
(461)
(365)
US Retail & Commercial
452 
275 
727 
(522)
(111)
94 
Markets
53 
2,055 
2,108 
(1,079)
1,029 
Direct Line Group
88 
982 
1,070 
(219)
(784)
67 
Central items
(18)
(11)
(29)
(3)
(32)
               
Core
3,103 
4,575 
7,678 
(3,798)
(784)
(872)
2,224 
Non-Core
199 
236 
435 
(323)
(128)
(1,075)
(1,091)
               
Managed basis
3,302 
4,811 
8,113 
(4,121)
(912)
(1,947)
1,133 
Reconciling items
             
Own credit adjustments (1)
(560)
(560)
(560)
Asset Protection Scheme (2)
(469)
(469)
(469)
Amortisation of purchased
  intangible assets
(44)
(44)
Integration and restructuring costs
(2)
(4)
(6)
(139)
(145)
Strategic disposals
(23)
(23)
(23)
Bonus tax
(11)
(11)
RFS Holdings minority interest
               
Statutory basis
3,301 
3,757 
7,058 
(4,315)
(912)
(1,947)
(116)

Notes:
(1)
Comprises £266 million loss included in ‘Income from trading activities’ and £294 million loss included in ‘Other operating income’ on a statutory basis.
(2)
Included in ‘Income from trading activities’ on a statutory basis.

 
85

 

Notes (continued)


10. Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups

Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
31 March 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Discontinued operations
     
Total income
15 
Operating expenses
(1)
(1)
(1)
Impairment losses
(3)
       
Profit before tax
11 
Tax
(3)
(1)
(3)
       
Profit after tax
10 
       
Businesses acquired exclusively with a view to disposal
     
Profit after tax
       
Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax
10 
10 

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.

 
86

 

Notes (continued)


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

 
31 March 2012
31 December 
2011 
£m 
 
UK branch- 
based 
businesses 
Other 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
         
Assets of disposal groups
       
Cash and balances at central banks
63 
24 
87 
127 
Loans and advances to banks
112 
112 
87 
Loans and advances to customers
18,535 
729 
19,264 
19,405 
Debt securities and equity shares
Derivatives
360 
368 
439 
Intangible assets
15 
15 
15 
Settlement balances
14 
Property, plant and equipment
113 
4,496 
4,609 
4,749 
Other assets
438 
438 
456 
         
Discontinued operations and other disposal groups
19,071 
5,831 
24,902 
25,297 
Assets acquired exclusively with a view to disposal
158 
158 
153 
         
 
19,071 
5,989 
25,060 
25,450 
         
Liabilities of disposal groups
       
Deposits by banks
83 
83 
Customer accounts
21,447 
834 
22,281 
22,610 
Derivatives
41 
49 
126 
Settlement balances
Other liabilities
1,239 
1,239 
1,233 
         
Discontinued operations and other disposal groups
21,488 
2,164 
23,652 
23,978 
Liabilities acquired exclusively with a view to disposal
12 
12 
17 
         
 
21,488 
2,176 
23,664 
23,995 

The assets and liabilities of disposal groups at 31 March 2012 primarily comprise the RBS England and Wales and NatWest Scotland branch-based businesses (“UK branch-based businesses”) and the RBS Aviation Capital business.

UK branch-based businesses
Loans, REIL and impairment provisions at 31 March 2012 relating to the Group's UK branch-based businesses are set out below.

 
Gross loans 
REIL 
Impairment 
 provisions 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
       
Residential mortgages
5,716 
184 
32 
Personal lending
1,751 
333 
287 
Property
4,042 
453 
136 
Construction
585 
171 
55 
Service industries and business activities
4,226 
318 
159 
Other
2,995 
51 
32 
Latent
79 
       
Total
19,315 
 1,510 
780 
 
 
87

 
 
Notes (continued)


11. 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.

Credit valuation adjustments and other adjustments
Credit valuation adjustments (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 following table shows credit valuation adjustments and other reserves.

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
     
CVA
   
  Monoline insurers
991 
1,198 
  Credit derivative product companies (CDPCs)
624 
1,034 
  Other counterparties
2,014 
2,254 
     
 
3,629 
4,486 
Bid-offer, liquidity and other reserves
2,228 
2,704 
     
 
5,857 
7,190 

Key points
·
The gross exposure to monolines reduced in the quarter from £1.9 billion to £1.6 billion primarily due to an increase in underlying asset prices. The CVA decreased on a total basis reflecting the lower exposure, and also on a relative basis (from 63% to 60%) primarily due to tighter credit spreads.
   
·
The exposure to CDPCs has decreased in Q1 2012 from £1.9 billion to £1.1 billion. This was primarily driven by tighter credit spreads of the underlying reference instruments, together with a decrease in the relative value of senior tranches compared with the underlying reference portfolios. Whilst the CVA decreased in line with the exposure, it increased marginally (from 55% to 56%) on a relative basis.
   
·
The CVA held against exposures to other counterparties decreased in the quarter, principally reflecting credit spreads tightening.
   
·
Bid-offer reserves decreased due to risk reduction and the impact of Greek government debt restructuring. Other reserves were also lower across a range of businesses and products.

 
88

 

Notes (continued)

11. Valuation reserves (continued)

Own credit
The following table shows the cumulative own credit adjustment recorded on securities classified as fair value through profit or loss and derivative liabilities.
 
 
 
 
Debt securities in issue (2)
  Subordinated liabilities
DFV £m
     
Cumulative own credit adjustment (1)
HFT
£m
DFV
£m
Total
£m
Total
£m
Derivatives
£m
Total (3)
£m
               
31 March 2012
91 
1,207 
1,298 
520 
1,818 
466 
2,284 
31 December 2011
882 
2,647 
3,529 
679 
4,208 
602 
4,810 
               
Carrying values of underlying liabilities
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
   
               
31 March 2012
10.7 
33.3 
44.0 
1.0 
45.0 
   
31 December 2011
11.5 
35.7 
47.2 
0.9 
48.1 
   

Notes:
(1)
The own credit adjustment for fair value does not alter cash flows and is not used for performance management. It is disregarded for regulatory capital reporting processes 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.

Key points
·
Own credit adjustment decreased significantly during the quarter reflecting tightening of credit spreads across all tenors.
   
·
Senior issued debt valuation adjustments are determined with reference to secondary debt issuance spreads. At 31 March 2012, the five year level tightened to 265 basis points from 451 basis points at the year end.
   
·
Derivative liability own credit adjustment decreased as credit spreads tightened, for example the five year level was 299 basis points compared with 337 basis points at 31 December 2011.
 
 
89

 
 
Notes (continued)


12. Available-for-sale financial assets
The Q1 2012 movement in available-for-sale financial assets primarily reflects net unrealised gains on securities of £724 million, largely as yields tightened on sovereign bonds.

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2011 
Available-for-sale reserve
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
         
At beginning of period
(957)
(292)
 
(2,037)
Unrealised losses on Greek sovereign debt
(224)
 
Impairment of Greek sovereign debt
224 
 
Other unrealised net gains
724 
45 
 
162 
Realised net gains
(212)
(155)
 
(197)
Tax
(555)
*
         
At end of period
(439)
(957)
 
(2,063)

* The Q4 2011 tax charge included a £664 million write-off of deferred tax assets in The Netherlands.

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 £224 million were recorded in Q4 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 March 2012.

13. Contingent liabilities and commitments

 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
Contingent liabilities
             
Guarantees and assets pledged as
  collateral security
22,660 
921 
23,581 
 
23,702 
1,330 
25,032 
Other contingent liabilities
11,582 
223 
11,805 
 
10,667 
245 
10,912 
               
 
34,242 
1,144 
35,386 
 
34,369 
1,575 
35,944 
               
Commitments
             
Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit
  lines and other commitments to lend
225,237 
11,575 
236,812 
 
227,419 
12,544 
239,963 
Other commitments
666 
1,919 
2,585 
 
301 
2,611 
2,912 
               
 
225,903 
13,494 
239,397 
 
227,720 
15,155 
242,875 
               
Total contingent liabilities and
  commitments
260,145 
14,638 
274,783 
 
262,089 
16,730 
278,819 

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.
 
 
90

 
 
Notes (continued)


14. Litigation, investigations, reviews and proceedings
Except for the developments noted below, there have been no material changes to the litigation and investigations, reviews and proceedings as disclosed in the Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2011.

Litigation
RBS Citizens N.A. and its affiliates were among more than thirty banks named as defendants in US class action lawsuits alleging that the way in which banks posted transactions to consumer accounts caused customers to incur excessive overdraft fees. The complaints against Citizens, which concerned the period between 2002 and 2010, alleged that this conduct violated its duty of good faith and fair dealing, and was unconscionable, an unfair trade practice and a conversion of customers' funds. Citizens has agreed to settle this case for $137.5 million. A notice of settlement has been filed with the court, which requests that all proceedings in the case be stayed. If the settlement is given final approval by the court, consumers who do not opt out of the settlement will be deemed to have released any claims related to the allegations in the lawsuits.

Investigations, reviews and proceedings
On 26 March 2012, the FSA published a Final Notice, having reached a settlement with Coutts & Co under which Coutts agreed to pay a fine of £8.75 million. This follows an investigation by the FSA into Coutts & Co’s anti-money laundering (AML) systems and controls in relation to high risk clients. The fine relates to activity undertaken between December 2007 and November 2010.

Coutts has cooperated fully and openly with the FSA throughout the investigation. Coutts accepts the findings contained in the FSA's Final Notice regarding certain failures to meet the relevant regulatory standards between December 2007 and November 2010. Coutts has found no evidence that money laundering took place during that time.

Since concerns were first identified by the FSA, Coutts & Co has enhanced its client relationship management process which included a review of its AML procedures, and is confident in its current processes and procedures.

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. With respect to the latter inquiry, in March 2012, the SEC communicated to the Group that it had completed its investigation and that it did not, as of the date of that communication and based upon the information then in its possession, intend to recommend any enforcement action against RBS.

The Group continues to respond to investigations by various authorities into its submissions, communications and procedures relating to 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. 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, including the timing and effect of any resolution of these investigations.

 
91

 

Notes (continued)


15. 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 The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. (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.

It is expected that the Proposed Transfers will be implemented on a phased basis over a period ending 31 December 2013. The transfer of substantially all of the UK business was completed during Q4 2011. A large part of the remainder of Proposed Transfers is expected to have taken place by the end of 2012.

On 26 March 2012, the Boards of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, RBS plc, RBS Holdings N.V., RBS N.V. and RBS II B.V. announced that (1) RBS N.V. (as the demerging company) and RBS II B.V. (as the acquiring company) filed a proposal with the Dutch Trade Register for a legal demerger and (2) following a preliminary hearing at the Court of Session in Scotland, RBS plc and RBS II B.V. made filings with Companies House in the UK and the Dutch Trade Register respectively for a proposed cross-border merger of RBS II B.V. into RBS plc (“the Dutch Scheme”).

Upon implementation of these proposals, a substantial part of the business conducted by RBS N.V. in the Netherlands as well as in certain EMEA branches of RBS N.V. will be transferred to RBS plc. Implementation will be by the demerger of the transferring businesses into RBS II B.V. by way of a Dutch statutory demerger followed by the merger of RBS II B.V. into RBS plc through a cross-border merger. RBS plc and RBS N.V. have discussed the transfer in detail with De Nederlandsche Bank and the Financial Services Authority.

Implementation is subject, amongst other matters, to regulatory and court approvals. Subject to these matters, it is expected that the Dutch Scheme will take effect on 9 July 2012.

Rating agencies
On 15 February 2012, Moody’s placed the ratings of 114 European banks and 17 firms with global capital markets activities on review for possible downgrade. Included in the rating reviews were the ratings of RBS and certain subsidiaries. Moody’s’ long term ratings of RBS Group plc (A3), RBS plc (A2), NatWest (A2), RBS N.V. (A2), Ulster Bank Ltd (Baa1) and Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd (Baa1) are on review for possible downgrade; along with the short-term P-1 ratings of RBS plc, NatWest and RBS N.V. The short-term ratings of RBS Group plc, Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd and Ulster Bank Ltd were affirmed at P-2. Moody’s cite three reasons for their reviews across all of the affected firms; (i) the adverse and prolonged impact of the euro area crisis; (ii) the deteriorating creditworthiness of euro, area sovereigns; and (iii) the substantial challenges faced by banks and securities firms with significant capital market activities.
 
 
92

 
 
Notes (continued)


15. Other developments (continued)
Following their ratings announcement on 15 February 2012, on 22 February 2012 Moody’s also placed on review for possible downgrade selected ratings of North American bank subsidiaries of European banks. Included in these rating actions were the long-term (A2) and short-term (P-1) ratings of RBS Citizens, NA and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.

During the quarter, no material rating actions have been undertaken on the Group and RBS plc by the rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings.

16. Post balance sheet events
There have been no significant events between 31 March 2012 and the date of approval of this announcement which would require a change to or additional disclosure in the announcement.

 
93

 

Risk and balance sheet management


Balance sheet management

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

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) by risk
£bn 
£bn 
     
Credit risk
332.9 
344.3 
Counterparty risk
56.8 
61.9 
Market risk
61.0 
64.0 
Operational risk
45.8 
37.9 
     
 
496.5 
508.1 
Asset Protection Scheme (APS) relief
(62.2)
(69.1)
     
 
434.3 
439.0 

Risk asset ratios
     
Core Tier 1
10.8 
10.6 
Tier 1
13.2 
13.0 
Total
14.0 
13.8 


Key points
·
RWAs excluding the effect of APS relief fell by £11.6 billion, largely reflecting the impact of large corporate portfolio deleveraging on credit risk RWAs in UK Corporate and International Banking and continued risk reduction in Non-Core.
   
·
The decreases in counterparty risk (£5.1 billion) and market risk (£3.0 billion) RWAs were primarily in the Markets portfolios in Core and Non-Core.
   
·
Operational risk RWAs, which are based on Group income for the three prior years, increased by £7.9 billion as 2008, when the Group recorded a substantial reduction in income, dropped out of the calculation.
   
·
APS RWA relief declined by £6.9 billion, principally reflecting the £11.0 billion decrease in covered assets to £120.8 billion at 31 March 2012, mainly due to maturities, repayments and run-off.
   
·
The Core Tier 1 APS benefit declined marginally from 90bp to 85bp at 31 March 2012.

 
94

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Capital (continued)
The Group’s regulatory capital resources in accordance with FSA definitions were as follows:

 
31 March 
2012 
£m 
31 December 
2011 
£m 
     
Shareholders’ equity (excluding non-controlling interests)
   
Shareholders’ equity per balance sheet
73,416 
74,819 
Preference shares - equity
(4,313)
(4,313)
Other equity instruments
(431)
(431)
 
68,672 
70,075 
     
Non-controlling interests
   
Non-controlling interests per balance sheet
1,215 
1,234 
Non-controlling preference shares
(548)
(548)
Other adjustments to non-controlling interests for regulatory purposes
(259)
(259)
 
408 
427 
     
Regulatory adjustments and deductions
   
Own credit
(845)
(2,634)
Unrealised losses on AFS debt securities
547 
1,065 
Unrealised gains on AFS equity shares
(108)
(108)
Cash flow hedging reserve
(921)
(879)
Other adjustments for regulatory purposes
630 
571 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
(14,771)
(14,858)
50% excess of expected losses over impairment provisions (net of tax)
(2,791)
(2,536)
50% of securitisation positions
(1,530)
(2,019)
50% of APS first loss
(2,489)
(2,763)
 
(22,278)
(24,161)
     
Core Tier 1 capital
46,802 
46,341 
     
Other Tier 1 capital
   
Preference shares - equity
4,313 
4,313 
Preference shares - debt
1,064 
1,094 
Innovative/hybrid Tier 1 securities
4,557 
4,667 
 
9,934 
10,074 
     
Tier 1 deductions
   
50% of material holdings
(300)
(340)
Tax on excess of expected losses over impairment provisions
906 
915 
 
606 
575 
     
Total Tier 1 capital
57,342 
56,990 

 
95

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Capital (continued)

 
31 March 
2012 
£m 
31 December 
2011 
£m 
     
Qualifying Tier 2 capital
   
Undated subordinated debt
1,817 
1,838 
Dated subordinated debt - net of amortisation
13,561 
14,527 
Unrealised gains on AFS equity shares
108 
108 
Collectively assessed impairment provisions
571 
635 
Non-controlling Tier 2 capital
11 
11 
 
16,068 
17,119 
     
Tier 2 deductions
   
50% of securitisation positions
(1,530)
(2,019)
50% excess of expected losses over impairment provisions
(3,697)
(3,451)
50% of material holdings
(300)
(340)
50% of APS first loss
(2,489)
(2,763)
 
(8,016)
(8,573)
     
Total Tier 2 capital
8,052 
8,546 
     
Supervisory deductions
   
Unconsolidated investments
   
  - Direct Line Group
(4,130)
(4,354)
  - Other investments
(248)
(239)
Other deductions
(212)
(235)
 
(4,590)
(4,828)
     
Total regulatory capital
60,804 
60,708 

Movement in Core Tier 1 capital
31 March 
2012 
£m 
   
At beginning of the quarter
46,341 
Attributable profit net of movements in fair value of own debt
265 
Foreign currency reserves
(548)
Decrease in non-controlling interests
(19)
Decrease in capital deductions including APS first loss
508 
Decrease in goodwill and other intangible assets
87 
Other movements
168 
   
At end of the quarter
46,802 

 
96

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Capital: Risk-weighted assets by division
Risk-weighted assets by risk category and division are set out below.

 
Credit 
risk 
Counterparty 
risk 
Market 
risk 
Operational 
risk 
Gross 
RWAs 
31 March 2012
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
           
UK Retail
40.4 
7.8 
48.2 
UK Corporate
68.3 
8.6 
76.9 
Wealth
10.9 
0.1 
1.9 
12.9 
International Banking
37.0 
4.8 
41.8 
Ulster Bank
35.9 
0.7 
0.1 
1.7 
38.4 
US Retail & Commercial
52.8 
0.9 
4.9 
58.6 
           
Retail & Commercial
245.3 
1.6 
0.2 
29.7 
276.8 
Markets
15.0 
36.5 
48.4 
15.7 
115.6 
Other
9.0 
0.2 
1.8 
11.0 
           
Core
269.3 
38.3 
48.6 
47.2 
403.4 
Non-Core
60.6 
18.5 
12.4 
(1.6)
89.9 
           
Group before RFS Holdings MI
329.9 
56.8 
61.0 
45.6 
493.3 
RFS Holdings MI
3.0 
0.2 
3.2 
           
Group
332.9 
56.8 
61.0 
45.8 
496.5 
APS relief
(53.9)
(8.3)
(62.2)
           
Net RWAs
279.0 
48.5 
61.0 
45.8 
434.3 
           
31 December 2011
         
           
UK Retail
41.1 
7.3 
48.4 
UK Corporate
71.2 
8.1 
79.3 
Wealth
10.9 
0.1 
1.9 
12.9 
International Banking
38.9 
4.3 
43.2 
Ulster Bank
33.6 
0.6 
0.3 
1.8 
36.3 
US Retail & Commercial
53.6 
1.0 
4.7 
59.3 
           
Retail & Commercial
249.3 
1.6 
0.4 
28.1 
279.4 
Markets
16.7 
39.9 
50.6 
13.1 
120.3 
Other
9.8 
0.2 
2.0 
12.0 
           
Core
275.8 
41.7 
51.0 
43.2 
411.7 
Non-Core
65.6 
20.2 
13.0 
(5.5)
93.3 
           
Group before RFS Holdings MI
341.4 
61.9 
64.0 
37.7 
505.0 
RFS Holdings MI
2.9 
0.2 
3.1 
           
Group
344.3 
61.9 
64.0 
37.9 
508.1 
APS relief
(59.6)
(9.5)
(69.1)
           
Net RWAs
284.7 
52.4 
64.0 
37.9 
439.0 

 
97

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk

Summary
The Group continued to strengthen and de-risk its balance sheet, the benefits of which are reflected in improvements in its strong liquidity and funding metrics.

·
Short-term wholesale funding excluding derivative collateral declined by £22.7 billion to £79.7 billion, 8% of the funded balance sheet, meeting the Group’s medium-term target of less than 10%.
   
·
In light of continued economic uncertainty, the Group has taken a prudent view and maintained a liquidity portfolio of £152.7 billion which is nearly twice short-term wholesale funding. This includes £69.5 billion of central bank cash balances, more than 2.5 times the Group’s outstanding commercial paper and certificates of deposit.
   
·
UK Retail deposits, both current and savings accounts, grew strongly, up 2% in Q1 2012. This growth was offset by a seasonal drop-off in deposits across other divisions. As a result, Group customer deposits decreased by 1%.
   
·
The Group loan:deposit ratio improved due to deleveraging and stood at 106% at 31 March 2012 compared with 108% at 31 December 2011 and 116% at 31 March 2011.

Funding sources
The table below shows the Group’s primary funding sources including deposits in disposal groups and excluding repurchase agreements.
 
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
£m 
 
£m 
           
Deposits by banks
         
  - derivative cash collateral
29,390 
4.4 
 
31,807 
4.6 
  - other deposits
36,428 
5.5 
 
37,307 
5.3 
           
 
65,818 
9.9 
 
69,114 
9.9 
           
Debt securities in issue
         
  - conduit asset backed commercial paper (ABCP)
9,354 
1.4 
 
11,164 
1.6 
  - other commercial paper (CP)
3,253 
0.5 
 
5,310 
0.8 
  - certificates of deposit (CDs)
14,575 
2.2 
 
16,367 
2.4 
  - medium-term notes (MTNs)
90,674 
13.6 
 
105,709 
15.2 
  - covered bonds
10,107 
1.5 
 
9,107 
1.3 
  - securitisations
14,980 
2.2 
 
14,964 
2.1 
           
 
142,943 
21.4 
 
162,621 
23.4 
Subordinated liabilities
25,513 
3.9 
 
26,319 
3.8 
           
Notes issued
168,456 
25.3 
 
188,940 
27.2 
           
Wholesale funding
234,274 
35.2 
 
258,054 
37.1 
           
Customer deposits
         
  - cash collateral
8,829 
1.3 
 
9,242 
1.4 
  - other deposits
423,659 
63.5 
 
427,511 
61.5 
           
Total customer deposits
432,488 
64.8 
 
436,753 
62.9 
           
Total funding
666,762 
100.0 
 
694,807 
100.0 
           
Disposal group deposits included above
         
  - banks
83 
   
 
  - customers
22,281 
   
22,610 
 
           
 
22,364 
   
22,611 
 
 
 
98

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


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

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
Short-term wholesale funding (STWF) (1)
£bn 
£bn 
     
Bank deposits
32.7 
32.9 
Notes issued (2)
47.0 
69.5 
     
STWF excluding derivative collateral
79.7 
102.4 
Derivative collateral
29.4 
31.8 
     
STWF including derivative collateral
109.1 
134.2 
     
Interbank funding excluding derivative collateral (3)
   
  - bank deposits
36.4 
37.3 
  - bank loans
(19.7)
(24.3)
     
Net interbank funding
16.7 
13.0 

Notes:
(1)
Short-term balances denote those with a residual maturity of less than one year and includes longer-term instruments that mature within twelve months of the reporting date.
(2)
See page 100 for details.
(3)
Deposits and loans include all maturities.

Key points
·
Short-term wholesale funding excluding derivative collateral declined by £22.7 billion from £102.4 billion to £79.7 billion, primarily due to the maturity of £15.6 billion of notes issued under the UK Government Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS). The remaining CGS notes of £5.7 billion will be repaid by May 2012.
   
·
Commercial paper and certificates of deposit declined by £5.7 billion in the quarter and this trend is expected to continue in light of the Group’s funding strategy.
   
·
The Group continues to actively diversify its wholesale funding sources through access to both the secured and unsecured wholesale debt markets. During the quarter, the Group raised £2.3 billion of net term wholesale funding. It is not anticipated that there will be any further need to access the public debt markets for term wholesale funding during the remainder of 2012 due to the continuing deleveraging of the Group's balance sheet, growth in deposit balances and robust liquidity and funding position. The Group will continue to monitor market conditions and may selectively take advantage of opportunities in order to bring forward any future term wholesale funding refinancing needs where such issuance would improve the Group’s overall wholesale funding costs.
   
·
To further diversify its funding sources, the Group issued its first sterling denominated covered bond of £1 billion with a 12 year maturity and a US$1.2 billion credit card securitisation.
   
·
The Group accessed €10 billion from the European Central Bank’s long-term refinancing operation facility to extend the term of the facilities funding euro denominated assets.

 
99

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk: Funding sources (continued)
The table below shows the Group’s debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities by remaining maturity.
 
Debt securities in issue
     
 
Conduit 
ABCP 
Other 
CP and 
CDs 
MTNs 
Covered 
bonds 
Securitisations 
Total 
Subordinated 
liabilities 
Total 
notes 
issued 
Total 
notes 
issued 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                   
31 March 2012
                 
Less than 1 year
9,354 
17,532 
19,686 
22 
46,594 
454 
47,048 
28 
1-3 years
290 
30,795 
2,787 
1,231 
35,103 
4,693 
39,796 
24 
3-5 years
16,416 
3,666 
20,083 
4,998 
25,081 
15 
More than 5 years
23,777 
3,654 
13,727 
41,163 
15,368 
56,531 
33 
                   
 
9,354 
17,828 
90,674 
10,107 
14,980 
142,943 
25,513 
168,456 
100 
                   
31 December 2011
                 
Less than 1 year
11,164 
21,396 
36,302 
27 
68,889 
624 
69,513 
37 
1-3 years
278 
26,595 
2,760 
479 
30,112 
3,338 
33,450 
18 
3-5 years
16,627 
3,673 
20,302 
7,232 
27,534 
14 
More than 5 years
26,185 
2,674 
14,458 
43,318 
15,125 
58,443 
31 
                   
 
11,164 
21,677 
105,709 
9,107 
14,964 
162,621 
26,319 
188,940 
100 

Term debt issuances
The table below shows debt securities with an original maturity of one year or more issued by the Group during the last two quarters.

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
     
Public
   
  - secured
1,784 
3,223 
Private
   
  - unsecured
1,676 
911 
  - secured
500 
     
Gross issuance
3,460 
4,634 
Buybacks
(1,129)
(1,270)
     
Net issuance
2,331 
3,364 

In addition, the Group issued £2.8 billion of new ten year lower tier 2 securities as part of a liability management exercise.
 
 
100

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

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 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Quarterly 
average 
Period end 
 
Quarterly 
average 
Period end 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
           
Cash and balances at central banks
91,287 
69,489 
 
89,377 
69,932 
Treasury bills
 
444 
Central and local government bonds (1)
         
  - AAA rated governments and US agencies
19,085 
29,639 
 
30,421 
29,632 
  - AA- to AA+ rated governments (2)
8,924 
14,903 
 
5,056 
14,102 
  - governments rated below AA
797 
544 
 
1,011 
955 
  - local government
3,980 
2,933 
 
4,517 
4,302 
           
 
32,786 
48,019 
 
41,005 
48,991 
Other assets (3)
         
  - AAA rated
26,435 
24,243 
 
25,083 
25,202 
  - below AAA rated and other high quality assets
9,194 
10,972 
 
11,400 
11,205 
           
 
35,629 
35,215 
 
36,483 
36,407 
           
Total liquidity portfolio
159,702 
152,723 
 
167,309 
155,330 

Notes:
(1)
Includes FSA eligible government bonds of £30.5 billion at 31 March 2012 (31 December 2011 - £36.7 billion).
(2)
Includes AAA rated US government guaranteed and US government sponsored agencies.
(3)
Includes assets eligible for discounting at central banks.

Key points
·
The liquidity portfolio has consistently covered STWF by a wide margin. The £152.7 billion liquidity portfolio equates to 16% of the funded balance sheet and covers STWF by 1.9 times.
   
·
The cash and balances at central banks of £69.5 billion are more than 2.5 times the amount of commercial paper and certificates of deposit outstanding at 31 March 2012.

 
101

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)

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

 
Loan:deposit ratio
 
Customer 
funding gap 
 
Group 
Core 
 
Group 
 
 
£bn 
         
31 March 2012
106 
93 
 
27 
31 December 2011
108 
94 
 
37 
30 September 2011
112 
95 
 
52 
30 June 2011
114 
96 
 
60 
31 March 2011
116 
96 
 
67 

Note:
(1)
Loans are net of provisions and exclude repurchase agreements.

Key points
·
The Group’s loan:deposit ratio improved by 2% to 106% in the first quarter, driven by the continuing run-off of Non-Core and accelerated deleveraging in International Banking. It improved 10 percentage points from 116% in Q1 2011.
   
·
The Core loan:deposit ratio improved 100 basis points to 93%.

 
102

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Balance sheet management: Liquidity and funding risk (continued)
Net stable funding ratio
The table below shows the Group’s net stable funding ratio (NSFR), which represents a non-GAAP measure as described on page 4, estimated by applying the Basel III guidance issued in December 2010.
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
   
   
ASF (1)
   
ASF (1)
 
Weighting 
 
£bn 
£bn 
 
£bn 
£bn 
 
               
Equity
75 
75 
 
76 
76 
 
100 
Wholesale funding > 1 year
125 
125 
 
124 
124 
 
100 
Wholesale funding < 1 year
109 
 
134 
 
Derivatives
447 
 
524 
 
Repurchase agreements
129 
 
129 
 
Deposits
             
  - Retail and SME - more stable
230 
207 
 
227 
204 
 
90 
  - Retail and SME - less stable
30 
24 
 
31 
25 
 
80 
  - Other
173 
87 
 
179 
89 
 
50 
Other (2)
85 
 
83 
 
               
Total liabilities and equity
1,403 
518 
 
1,507 
518 
   
               
Cash
82 
 
79 
 
Inter-bank lending
36 
 
44 
 
Debt securities > 1 year
             
  - central and local governments AAA to AA-
70 
 
77 
 
  - other eligible bonds
64 
13 
 
73 
15 
 
20 
  - other bonds
20 
20 
 
14 
14 
 
100 
Debt securities < 1 year
42 
 
45 
 
Derivatives
453 
 
530 
 
Reverse repurchase agreements
91 
 
101 
 
Customer loans and advances > 1 year
             
  - residential mortgages
145 
94 
 
145 
94 
 
65 
  - other
167 
167 
 
173 
173 
 
100 
Customer loans and advances < 1 year
             
  - retail loans
19 
16 
 
19 
16 
 
85 
  - other
129 
65 
 
137 
69 
 
50 
Other (3)
85 
85 
 
70 
70 
 
100 
               
Total assets
1,403 
463 
 
1,507 
455 
   
Undrawn commitments
237 
12 
 
240 
12 
 
               
Total assets and undrawn commitments
1,640 
475 
 
1,747 
467 
   
               
Net stable funding ratio
 
109%
   
111% 
   

Notes:
(1)
Available stable funding.
(2)
Deferred tax, insurance liabilities and other liabilities.
(3)
Prepayments, accrued income, deferred tax, settlement balances and other assets.

Key points
·
The NSFR remained broadly stable at 109% despite an £8 billion increase in term assets.
   
·
Equity and long-term wholesale funding remained unchanged in the quarter resulting in available stable funding being maintained at £518 billion.
   
·
Term assets increased by £8 billion in the quarter reflecting an increase in the seasonal settlement balances (£16 billion) and higher ineligible debt securities (£6 billion) due to some eurozone country downgrades. This was partially offset by reductions in both customer loans and advances (£10 billion) and eligible debt securities (£3 billion).

 
103

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


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 including disposal groups are also presented. Non-Core includes amounts relating to RFS MI of £0.5 billion at 31 March 2012 (31 December 2011 - £0.4 billion).

 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
Central and local government
8,577 
1,397 
9,974 
 
8,359 
1,383 
9,742 
Finance
42,035 
3,442 
45,477 
 
46,452 
3,229 
49,681 
Residential mortgages
139,784 
3,438 
143,222 
 
138,509 
5,102 
143,611 
Personal lending
31,209 
1,297 
32,506 
 
31,067 
1,556 
32,623 
Property
38,355 
36,346 
74,701 
 
38,704 
38,064 
76,768 
Construction
6,065 
2,434 
8,499 
 
6,781 
2,672 
9,453 
Manufacturing
22,587 
4,207 
26,794 
 
23,201 
4,931 
28,132 
Service industries and business activities
             
  - retail, wholesale and repairs
20,528 
1,981 
22,509 
 
21,314 
2,339 
23,653 
  - transport and storage
15,760 
4,525 
20,285 
 
16,454 
5,477 
21,931 
  - health, education and recreation
13,294 
1,304 
14,598 
 
13,273 
1,419 
14,692 
  - hotels and restaurants
7,072 
1,013 
8,085 
 
7,143 
1,161 
8,304 
  - utilities
6,355 
1,777 
8,132 
 
6,543 
1,849 
8,392 
  - other
23,660 
3,663 
27,323 
 
24,228 
3,772 
28,000 
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
3,497 
83 
3,580 
 
3,471 
129 
3,600 
Finance leases and instalment credit
8,534 
5,596 
14,130 
 
8,440 
6,059 
14,499 
Interest accruals
551 
116 
667 
 
675 
116 
791 
               
Gross loans
387,863 
72,619 
460,482 
 
394,614 
79,258 
473,872 
Loan impairment provisions
(8,663)
(11,413)
(20,076)
 
(8,292)
(11,468)
(19,760)
               
Net loans
379,200 
61,206 
440,406 
 
386,322 
67,790 
454,112 
               
Gross loans including disposal groups
407,178 
73,364 
480,542 
 
414,063 
80,005 
494,068 
Loan impairment provisions including disposal groups
(9,443)
(11,429)
(20,872)
 
(9,065)
(11,486)
(20,551)
               
Net loans including disposal groups
397,735 
61,935 
459,670 
 
404,998 
68,519 
473,517 

Key points
·
Gross loans and advances excluding disposal groups decreased by £13.4 billion primarily driven by the managed run-off of Non-Core, which contracted by 8%. Other than UK Retail, lending declined in all Core businesses, most notably International Banking and Markets, reflecting both management action and weak customer demand.
   
·
Despite a challenging environment, UK Retail lending to customers was up £1.8 billion as the business continues to focus on building its franchise.
   
·
In International Banking, the portfolio loan book decreased by £4.7 billion across various sectors, reflecting capital management discipline and accelerated repayments.
   
·
Markets’ lending decreased by £2.6 billion, mainly to non-bank financial institutions reflecting lower collateral requirements.
   
·
Property and construction lending decreased by £3.0 billion, principally due to Non-Core run-off and disposals.
 

 
 
104

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

 

Risk management: Credit risk: Risk elements in lending
The table below analyses the Group’s risk elements in lending (REIL). REIL are stated without giving effect to any security held which could reduce the eventual loss should it occur, nor any provision marked.

 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
Impaired loans (1)
15,007 
23,023 
38,030 
 
15,306 
23,441 
38,747 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more (2)
1,323 
447 
1,770 
 
1,556 
542 
2,098 
               
Total REIL
16,330 
23,470 
39,800 
 
16,862 
23,983 
40,845 
               
REIL including disposal groups
   
41,330 
     
42,394 
               
REIL as a % of gross loans and advances (3)
4.3% 
32.2% 
8.6% 
 
4.4% 
30.1% 
8.6% 
Provisions as a % of REIL
54% 
49% 
51% 
 
50% 
48% 
49% 

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
·
Whilst overall Group REIL remained relatively stable at 8.6% of gross loans, provision coverage increased to 51% from 49%.
   
·
Core REIL declined marginally and provision coverage increased to 54% from 50% which included increased coverage in Ulster Bank to 53% from 50%.
   
·
The increase in Non-Core’s REIL to gross loans ratio to 32.2% from 30.1% reflects a contraction in gross loans (8%), due to the continuing progress in managing down the Non-Core portfolio.


 
105

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

Risk management: Credit risk: Risk elements in lending (continued)
The table below details the movements in REIL for the quarter ended 31 March 2012.

 
Impaired loans
 
Other loans (1)
 
REIL
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                       
At 1 January 2012
15,306 
23,441 
38,747 
 
1,556 
542 
2,098 
 
16,862 
23,983 
40,845 
Currency translation and
  other adjustments
(31)
(136)
(167)
 
10 
(6)
 
(21)
(142)
(163)
Additions
1,627 
981 
2,608 
 
637 
74 
711 
 
2,264 
1,055 
3,319 
Transfers
(92)
17 
(75)
 
(10)
(22)
(32)
 
(102)
(5)
(107)
Disposals and restructurings
(597)
(123)
(720)
 
(93)
(6)
(99)
 
(690)
(129)
(819)
Repayments
(801)
(717)
(1,518)
 
(777)
(135)
(912)
 
(1,578)
(852)
(2,430)
Amounts written-off
(405)
(440)
(845)
 
 
(405)
(440)
(845)
                       
At 31 March 2012
15,007 
23,023 
38,030 
 
1,323 
447 
1,770 
 
16,330 
23,470 
39,800 

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

Key points
·
REIL decreased by £1 billion, or 3% in the quarter, split equally between Core and Non-Core. Transfers to the performing book and disposals (£0.8 billion), debt repayments (£2.4 billion) and write-offs (£0.8 billion) were partially offset by additions (£3.3 billion).
   
·
Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core) REIL increased by £0.4 billion largely reflecting the challenging market conditions.


 
106

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

Risk management: Credit risk: Loans, REIL and impairments by division
The table below analyses loans and advances to banks and customers (excluding reverse repos) and related REIL, provisions, impairments, write-offs and coverage ratios by division.

 
Gross 
loans 
to banks 
Gross 
loans to 
customers 
REIL 
Provisions 
REIL as a 
% of gross 
loans to 
customers 
Provisions 
as a % 
of REIL 
Impairment 
charge 
Amounts 
written-off 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                 
UK Retail
942 
105,196 
4,120 
2,364 
3.9 
57 
155 
155 
UK Corporate
926 
97,702 
3,929 
1,698 
4.0 
43 
176 
98 
Wealth
2,028 
16,967 
228 
87 
1.3 
38 
10 
International Banking
4,045 
53,060 
873 
845 
1.6 
97 
35 
31 
Ulster Bank
1,555 
33,932 
5,874 
3,101 
17.3 
53 
394 
14 
US Retail & Commercial
185 
50,949 
910 
391 
1.8 
43 
16 
87 
                 
Retail & Commercial
9,681 
357,806 
15,934 
8,486 
4.5 
53 
786 
388 
Markets
21,963 
28,848 
396 
311 
1.4 
79 
10 
17 
Direct Line Group and other
4,129 
1,209 
-  
 - 
                 
Core
35,773 
387,863 
16,330 
8,797 
4.2 
54 
796 
405 
Non-Core
426 
72,619 
23,470 
11,414 
32.3 
49 
499 
440 
                 
Group
36,199 
460,482 
39,800 
20,211 
8.6 
51 
1,295 
845 
                 
Total including disposal groups
36,311 
480,542 
41,330 
21,007 
8.6 
51 
1,295 
845 
                 
31 December 2011
               
                 
UK Retail
628 
103,377 
4,087 
2,344 
4.0 
57 
191 
165 
UK Corporate
806 
98,563 
3,988 
1,623 
4.0 
41 
236 
156 
Wealth
2,422 
16,913 
211 
81 
1.2 
38 
13 
International Banking
3,411 
57,728 
1,632 
851 
2.8 
52 
56 
20 
Ulster Bank
2,079 
34,052 
5,523 
2,749 
16.2 
50 
327 
61 
US Retail & Commercial
208 
51,562 
1,007 
455 
2.0 
45 
53 
105 
                 
Retail & Commercial
9,554 
362,195 
16,448 
8,103 
4.5 
49 
876 
510 
Markets
29,991 
31,490 
414 
311 
1.3 
75 
48 
16 
Direct Line Group and other
3,829 
929 
                 
Core
43,374 
394,614 
16,862 
8,414 
4.3 
50 
924 
526 
Non-Core
619 
79,258 
23,983 
11,469 
30.3 
48 
730 
981 
                 
Group
43,993 
473,872 
40,845 
19,883 
8.6 
49 
1,654 
1,507 
                 
Total including disposal groups
44,080 
494,068 
42,394 
20,674 
8.6 
49 
1,654 
1,507 
                 
31 March 2011
               
                 
UK Retail
448 
110,045 
4,641 
2,652 
4.2 
57 
194 
274 
UK Corporate
101 
114,840 
4,618 
1,929 
4.0 
42 
107 
107 
Wealth
2,200 
16,475 
214 
64 
1.3 
30 
International Banking
3,822 
63,320 
1,531 
802 
2.4 
52 
(6)
19 
Ulster Bank
2,689 
37,167 
4,638 
2,111 
12.5 
46 
461 
11 
US Retail & Commercial
186 
46,960 
972 
499 
2.1 
51 
84 
96 
                 
Retail & Commercial
9,446 
388,807 
16,614 
8,057 
4.3 
48 
845 
512 
Markets
46,931 
22,473 
404 
359 
1.8 
89 
Direct Line Group and other
2,057 
1,217 
                 
Core
58,434 
412,497 
17,018 
8,416 
4.1 
49 
852 
514 
Non-Core
999 
100,779 
24,023 
10,842 
23.8 
45 
1,046 
438 
                 
Group
59,433 
513,276 
41,041 
19,258 
8.0 
47 
1,898 
952 
                 
Total including disposal groups
60,046 
516,886 
41,087 
19,289 
7.9 
47 
1,898 
952 
 

 
 
107

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

Risk management: Credit risk: Loan impairment provisions

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

 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non-Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
               
Individually assessed
2,829 
9,998 
12,827 
 
2,674 
9,960 
12,634 
Collectively assessed
4,543 
792 
5,335 
 
4,279 
861 
5,140 
Latent loss
1,291 
623 
1,914 
 
1,339 
647 
1,986 
               
Loans to customers
8,663 
11,413 
20,076 
 
8,292 
11,468 
19,760 
Loans to banks
134 
135 
 
122 
123 
               
Total provisions
8,797 
11,414 
20,211 
 
8,414 
11,469 
19,883 
               
Provisions as a % of REIL
54% 
49% 
51% 
 
50% 
48% 
49% 
Customer provisions as a % of customer loans (1)
2.3% 
15.7% 
4.4% 
 
2.2% 
14.4% 
4.2% 

Note:
(1)
Includes disposal groups and excludes reverse repos.

Key points
·
Group customer provisions remained relatively stable, although coverage of loans increased from 4.2% to 4.4%.
   
·
Impairment provisions increased by £0.3 billion in the quarter predominately in Ulster Bank Core  where continued elevated impairment charges on mortgages more than offset write-offs.
   
·
Non-Core provisions remained at 2011 year end levels, with Ulster Bank contributing approximately 60% of the total, provision coverage increased to 15.7% from 14.4%.


 
108

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

Risk management: Credit risk: Impairment charge
The table below analyses the impairment charge for loans and securities.

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
31 March 2011
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
RFS MI 
Total 
 
Core 
Non- 
Core 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                         
Individually assessed
294 
451 
745 
 
533 
720 
1,253 
 
384 
901 
1,285 
Collectively assessed
530 
65 
595 
 
478 
113 
591 
 
584 
136 
720 
Latent loss
(40)
(17)
(57)
 
(87)
(103)
(190)
 
(116)
(107)
                         
Loans to customers
784 
499 
1,283 
 
924 
730 
1,654 
 
852 
1,046 
1,898 
Loans to banks
12 
12 
 
 
Securities - sovereign debt (1)
 
224 
224 
 
  - other
29 
(10)
19 
 
17 
21 
40 
 
20 
29 
49 
                         
Charge to income statement
825 
489 
1,314 
 
1,165 
751 
1,918 
 
872 
1,075 
1,947 
                         
Charge as a % of gross loans (2)
0.8% 
2.7% 
1.1% 
 
0.9% 
3.7% 
1.3% 
 
0.8%
4.0%
1.5% 

Notes:
(1)
Sovereign debt impairment and related interest rate hedge adjustments.
(2)
Customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of gross customer loans including disposal groups and excluding reverse repurchase agreements.

Key points
·
Group loan impairment losses of £1.3 billion fell by £0.4 billion or 22%, driven by lower individual charges in Non-Core and improvement across Retail & Commercial businesses, with the exception of Ulster Bank. Ulster Bank continues to face challenging credit conditions.
   
·
Total Ulster Bank Group impairments were £0.7 billion compared with £0.6 billion in Q4 2011, primarily due to further deterioration in asset quality in the Core residential mortgage portfolio.
   
·
The Group’s customer loan impairment charge as a percentage of customer loans and advances was 1.1% compared with 1.3% in Q4 2011 and 1.5% in Q1 2011.
   
·
In Q1 2012, as part of private sector involvement in the Greek government bail-out, the vast majority of the Group’s available-for-sale portfolio of Greek government debt was exchanged for Greek government debt and European Financial Stability Facility notes. The Greek government debt received in the exchange was sold. During April 2012, the remaining Greek government debt that had not been exchanged in Q1 2012 was exchanged and the bonds received were also sold.

For more details on Ulster Bank (Core and Non-Core) loans, REIL, provisions and related coverage ratios, refer to pages 113 and 114.

 
109

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

Risk management: Credit risk: Debt securities
The table below analyses debt securities by issuer and measurement classification.

 
Central and local government
 
  Other 
financial  institutions 
     
 
UK 
US 
Other 
Banks 
Corporate 
Total 
Of which 
ABS 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                 
Held-for-trading
6,855 
17,079 
37,552 
2,986 
24,726 
3,052 
92,250 
22,422 
Designated as at fair value
132 
97 
581 
818 
556 
Available-for-sale
11,871 
20,547 
20,012 
12,214 
30,509 
2,228 
97,381 
38,759 
Loans and receivables
10 
368 
4,638 
462 
5,482 
4,630 
                 
Long positions
18,737 
37,626 
57,700 
15,665 
60,454 
5,749 
195,931 
66,367 
                 
- Of which US agencies
4,778 
27,221 
31,999 
30,185 
                 
Short positions (HFT)
(2,133)
(8,855)
(18,613)
(1,997)
(2,125)
(903)
(34,626)
(213)
                 
Available-for-sale
               
Gross unrealised gains
1,141 
1,083 
1,071 
88 
658 
93 
4,134 
747 
Gross unrealised losses
(63)
(603)
(1,601)
(9)
(2,276)
(2,179)
                 
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
127 
53 
457 
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 
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)

Key points
·
Debt securities decreased by £13.1 billion or 6% in the first quarter, of which £9.9 billion were available-for-sale securities across the Group and £2.8 billion related to held-for-trading positions in Markets.
   
·
Held-for-trading: decreased by £2.8 billion primarily in government bonds. The decrease in UK and US central and local government long positions was due to disposals, along with an increase in netting opportunities. Other government bonds included £21.2 billion long and £13.4 billion short positions relating to eurozone countries, of which £5.0 billion and £5.3 billion respectively related to eurozone periphery countries. The increase in financial institutions mainly relates to US agency residential mortgage-backed securities, as markets picked up.
   
·
Available-for-sale: decreased by £9.9 billion, comprising £7.4 billion central and local government and £2.2 billion financial institutions. UK government bonds fell by £1.6 billion due to additional netting benefits (£1.1 billion) and a change in Direct Line Group investment strategy. Disposals from the RBS N.V. liquidity portfolio resulted in lower government bonds (£3.3 billion), primarily German and French. Non-Core disposals led to a £1.0 billion net reduction in ABS issued by non-bank financial institutions.

 
110

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)
 

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
Banks 
Other 
financial 
institutions 
Corporate 
Total 
% of 
total 
Of which 
ABS 
UK 
US 
Other 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                   
AAA
18,737 
12 
22,792 
2,651 
14,460 
156 
58,808 
30 
12,982 
AA to AA+
37,609 
9,432 
3,553 
31,988 
702 
83,284 
43 
36,532 
A to AA-
17,285 
5,978 
4,032 
1,496 
28,791 
15 
5,761 
BBB- to A-
7,569 
2,719 
4,616 
1,411 
16,320 
6,306 
Non-investment grade
620 
421 
3,876 
1,247 
6,164 
3,837 
Unrated
343 
1,482 
737 
2,564 
949 
                   
 
18,737 
37,626 
57,700 
15,665 
60,454 
5,749 
195,931 
100 
66,367 
                   
31 December 2011
                 
                   
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-
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 
4,480 
Non-investment grade
924 
575 
5,042 
1,275 
7,816 
4,492 
Unrated
39 
1,380 
411 
1,835 
1,235 
                   
 
22,451 
40,484 
62,608 
16,940 
60,628 
5,969 
209,080 
100 
67,309 
                   

Key points
·
The decrease in AAA rated debt securities related to the downgrading of France and Austria to AA+ and a decrease in UK government debt securities. Additionally, certain Spanish covered bonds and the Dutch bond portfolio were downgraded during the quarter.
   
·
The decrease in A to AA- debt securities related to the further downgrade of Italy to BBB+ and a decrease in Japanese debt securities.
   
·
Non-investment grade and unrated debt securities now account for 4% of the debt securities portfolio, down from 5% at the start of the year.

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

 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
US 
UK 
Other (1)
Total 
 
US 
UK 
Other (1)
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                   
Central and local Government
20,547 
11,871 
20,012 
52,430 
 
20,848 
13,436 
25,552 
59,836 
Banks
326 
1,207 
10,681 
12,214 
 
376 
1,391 
11,408 
13,175 
Other financial institutions
15,858 
3,129 
11,522 
30,509 
 
17,453 
3,100 
11,199 
31,752 
Corporate
191 
1,060 
977 
2,228 
 
131 
1,105 
1,299 
2,535 
                   
Total
36,922 
17,267 
43,192 
97,381 
 
38,808 
19,032 
49,458 
107,298 
                   
Of which ABS
18,547 
3,848 
16,364 
38,759 
 
20,256 
3,659 
16,820 
40,735 
                   
AFS reserves (gross)
616 
723 
(1,315)
24 
 
486 
845 
(1,815)
(484)

Note:
(1)
Includes eurozone countries that are detailed on pages 119 to 130.

 
111

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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

Overview
At 31 March 2012, Ulster Bank Group accounted for 10% of the Group’s total gross customer loans and 9% of the Group’s Core gross customer loans. The impairment charge of £654 million for Q1 2012 was £84 million higher than the charge for Q4 2011. The Q1 2012 charge was mainly driven by the residential mortgage and commercial real estate portfolios as high unemployment, austerity measures and economic uncertainty have reduced incomes and, together with limited liquidity, have depressed the property market.

Core
The impairment charge for Q1 2012 of £394 million was £67 million higher than the Q4 2011 charge. The mortgage sector accounted for £215 million (55%) of the Q1 2012 impairment charge (Q4 2011 - 41%). High unemployment, lower incomes and falling house prices have driven increases in mortgage impairments. An increase in the mortgage default portfolio in the quarter accounted for 75% of the rise in Q1 2012 REIL.

REIL increased by £351 million in the quarter, largely due to the continuing difficult conditions in residential mortgages.

Non-Core
The impairment charge for Q1 2012 was £260 million (Q4 2011 - £243 million), with the commercial real estate sector accounting for £226 million (87%) of the Q1 2012 charge. At 31 March 2012, 67% of REIL was in Non-Core (Q4 2011 - 68%). The majority of the Non-Core commercial real estate development portfolio (94%) is REIL, with 58% provision coverage.


 
112

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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

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

 
Gross 
loans 
REIL 
Provisions 
REIL 
as a % of 
gross loans 
Provisions 
as a % of 
REIL 
Provisions 
as a % of 
gross loans 
Impairment 
charge 
 
Amounts 
written-off 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                 
Core
               
Mortgages
19,814 
2,449 
1,144 
12.4 
47 
5.8 
215 
Personal unsecured
1,317 
203 
188 
15.4 
93 
14.3 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
3,835 
976 
448 
25.4 
46 
11.7 
40 
  - development
825 
325 
158 
39.4 
49 
19.2 
14 
Other corporate
8,141 
1,921 
1,163 
23.6 
61 
14.3 
114 
                 
 
33,932 
5,874 
3,101 
17.3 
53 
9.1 
394 
14 
                 
Non-Core
               
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
3,719 
3,010 
1,429 
80.9 
47 
38.4 
84 
  - development
7,969 
7,492 
4,382 
94.0 
58 
55.0 
142 
20 
Other corporate
1,696 
1,170 
664 
69.0 
57 
39.2 
34 
                 
 
13,384 
11,672 
6,475 
87.2 
55 
48.4 
260 
25 
                 
Ulster Bank Group
               
Mortgages
19,814 
2,449 
1,144 
12.4 
47 
5.8 
215 
Personal unsecured
1,317 
203 
188 
15.4 
93 
14.3 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
7,554 
3,986 
1,877 
52.8 
47 
24.8 
124 
  - development
8,794 
7,817 
4,540 
88.9 
58 
51.6 
156 
20 
Other corporate
9,837 
3,091 
1,827 
31.4 
59 
18.6 
148 
                 
 
47,316 
17,546 
9,576 
37.1 
55 
20.2 
654 
39 
                 
31 December 2011
               
                 
Core
               
Mortgages
20,020 
2,184 
945 
10.9 
43 
4.7 
133 
Personal unsecured
1,533 
201 
184 
13.1 
92 
12.0 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
3,882 
1,014 
413 
26.1 
41 
10.6 
51 
  - development
881 
290 
145 
32.9 
50 
16.5 
32 
16 
Other corporate
7,736 
1,834 
1,062 
23.7 
58 
13.7 
100 
33 
                 
 
34,052 
5,523 
2,749 
16.2 
50 
8.1 
327 
62 
                 
Non-Core
               
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
3,860 
2,916 
1,364 
75.5 
47 
35.3 
151 
  - development
8,490 
7,536 
4,295 
88.8 
57 
50.6 
77 
31 
Other corporate
1,630 
1,159 
642 
71.1 
55 
39.4 
15 
                 
 
13,980 
11,611 
6,301 
83.1 
54 
45.1 
243 
36 
                 
Ulster Bank Group
               
Mortgages
20,020 
2,184 
945 
10.9 
43 
4.7 
133 
Personal unsecured
1,533 
201 
184 
13.1 
92 
12.0 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
7,742 
3,930 
1,777 
50.8 
45 
23.0 
202 
  - development
9,371 
7,826 
4,440 
83.5 
57 
47.4 
109 
47 
Other corporate
9,366 
2,993 
1,704 
32.0 
57 
18.2 
115 
38 
                 
 
48,032 
17,134 
9,050 
35.7 
53 
18.8 
570 
98 

 
113

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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

Loans, REIL and impairments by sector (continued)

 
Gross 
 loans 
REIL 
Provisions 
REIL 
as a % of 
gross loans 
Provisions 
 as a % of 
 REIL 
Provisions 
 as a % of 
 gross loans 
Impairment 
charge 
Amounts 
 written-off 
31 March 2011
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
                 
Core
               
Mortgages
21,495 
1,780 
676 
8.3 
38 
3.1 
233 
Personal unsecured
1,499 
193 
164 
12.9 
85 
10.9 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
4,272 
773 
282 
18.1 
36 
6.6 
73 
  - development
1,015 
210 
99 
20.7 
47 
9.8 
24 
Other corporate
8,886 
1,682 
890 
18.9 
53 
10.0 
120 
                 
 
37,167 
4,638 
2,111 
12.5 
46 
5.7 
461 
11 
                 
Non-Core
               
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
3,947 
2,449 
1,060 
62.0 
43 
26.9 
223 
  - development
8,881 
7,588 
3,524 
85.4 
46 
39.7 
503 
Other corporate
1,995 
1,186 
658 
59.4 
55 
33.0 
107 
                 
 
14,823 
11,223 
5,242 
75.7 
47 
35.4 
833 
                 
Ulster Bank Group
               
Mortgages
21,495 
1,780 
676 
8.3 
38 
3.1 
233 
Personal unsecured
1,499 
193 
164 
12.9 
85 
10.9 
11 
Commercial real estate
               
  - investment
8,219 
3,222 
1,342 
39.2 
42 
16.3 
296 
  - development
9,896 
7,798 
3,623 
78.8 
46 
36.6 
527 
Other corporate
10,881 
2,868 
1,548 
26.4 
54 
14.2 
227 
                 
 
51,990 
15,861 
7,353 
30.5 
46 
14.1 
1,294 
11 





 
114

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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

Residential mortgages
The table below shows how the continued decrease in property values has affected the distribution of residential mortgages by indexed loan-to-value (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 value basis
31 March 
2012 
£m 
31 December 
2011 
£m 
     
<= 70%
4,393 
4,526 
> 70% and <= 90%
2,275 
2,501 
> 90% and <= 110%
2,806 
3,086 
> 110% and <= 130%
2,850 
3,072 
> 130%
7,486 
6,517 
     
Total portfolio average LTV at quarter end
112.5% 
106.1% 
     
Average LTV on new originations during the year
69.8% 
73.9% 


Key points
·
The residential mortgage portfolio across Ulster Bank Group totalled £19.8 billion at 31 March 2012, with 89% in the Republic of Ireland and 11% in Northern Ireland.
   
·
The mortgage REIL continued to increase as a result of the continued challenging economic environment. At 31 March 2012, REIL as a percentage of gross mortgages was 12.4% (by value) compared with 8.3% at 31 March 2011. The impairment charge for Q1 2012 was £215 million compared with £233 million for Q1 2011. Repossession levels were higher than in Q1 2011, with a total of 46 properties repossessed during Q1 2012 (compared with 37 during Q1 2011). 50% of repossessions during Q1 2012 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 March 2012, 9.4% (by value) of the mortgage book (£1.9 billion) was on a forbearance arrangement compared with 9.1% (£1.8 billion) at 31 December 2011. The majority of these forbearance arrangements are in the performing book (75%) and not 90 days past due.


 
115

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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 £16.3 billion at 31 March 2012, of which £11.7 billion or 71% is Non-Core. The geographic split of the total Ulster Bank Group commercial real estate portfolio remained similar to 2011, with 26% in Northern Ireland, 63% in the Republic of Ireland and 11% in the UK excluding Northern Ireland.

 
Development
 
Investment
   
 
Commercial 
Residential 
 
Commercial 
Residential 
 
Total 
Exposure by geography
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
               
31 March 2012
             
Ireland (ROI & NI)
2,472 
5,897 
 
4,965 
1,106 
 
14,440 
UK (excluding NI)
72 
315 
 
1,353 
100 
 
1,840 
RoW
32 
 
25 
 
68 
               
 
2,550 
6,244 
 
6,343 
1,211 
 
16,348 
               
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 
 
63 
               
 
2,686 
6,685 
 
6,495 
1,247 
 
17,113 

Key points
·
The outlook for commercial real estate remains challenging, with limited liquidity in the marketplace to support sales or refinancing. The decline in asset valuations continues to place pressure on the portfolio.
   
·
Ulster Bank Group remains focused on proactive management, debt reduction and de-risking of its commercial real estate portfolio while maintaining and responsibly servicing the Core client base through the cycle.



 
116

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

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 further details of the Group’s approach to country risk management, refer to pages 166 to 168 of the Group’s 2011 Form 20-F.

The following tables show the Group’s exposures by country of incorporation of the counterparty at 31 March 2012. 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 March 2012, as well as selected eurozone countries. The numbers are stated before taking into account the impact of mitigants, such as collateral (with the exception of repos), insurance or guarantees, which 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.

Definitions of headings in the following tables:

Lending comprises gross loans and advances to: central and local government; central banks, including cash balances; other banks and financial institutions, incorporating overdraft and other short-term facilities; corporates, 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 legally 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.


 
117

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk (continued)

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 172 of the Group’s 2011 Annual Report and Accounts.

Credit default swaps (CDSs) - under a 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.

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



 
118

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk: Summary

    31 March 2012
    Lending                        
 
Central 
and local 
government 
Central 
banks 
Other 
banks 
 
Other 
financial 
institutions 
Corporate 
Personal 
Total 
lending 
 
Of which 
Non-Core 
 
Debt 
securities 
 
Derivatives 
(gross of 
collateral)
and repos 
 
 
Balance 
sheet 
exposures 
 
Contingent 
liabilities and 
commitments 
 
Total 
 
CDS 
notional 
less fair 
value 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
                                           
Eurozone
                                         
Ireland
45 
1,068 
41 
435 
18,690 
18,631 
38,910 
 
10,113 
 
773 
 
2,577 
 
42,260 
 
3,048 
 
45,308 
 
(138)
Spain
277 
122 
5,340 
353 
6,101 
 
3,502 
 
6,363 
 
2,148 
 
14,612 
 
2,008 
 
16,620 
 
(875)
Italy
40 
200 
344 
1,709 
22 
2,315 
 
1,127 
 
1,065 
 
2,174 
 
5,554 
 
2,757 
 
8,311 
 
(425)
Portugal
422 
427 
 
262 
 
204 
 
544 
 
1,175 
 
228 
 
1,403 
 
Greece
31 
395 
14 
449 
 
90 
 
38 
 
322 
 
809 
 
75 
 
884 
 
(7)
Germany
10 
20,471 
473 
325 
5,939 
148 
27,366 
 
4,819 
 
17,395 
 
15,496 
 
60,257 
 
8,287 
 
68,544 
 
(2,779)
Netherlands
2,582 
9,842 
967 
1,556 
4,691 
22 
19,660 
 
2,440 
 
10,287 
 
10,063 
 
40,010 
 
13,019 
 
53,029 
 
(1,389)
France
517 
1,254 
346 
3,266 
74 
5,461 
 
2,268 
 
5,486 
 
8,729 
 
19,676 
 
10,218 
 
29,894 
 
(2,669)
Luxembourg
20 
1,416 
2,222 
3,661 
 
1,379 
 
125 
 
2,260 
 
6,046 
 
1,880 
 
7,926 
 
(382)
Belgium
286 
55 
177 
271 
741 
21 
1,551 
 
409 
 
1,125 
 
2,844 
 
5,520 
 
1,308 
 
6,828 
 
(120)
Other eurozone
117 
22 
111 
1,465 
26 
1,741 
 
322 
 
835 
 
1,860 
 
4,436 
 
1,306 
 
5,742 
 
(157)
                                           
Total eurozone
3,569 
31,485 
3,433 
4,957 
44,880 
19,318 
107,642 
 
26,731 
 
43,696 
 
49,017 
 
200,355 
 
44,134 
 
244,489 
 
(8,940)
                                           
Other countries
                                       
India
142 
739 
42 
3,132 
114 
4,169 
 
328 
 
1,403 
 
100 
 
5,672 
 
1,280 
 
6,952 
 
(76)
China
239 
172 
1,503 
34 
764 
28 
2,740 
 
234 
 
479 
 
383 
 
3,602 
 
1,464 
 
5,066 
 
53 
South Korea
20 
716 
543 
1,281 
 
 
792 
 
423 
 
2,496 
 
642 
 
3,138 
 
(119)
Turkey
152 
56 
263 
45 
1,059 
23 
1,598 
 
342 
 
278 
 
98 
 
1,974 
 
474 
 
2,448 
 
17 
Brazil
775 
200 
978 
 
64 
 
790 
 
90 
 
1,858 
 
270 
 
2,128 
 
403 
Russia
24 
900 
580 
59 
1,570 
 
74 
 
223 
 
23 
 
1,816 
 
725 
 
2,541 
 
(349)
Romania
25 
136 
14 
446 
381 
1,006 
 
1,005 
 
311 
 
 
1,322 
 
118 
 
1,440 
 
(23)

 

 
 
119

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk: Summary (continued)

    31 December 2011
  Lending                        
 
Central 
and local 
 government 
Central 
 banks 
Other 
 banks 
 
Other 
financial 
institutions 
Corporate 
Personal 
Total 
lending 
 
Of which 
Non-Core 
 
Debt 
securities 
 
Derivatives 
(gross of 
collateral)
 and repos 
 
 
Balance 
sheet 
exposures 
 
Contingent 
liabilities and 
commitments 
 
Total 
 
CDS 
notional 
less fair 
value 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
                                           
Eurozone
                                         
Ireland
45 
1,467 
136 
336 
18,994 
18,858 
39,836 
 
10,156 
 
886 
 
2,824 
 
43,546 
 
2,928 
 
46,474 
 
53 
Spain
206 
154 
5,775 
362 
6,509 
 
3,735 
 
6,155 
 
2,393 
 
15,057 
 
2,630 
 
17,687 
 
(1,013)
Italy
73 
233 
299 
2,444 
23 
3,072 
 
1,155 
 
1,258 
 
2,314 
 
6,644 
 
3,150 
 
9,794 
 
(452)
Portugal
10 
495 
510 
 
341 
 
113 
 
519 
 
1,142 
 
268 
 
1,410 
 
55 
Greece
31 
427 
14 
485 
 
94 
 
409 
 
355 
 
1,249 
 
52 
 
1,301 
 
Germany
18,068 
653 
305 
6,608 
155 
25,789 
 
5,402 
 
15,767 
 
16,037 
 
57,593 
 
7,527 
 
65,120 
 
(2,401)
Netherlands
2,567 
7,654 
623 
1,575 
4,827 
20 
17,266 
 
2,498 
 
9,893 
 
10,285 
 
37,444 
 
13,561 
 
51,005 
 
(1,295)
France
481 
1,273 
437 
3,761 
79 
6,034 
 
2,317 
 
7,794 
 
9,058 
 
22,886 
 
10,217 
 
33,103 
 
(2,846)
Luxembourg
101 
1,779 
2,228 
4,110 
 
1,497 
 
130 
 
3,689 
 
7,929 
 
2,007 
 
9,936 
 
(404)
Belgium
213 
287 
354 
588 
20 
1,470 
 
480 
 
652 
 
3,010 
 
5,132 
 
1,359 
 
6,491 
 
(99)
Other eurozone
121 
28 
115 
1,375 
26 
1,665 
 
324 
 
710 
 
1,971 
 
4,346 
 
1,365 
 
5,711 
 
(25)
                                           
Total eurozone
3,443 
27,282 
3,550 
5,385 
47,522 
19,564 
106,746 
 
27,999 
 
43,767 
 
52,455 
 
202,968 
 
45,064 
 
248,032 
 
(8,426)
                                           
Other countries
                                       
India
275 
610 
35 
2,949 
127 
3,996 
 
350 
 
1,530 
 
218 
 
5,744 
 
1,280 
 
7,024 
 
(105)
China
74 
178 
1,237 
17 
654 
30 
2,190 
 
50 
 
597 
 
413 
 
3,200 
 
1,559 
 
4,759 
 
(62)
South Korea
812 
576 
1,397 
 
 
845 
 
404 
 
2,646 
 
627 
 
3,273 
 
(22)
Turkey
215 
193 
253 
66 
1,072 
16 
1,815 
 
423 
 
361 
 
94 
 
2,270 
 
437 
 
2,707 
 
10 
Brazil
936 
227 
1,167 
 
70 
 
790 
 
24 
 
1,981 
 
319 
 
2,300 
 
164 
Russia
36 
970 
659 
62 
1,735 
 
76 
 
186 
 
66 
 
1,987 
 
356 
 
2,343 
 
(343)
Romania
66 
145 
30 
413 
392 
1,054 
 
1,054 
 
220 
 
 
1,280 
 
160 
 
1,440 
 


 
120

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk (continued)

Key points
Exposures are affected by currency movements. Over the first quarter of 2012, sterling appreciated 3.4% against the US dollar and 0.4% against the euro.

·
Balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures to most countries declined in the first quarter of 2012 as the Group maintained a cautious stance and many clients reduced debt levels. The reductions were seen in all broad product categories and in all client groups, with a few exceptions as noted below. Non-Core exposure declined in most countries, particularly Germany and Spain, as a result of sales and repayments.
   
·
Eurozone periphery (Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece) - Exposure decreased in all five countries, in part caused by significant reductions in available-for-sale debt securities. Most of the Group’s exposure arises from the activities of Markets, International Banking, Ulster Bank (with respect to Ireland), and Group Treasury. The Group has large holdings of Spanish bank and financial institution mortgage-backed securities bonds and smaller quantities of Italian bonds. International Banking provides trade finance facilities to clients across Europe including the eurozone periphery.
   
·
Ireland - The Group’s exposure to Ireland is driven by Ulster Bank Group (88% of the Group’s Irish exposure at 31 March 2012). The largest components of the Group’s exposure are corporate lending of £18.7 billion (more than half of these loans being to the property sector - mainly commercial real estate, plus construction and building materials) and personal lending of £18.6 billion (mainly mortgages). In addition, the Group has cash and derivatives exposure to the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), financial institutions and large international clients with funding subsidiaries based in Ireland.
   
 
Exposure to the central bank declined by £0.3 billion; this reduction was driven by a change in CBI regulatory requirements. Commercial real estate lending amounted to £10.8 billion at 31 March 2012, only slightly down from the 31 December 2011 level as adverse market conditions hampered asset disposals and refinancing. The commercial real estate lending exposure is largely in Ulster Bank Non-Core and includes REIL of £7.9 billion and loan provisions of £4.2 billion. In personal lending, residential mortgage loans amounted to £17.6 billion, including REIL of £2.4 billion and loan provisions of £1.1 billion. The residential housing market continues to suffer from weak domestic demand, with house prices now approximately 50% below their 2007 peak.
   
·
Spain - The Group maintains strong relationships with selected banks, other financial institutions and large corporate clients. The exposure to Spain is driven by corporate lending and a sizeable ABS portfolio of £6.5 billion, including £6.1 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities covered bonds. The latter portfolio, which is the Group’s largest exposure to the financial sector, continues to perform satisfactorily. The Group continues to monitor the situation closely, including undertaking stress analyses of this AFS portfolio.
   
 
Corporate lending decreased by £0.4 billion, due to reductions mostly in the natural resources and property sectors. Commercial real estate lending amounted to £2.3 billion at 31 March 2012, nearly all in Non-Core, and includes REIL of £1.0 billion and loan provisions of £0.3 billion.


 
121

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk (continued)

Key points (continued)
·
Italy - The Group maintains strong relationships with Italian government entities, banks, other financial institutions and large corporate clients. In addition, the Group is an active market-maker in Italian government bonds, resulting in large gross long and short positions in held-for-trading securities.
   
 
Corporate lending declined by £0.7 billion largely to manufacturing companies. AFS government and private sector bond exposure was significantly reduced through sales.
   
·
Portugal - Exposure was stable during the first quarter of 2012, as reductions in lending and a sale of some Group Treasury available-for-sale bonds were offset by a significant recovery in market prices.
   
·
Greece - The Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of AFS Greek government bonds in 2011. It participated in the restructuring of the Greek government debt in March 2012, which resulted in new bonds, most of which were sold in March (the remainder were sold in April), and in £0.2 billion of AFS bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility incorporated in Luxembourg. The Group now has no exposure to AFS bonds issued by the Greek government.
   
 
Remaining exposure to Greece at the end of the first quarter was £0.8 billion. This largely comprised corporate lending (part of this being exposure to local subsidiaries of international companies) and also included some partly collateralised derivative and repo exposure to banks.
   
·
Germany and the Netherlands - The Group holds significant short-term surplus liquidity with central banks given credit risk and capital considerations and limited alternative investment opportunities; this exposure also fluctuates as part of the Group’s asset and liability management. In addition, net long held-for-trading positions in German and Dutch bonds in Markets increased driven by market opportunities; concurrently, German AFS bond positions in Group Treasury were reduced in line with internal liquidity management strategies.
   
·
France - During the first quarter of 2012, in anticipation of widening credit spreads and as part of general risk management, the Group reduced its holdings in French bonds, both available-for-sale in Group Treasury and held-for-trading in Markets.
 

 
 
122

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk (continued)

Key points (continued)
·
CDS protection bought and sold - The Group uses CDS contracts to manage both country and counterparty exposures.
   
 
During the first quarter of 2012, gross notional CDS contracts, bought and sold, decreased significantly. This was caused by maturing of contracts and by efforts to reduce counterparty credit exposures and risk-weighted assets through derivative compression trades and other means. In addition, the decrease in gross notional CDS positions contributed to a decrease in the fair value of bought and sold CDS contracts, which also declined due to a general narrowing of eurozone CDS spreads. However, spreads generally widened in April, reflecting renewed eurozone concerns.
   
 
Greek sovereign CDS positions were minimal at 31 March 2012 and were fully closed out in April, as the use of the collective action clause in the Greek debt swap resulted in a credit event occurring, which triggered Greek sovereign CDS contracts.
   
 
The Group primarily transacts these 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, the risk is mitigated through specific collateralisation.
   
 
Due to their bespoke nature, exposures relating to CDPCs and associated hedges have not been included as they cannot be meaningfully attributed to a particular country or reference entity. Nth-to-default basket swaps have also been excluded as they cannot be meaningfully attributed to a particular reference entity.


 
123

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

Risk management: Country risk: Eurozone
            AFS and LAR debt securities
  AFS
reserves
 
  HFT
debt securities
  Total
debt securities
    Derivatives (gross of  collateral) and repos     Balance sheet exposures  
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local government
3,569 
 
14,710 
212 
 
21,221 
13,391 
22,540 
 
1,739 
 
27,848 
 
36,127 
34,979 
 
3,765 
(3,484)
Central banks
31,485 
 
 
 
5,664 
 
37,156 
 
 
Other banks
3,433 
 
8,126 
(542)
 
1,175 
1,189 
8,112 
 
29,338 
 
40,883 
 
16,333 
15,944 
 
1,047 
(975)
Other financial institutions
4,957 
 
10,283 
(1,007)
 
1,967 
533 
11,717 
 
8,621 
 
25,295 
 
13,122 
11,634 
 
326 
(255)
Corporate
44,880 
14,468 
7,394 
 
859 
27 
 
643 
182 
1,320 
 
3,655 
 
49,855 
 
59,568 
52,869 
 
540 
(180)
Personal
19,318 
2,548 
1,272 
 
 
 
 
19,318 
 
 
                                         
 
107,642 
17,016 
8,666 
 
33,978 
(1,310)
 
25,013 
15,295 
43,696 
 
49,017 
 
200,355 
 
125,150 
115,426 
 
5,678 
(4,894)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
3,443 
 
18,406 
81 
 
19,597 
15,049 
22,954 
 
1,925 
 
28,322 
 
37,080 
36,759 
 
6,488 
(6,376)
Central banks
27,282 
 
20 
 
26 
 
5,770 
 
33,078 
 
 
Other banks
3,550 
 
8,423 
(752)
 
1,272 
1,502 
8,193 
 
29,685 
 
41,428 
 
19,736 
19,232 
 
2,303 
(2,225)
Other financial
  institutions
5,385 
 
10,494 
(1,129)
 
1,138 
471 
11,161 
 
10,956 
 
27,502 
 
17,949 
16,608 
 
693 
(620)
Corporate
47,522 
14,152 
7,267 
 
964 
23 
 
528 
59 
1,433 
 
4,118 
 
53,073 
 
76,966 
70,119 
 
2,241 
(1,917)
Personal
19,564 
2,280 
1,069 
 
 
 
 
19,565 
 
 
                                         
 
106,746 
16,432 
8,336 
 
38,307 
(1,777)
 
22,541 
17,081 
43,767 
 
52,455 
 
202,968 
 
151,731 
142,718 
 
11,725 
(11,138)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
62,327 
2,949 
 
1,475 
120 
 
198 
18 
 
 
64,000 
3,087 
Other financial Institutions
57,670 
2,210 
 
596 
85 
 
2,674 
223 
 
210 
73 
 
61,150 
2,591 
                             
Total
119,997 
5,159 
 
2,071 
205 
 
2,872 
241 
 
210 
73 
 
125,150 
5,678 
                             
31 December 2011
147,448 
11,190 
 
1,844 
220 
 
2,292 
301 
 
147 
14 
 
151,731 
11,725 
 
 

 
 
124

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Eurozone periphery
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities     
  HFT
debt securities
  Total debt  securities      Derivatives (gross of collateral) and repos     Balance  sheet  exposures   
CDS by reference entity
    Lending    REIL    Provisions      AFS   reserves         
Notional
 
Fair value
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
  
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
57 
 
562 
(177)
 
4,977 
5,285 
254 
 
135 
 
446 
 
23,858 
23,869 
 
3,428 
(3,180)
Central banks
1,113 
 
 
 
101 
 
1,214 
 
 
Other banks
520 
 
5,270 
(755)
 
276 
227 
5,319 
 
4,713 
 
10,552 
 
7,610 
7,436 
 
721 
(684)
Other financial
  institutions
932 
 
2,276 
(593)
 
312 
139 
2,449 
 
1,354 
 
4,735 
 
3,102 
2,723 
 
186 
(151)
Corporate
26,556 
12,296 
6,581 
 
176 
 
276 
31 
421 
 
1,462 
 
28,439 
 
8,811 
7,464 
 
480 
(355)
Personal
19,024 
2,522 
1,247 
 
 
 
 
19,024 
 
 
                                         
 
48,202 
14,818 
7,828 
 
8,284 
(1,525)
 
5,841 
5,682 
8,443 
 
7,765 
 
64,410 
 
43,381 
41,492 
 
4,815 
(4,370)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
61 
 
1,207 
(339) 
 
4,854 
5,652 
409 
 
236 
 
706 
 
25,883 
26,174 
 
5,979 
(5,926)
Central banks
1,549 
 
 
 
 
1,549 
 
 
Other banks
585 
 
5,279 
(956) 
 
436 
318 
5,397 
 
4,824 
 
10,806 
 
9,372 
9,159 
 
1,657 
(1,623)
Other financial
  institutions
820 
 
2,331 
(654) 
 
228 
56 
2,503 
 
1,855 
 
5,178 
 
3,854 
3,635 
 
290 
(262)
Corporate
28,135 
12,103 
6,527 
 
274 
 
238 
512 
 
1,489 
 
30,136 
 
10,798 
9,329 
 
999 
(860)
Personal
19,262 
2,258 
1,048 
 
 
 
 
19,263 
 
 
                                         
 
50,412 
14,361 
7,575 
 
9,091 
(1,945) 
 
5,756 
6,026 
8,821 
 
8,405 
 
67,638 
 
49,907 
48,297 
 
8,925 
(8,671)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
23,823 
2,598 
 
978 
111 
 
93 
11 
 
 
24,894 
2,720 
Other financial Institutions
17,423 
1,859 
 
236 
50 
 
765 
123 
 
63 
63 
 
18,487 
2,095 
                             
Total
41,246 
4,457 
 
1,214 
161 
 
858 
134 
 
63 
63 
 
43,381 
4,815 
                             
31 December 2011
48,090 
8,586 
 
998 
163 
 
819 
176 
 
 
49,907 
8,925 
 

 
 
125

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Ireland
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities    AFS  reserves   
  HFT
debt securities
  Total debt  securities      Derivatives  (gross of  collateral) and repos      Balance  sheet  exposures   
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions 
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
  
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
45 
 
115 
(34)
 
13 
109 
 
11 
 
165 
 
2,276 
2,281 
 
364 
(357)
Central banks
1,068 
 
 
 
101 
 
1,169 
 
 
Other banks
41 
 
183 
(24)
 
156 
339 
 
1,220 
 
1,600 
 
128 
125 
 
11 
(11)
Other financial
  institutions
435 
 
54 
 
142 
63 
133 
 
809 
 
1,377 
 
742 
677 
 
54 
(54)
Corporate
18,690 
10,624 
5,784 
 
60 
 
133 
192 
 
436 
 
19,318 
 
369 
286 
 
(21)
22 
Personal
18,631 
2,522 
1,247 
 
 
 
 
18,631 
 
 
                                         
 
38,910 
13,146 
7,031 
 
412 
(58)
 
438 
77 
773 
 
2,577 
 
42,260 
 
3,515 
3,369 
 
408 
(400)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
45 
 
102 
(46)
 
20 
19 
103 
 
92 
 
240 
 
2,145 
2,223 
 
466 
(481)
Central banks
1,467 
 
 
 
 
1,467 
 
 
Other banks
136 
 
177 
(39)
 
195 
14 
358 
 
1,459 
 
1,953 
 
110 
107 
 
21 
(21)
Other financial
  institutions
336 
 
61 
 
116 
35 
142 
 
855 
 
1,333 
 
523 
630 
 
64 
(74)
Corporate
18,994 
10,269 
5,689 
 
148 
 
135 
283 
 
417 
 
19,694 
 
425 
322 
 
(11)
10 
Personal
18,858 
2,258 
1,048 
 
 
 
 
18,859 
 
 
                                         
 
39,836 
12,527 
6,737 
 
488 
(82)
 
466 
68 
886 
 
2,824 
 
43,546 
 
3,203 
3,282 
 
540 
(566)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
1,692 
233 
 
 
 
 
1,701 
234 
Other financial Institutions
1,443 
165 
 
161 
 
210 
 
 
1,814 
174 
                             
Total
3,135 
398 
 
170 
 
210 
 
 
3,515 
408 
                             
31 December 2011
2,911 
532 
 
163 
 
129 
 
 
3,203 
540 
 

 
 
126

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Spain
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities    AFS  reserves      HFT debt securities   Total debt   securities      Derivatives  (gross of  collateral) and repos      Balance  sheet  exposures   
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions 
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
 
35 
(13)
 
677 
899 
(187)
 
29 
 
(149)
 
5,839 
5,876 
 
687 
(669)
Central banks
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other banks
277 
 
4,860 
(698)
 
104 
156 
4,808 
 
1,317 
 
6,402 
 
1,974 
1,973 
 
128 
(119)
Other financial
  institutions
122 
 
1,632 
(583)
 
112 
45 
1,699 
 
366 
 
2,187 
 
1,427 
1,214 
 
95 
(66)
Corporate
5,340 
1,040 
357 
 
 
59 
16 
43 
 
436 
 
5,819 
 
3,886 
3,084 
 
196 
(148)
Personal
353 
 
 
 
 
353 
 
 
                                         
 
6,101 
1,040 
357 
 
6,527 
(1,294)
 
952 
1,116 
6,363 
 
2,148 
 
14,612 
 
13,126 
12,147 
 
1,106 
(1,002)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
 
33 
(15)
 
360 
751 
(358)
 
35 
 
(314)
 
5,151 
5,155 
 
538 
(522)
Central banks
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other banks
206 
 
4,892 
(867)
 
162 
214 
4,840 
 
1,622 
 
6,668 
 
1,965 
1,937 
 
154 
(152)
Other financial
  institutions
154 
 
1,580 
(639)
 
65 
1,637 
 
282 
 
2,073 
 
2,417 
2,204 
 
157 
(128)
Corporate
5,775 
1,190 
442 
 
 
27 
36 
 
454 
 
6,265 
 
4,831 
3,959 
 
448 
(399)
Personal
362 
 
 
 
 
362 
 
 
                                         
 
6,509 
1,190 
442 
 
6,514  
(1,521)
 
614  
973 
6,155 
 
2,393 
 
15,057 
 
14,364 
13,225 
 
1,297 
(1,201)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
6,748 
532 
 
67 
 
32 
 
 
6,847 
540 
Other financial Institutions
6,045 
510 
 
21 
 
213 
53 
 
 
6,279 
566 
                             
Total
12,793 
1,042 
 
88 
 
245 
56 
 
 
13,126 
1,106 
                             
31 December 2011
13,833 
1,235 
 
230 
 
301 
54 
 
 
14,364 
1,297 
 
 

 
 
127

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Italy
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities    AFS   reserves      HFT debt securities   Total debt  securities      Derivatives  (gross of  collateral) and repos      Balance  sheet  exposures   
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions 
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
  
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
 
348 
(87)
 
4,247 
4,341 
254 
 
77 
 
331 
 
12,341 
12,385 
 
1,330 
(1,210)
Central banks
40 
 
 
 
 
40 
 
 
Other banks
200 
 
119 
(14)
 
15 
69 
65 
 
1,509 
 
1,774 
 
4,357 
4,199 
 
429 
(403)
Other financial
  institutions
344 
 
585 
(10)
 
39 
18 
606 
 
133 
 
1,083 
 
891 
793 
 
29 
(23)
Corporate
1,709 
281 
98 
 
74 
 
80 
14 
140 
 
455 
 
2,304 
 
3,809 
3,387 
 
160 
(103)
Personal
22 
 
 
 
 
22 
 
 
                                         
 
2,315 
281 
98 
 
1,126 
(111)
 
4,381 
4,442 
1,065 
 
2,174 
 
5,554 
 
21,398 
20,764 
 
1,948 
(1,739)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
 
704 
(220)
 
4,336 
4,725 
315 
 
90 
 
405 
 
12,125 
12,218 
 
1,750 
(1,708)
Central banks
73 
 
 
 
 
73 
 
 
Other banks
233 
 
119 
(14)
 
67 
88 
98 
 
1,064 
 
1,395 
 
6,078 
5,938 
 
1,215 
(1,187)
Other financial
  institutions
299 
 
685 
(15)
 
40 
13 
712 
 
686 
 
1,697 
 
872 
762 
 
60 
(51)
Corporate
2,444 
361 
113 
 
75 
 
58 
133 
 
474 
 
3,051 
 
4,742 
4,299 
 
350 
(281)
Personal
23 
 
 
 
 
23 
 
 
                                         
 
3,072 
361 
113 
 
1,583 
(249)
 
4,501 
4,826 
1,258 
 
2,314 
 
6,644 
 
23,817 
23,217 
 
3,375 
(3,227)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
12,448 
1,096 
 
857 
97 
 
61 
 
 
13,366 
1,201 
Other financial Institutions
7,703 
658 
 
54 
47 
 
275 
42 
 
 
8,032 
747 
                             
Total
20,151 
1,754 
 
911 
144 
 
336 
50 
 
 
21,398 
1,948 
                             
31 December 2011
23,042 
3,226 
 
495 
96 
 
280 
53 
 
 
23,817 
3,375 
 

 
 
128

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Portugal
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities    AFS  reserves      HFT debt securities   Total debt  securities      Derivatives  (gross of  collateral) and repos      Balance  sheet  expo    sures   
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions 
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
  
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
 
51 
(43)
 
21 
32 
40 
 
18 
 
58 
 
3,277 
3,264 
 
922 
(881)
Other banks
 
108 
(19)
 
107 
 
402 
 
510 
 
1,146 
1,134 
 
152 
(149)
Other financial
  institutions
 
 
19 
13 
11 
 
44 
 
55 
 
 
(1)
Corporate
422 
42 
34 
 
42 
 
46 
 
80 
 
548 
 
350 
316 
 
56 
(37)
Personal
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                         
 
427 
42 
34 
 
206 
(62)
 
45 
47 
204 
 
544 
 
1,175 
 
4,781 
4,719 
 
1,131 
(1,068)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
 
56 
(58)
 
36 
152 
(60)
 
19 
 
(41)
 
3,304 
3,413 
 
997 
(985)
Other banks
10 
 
91 
(36)
 
12 
101 
 
389 
 
500 
 
1,197 
1,155 
 
264 
(260)
Other financial
  institutions
 
 
12 
 
30 
 
42 
 
 
(1)
Corporate
495 
27 
27 
 
42 
 
18 
60 
 
81 
 
636 
 
366 
321 
 
68 
(48)
Personal
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                         
 
510 
27 
27 
 
194 
(94)
 
73 
154 
113 
 
519 
 
1,142 
 
4,875 
4,894 
 
1,330 
(1,294)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
2,747 
644 
 
45 
 
 
 
2,792 
652 
Other financial Institutions
1,956 
466 
 
 
33 
13 
 
 
1,989 
479 
                             
Total
4,703 
1,110 
 
45 
 
33 
13 
 
 
4,781 
1,131 
                             
31 December 2011
4,796 
1,303 
 
46 
12 
 
33 
15 
 
 
4,875 
1,330 


 
129

 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Risk management: Country risk: Greece
            AFS and  LAR debt  securities    AFS   reserves      HFT debt securities   Total debt  securities      Derivatives  (gross of  collateral) and repos      Balance  sheet  exposures   
CDS by reference entity
                 
Notional
 
Fair value
 
Lending 
REIL 
Provisions 
   
Long 
Short 
     
Bought 
Sold 
 
Bought 
Sold 
31 March 2012
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
  
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                                         
Central and local
  government
 
13 
 
25 
38 
 
 
41 
 
125 
63 
 
125 
(63)
Central banks
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other banks
 
 
 
265 
 
266 
 
 
(2)
Other financial
  institutions
31 
 
 
 
 
33 
 
34 
34 
 
(7)
Corporate
395 
309 
308 
 
 
 
55 
 
450 
 
397 
391 
 
89 
(89)
Personal
14 
 
 
 
 
14 
 
 
                                         
 
449 
309 
308 
 
13 
 
25 
38 
 
322 
 
809 
 
561 
493 
 
222 
(161)
                                         
31 December 2011
                                       
Central and local
  government
 
312 
 
102 
409 
 
 
416 
 
3,158 
3,165 
 
2,228 
(2,230)
Central banks
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other banks
 
 
 
290 
 
290 
 
22 
22 
 
(3)
Other financial
  institutions
31 
 
 
 
 
33 
 
34 
34 
 
(8)
Corporate
427 
256 
256 
 
 
 
63 
 
490 
 
434 
428 
 
144 
(142)
Personal
14 
 
 
 
 
14 
 
 
                                         
 
485 
256 
256 
 
312 
 
102 
409 
 
355 
 
1,249 
 
3,648 
3,649 
 
2,383 
(2,383)

CDS bought protection: counterparty analysis by internal asset quality band

 
AQ1
 
AQ2-AQ3
 
AQ4-AQ9
 
AQ10
 
Total
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
 
Notional 
Fair value 
31 March 2012 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
                             
Banks
188 
93 
 
 
 
 
188 
93 
Other financial Institutions
276 
60 
 
 
34 
 
63 
63 
 
373 
129 
                             
Total
464 
153 
 
 
34 
 
63 
63 
 
561 
222 
                             
31 December 2011
3,508 
2,290 
 
64 
46 
 
76 
47 
 
 
3,648 
2,383 


 
130

 
 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


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.

For a description of the Group’s basis of measurement and methodologies, refer to pages 229 to 231 of the Group’s 2011 Annual Report and Accounts.

Following the implementation of CRD III at 31 December 2011, 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 CRD III capital charges at 31 March 2012 are shown in the table below:

 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£m 
£m 
     
Stressed VaR
1,793 
1,682 
Incremental Risk Charge
659 
469 
All Price Risk
262 
297 

The Group’s US trading subsidiary was included in the internal models in March 2012 resulting in an increase in Incremental Risk Charge and Stressed VaR.
 
Daily distribution of Markets 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.
 
 
131

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Market risk (continued)
Key points
·
Markets delivered higher trading revenues in Q1 2012 than in Q4 2011. This reflected the temporary improvement in global markets sentiment following the approval of Greece’s bailout and debt restructuring and increased liquidity in Europe as a result of the European Central Bank’s Long-Term Refinancing Operation programme.
   
·
A higher volume of client activity and normalised bid-offer spreads contributed to more stable and consistent revenues compared with Q4 2011, as seen by trends in average daily revenue and standard deviation. The average daily revenue in Q1 2012 was £27 million compared with £9 million in Q4 2011. The standard deviation of the daily revenues in Q1 2012 was £15 million, down from £18 million in Q4 2011.
   
·
The number of days with negative revenue decreased from 18 in Q4 2011 to two in Q1 2012, primarily reflecting the factors discussed above.
   
·
The two most frequent results were daily revenue of: (i) between £15 million and £20 million, and (ii) between £25 million and £30 million, each of which occurred 13 times in Q1 2012. In Q4 2011, the most frequent result was daily revenue of between zero and £5 million, which occurred 12 times.


VaR disclosures
Counterparty Exposure Management (CEM) manages the OTC derivative counterparty credit and funding risk on behalf of Markets, by actively controlling risk concentrations and reducing unwanted risk exposures. The hedging transactions CEM enters into are booked in the trading book, and therefore contribute to the market risk VaR exposure of the Group. The counterparty exposures themselves are not captured in VaR for regulatory capital. In the interest of transparency and to more properly represent the exposure, CEM exposure and total VaR excluding CEM are disclosed separately.

The table below details VaR for the Group’s trading portfolios, analysed by type of market risk exposure, and between Core, Non-Core, CEM and the Group’s total trading VaR excluding CEM.

 
132

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Market risk (continued)
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
31 March 2011
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
Trading VaR
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m
                             
Interest rate
73.8 
68.3 
95.7 
51.2 
 
62.5 
68.1 
72.3 
50.8 
 
60.4 
60.2 
79.2 
42.1 
Credit spread
84.2 
88.5 
94.9 
72.6 
 
68.4 
74.3 
78.5 
57.4 
 
134.1 
97.7 
151.1 
97.7 
Currency
12.5 
11.1 
21.3 
8.2 
 
10.9 
16.2 
19.2 
5.7 
 
12.2 
10.5 
18.0 
8.1 
Equity
7.5 
6.3 
12.5 
4.7 
 
8.3 
8.0 
12.5 
5.0 
 
11.1 
10.7 
14.5 
8.0 
Commodity
2.5 
1.3 
6.0 
1.0 
 
4.3 
2.3 
7.0 
2.0 
 
0.2 
0.1 
0.7 
 
Diversification (1)
 
(69.0)
       
(52.3)
       
(71.1)
   
Total
116.6 
106.5 
137.0 
97.2 
 
109.7 
116.6 
132.2 
83.5 
 
156.4 
108.1 
181.3 
108.1 
                             
Core
82.8 
74.5 
118.0 
63.6 
 
77.3 
89.1 
95.6 
57.7 
 
108.2 
72.2 
133.9 
72.2 
Non-Core
38.7 
39.3 
41.9 
34.2 
 
35.2 
34.6 
40.7 
30.0 
 
113.9 
109.4 
128.6 
104.1 
                             
CEM (2)
79.1 
78.5 
84.2 
73.3 
   
75.8 
       
43.9 
   
                             
Total (excluding CEM) (2)
53.5 
56.6 
76.4 
41.0 
   
49.7 
       
110.8 
   

Notes:
(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.
(2)
CEM and total trading VaR excluding CEM for Q1 2012 have been presented on a minimum, maximum, average and period end basis. For comparative purposes, the period end VaR figures have been shown for Q4 2011 and Q1 2011.

Key points
·
The Group’s average and maximum total trading VaR and interest rate trading VaR were slightly higher during Q1 2012 than Q4 2011. This was largely driven by pre-hedging activity ahead of UK Gilt and Japanese Government bond auctions in which RBS participated.
   
·
The eurozone sovereign crisis caused unrest in the credit markets over the quarter as France was downgraded and Greece's debt refinancing raised concerns over Italy and Spain's ability to refinance their debt. This caused credit spreads to widen over the majority of the quarter and impacted the Group’s credit spread exposure, resulting in a higher average and maximum credit spread VaR in Q1 2012 than in Q4 2011.
   
·
Non-Core trading VaR showed a slight increase over Q1 2012 due to increased hedging activities in CEM as counterparty credit risks deteriorated.
 
 
133

 
 
Risk and balance sheet management (continued)


Market risk (continued)
The table below details VaR for the Group’s non-trading portfolio, excluding the structured credit portfolio (SCP) and loans and receivables (LAR), analysed by type of market risk exposure and between Core, Non-Core CEM, and the Group’s total non-trading VaR excluding CEM.

 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2012
 
31 December 2011
 
31 March 2011
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
 
Average 
Period end 
Maximum 
Minimum 
Non-trading VaR
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m
                             
Interest rate
9.6 
8.7 
10.7 
8.7 
 
9.7 
9.9 
10.9 
8.8 
 
7.8 
7.0 
10.8 
6.5 
Credit spread
13.9 
15.2 
15.4 
12.9 
 
13.9 
13.6 
15.7 
12.1 
 
23.8 
22.5 
39.3 
14.2 
Currency
3.7 
3.3 
4.5 
3.2 
 
3.5 
4.0 
5.1 
2.4 
 
0.6 
0.6 
1.8 
0.1 
Equity
1.9 
1.8 
1.9 
1.8 
 
1.9 
1.9 
2.0 
1.8 
 
2.5 
2.3 
3.1 
2.2 
Diversification (1)
 
(10.8)
       
(13.6)
       
(5.4)
   
Total
15.7 
18.2 
18.3 
13.6 
 
16.3 
15.8 
20.0 
14.2 
 
26.5 
27.0 
41.6 
13.4 
                             
Core
15.7 
18.8 
19.0 
13.5 
 
16.0 
15.1 
18.9 
14.1 
 
25.5 
26.1 
38.9 
13.5 
Non-Core
2.5 
2.4 
2.6 
2.4 
 
3.4 
2.5 
3.9 
2.5 
 
2.6 
2.4 
3.4 
2.2 
                             
CEM (2)
1.0 
0.9 
1.0 
0.9 
   
0.9 
       
0.3 
   
Total excluding CEM (2)
15.7 
17.4 
17.8 
13.5 
   
15.5 
       
27.0 
   

Notes:
(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.
(2)
CEM and total non-trading VaR excluding CEM for Q1 2012 have been presented on a minimum, maximum, average and period end basis. For comparative purposes, the period end VaR figures have been shown for Q4 2011 and Q1 2011.

 
134

 

Risk and balance sheet management (continued)

 
Market risk (continued)
 
Structured Credit Portfolio (SCP)
 
Drawn notional
 
Fair value
 
CDOs 
CLOs 
MBS (1)
Other 
 ABS 
Total 
 
CDOs 
CLOs 
MBS (1)
Other 
 ABS 
Total 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m 
£m
                       
31 March 2012
                     
1-2 years
54 
54 
 
48 
48 
2-3 years
153 
162 
 
143 
152 
4-5 years
18 
30 
93 
141 
 
17 
23 
86 
126 
5-10 years
368 
254 
248 
870 
 
334 
167 
210 
711 
>10 years
1,115 
432 
833 
557 
2,937 
 
202 
368 
569 
319 
1,458 
 
1,115 
818 
1,126 
1,105 
4,164 
 
202 
719 
768 
806 
2,495 
                       
31 December 2011
                     
1-2 years
27 
27 
 
22 
22 
2-3 years
10 
196 
206 
 
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 
                       
31 March 2011
                     
1-2 years
19 
38 
57 
 
18 
34 
52 
2-3 years
12 
19 
43 
70 
144 
 
12 
17 
42 
64 
135 
3-4 years
11 
206 
222 
 
10 
194 
209 
4-5 years
15 
15 
36 
66 
 
15 
14 
33 
62 
5-10 years
96 
467 
313 
385 
1,261 
 
85 
435 
232 
342 
1,094 
>10 years
397 
624 
561 
530 
2,112 
 
154 
500 
400 
369 
1,423 
 
520 
1,149 
928 
1,265 
3,862 
 
266 
989 
684 
1,036 
2,975 

Note:
(1)
MBS include sub-prime RMBS with a notional amount of £396 million (31 December 2011 - £401 million; 31 March 2011 - £455 million) and a fair value of £258 million (31 December 2011 - £252 million; 31 March 2011 - £330 million), all with residual maturities of greater than ten years.

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.

Key point
·
The CDO drawn notional was lower at 31 March 2012 than at 31 December 2011 due to the liquidation of legacy commercial real estate CDOs. Following the liquidation, the majority of the underlying assets were sold and the retained MBS assets were added to the MBS portfolio, increasing the drawn notional at 31 March 2012.

 
135

 

Additional information



 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
     
Ordinary share price
£0.276 
£0.202 
     
Number of ordinary shares in issue
59,546m 
59,228m 

Capitalisation of the Group
The following table shows the Group’s issued and fully paid share capital, owners’ equity and indebtedness on an unaudited consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS as at 31 March 2012
 
 
As at 
31 March 
 2012 
 
£m 
   
Share capital - allotted, called up and fully paid
 
Ordinary shares of 25p
14,886
B shares of £0.01
510
Dividend access share of £0.01
Non-cumulative preference shares of US$0.01
1
Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.01
Non-cumulative preference shares of £1.00
Retained income and other reserves
15,397
58,019
Owners’ equity
73,416
   
Group indebtedness
 
Subordinated liabilities
25,513
Debt securities in issue
142,943
Total indebtedness
168,456
Total capitalisation and indebtedness
241,872

Under IFRS, certain preference shares are classified as debt and are included in subordinated liabilities in the table above.
 
Since 31 March 2012 issuances of debt securities net of buybacks totalled £433 million.
 
Other than as disclosed above, the information contained in the tables above has not changed materially since 31 March 2012.
 
 
136

 

Additional information (continued)


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
Quarter ended 
31 March 
 2012(3) 
Year ended 31 December
 
2011 
2010
2009(3)
2008(3)
2007 
             
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference share dividends (1,2)
           
  - including interest on deposits
0.33 
0.91 
0.94 
0.75 
­0.05 
1.45 
  - excluding interest on deposits
 
0.25 
0.38 
­
­
5.73 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges only (1,2)
           
  - including interest on deposits
0.33 
0.91 
0.95 
0.80 
­0.05 
1.47 
  - excluding interest on deposits
 
0.25 
0.44 
­
­
6.53 

Notes:
(1)
For this purpose, earnings consist of income before tax and non-controlling interests, plus fixed charges less the unremitted income of associated undertakings (share of profits less dividends received). Fixed charges consist of total interest expense, including or excluding interest on deposits and debt securities in issue, as appropriate, and the proportion of rental expense deemed representative of the interest factor (one third of total rental expenses).
(2)
The earnings for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 and for years ended 31 December 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, were inadequate to cover total fixed charges and preference share dividends. The coverage deficiency for total fixed charges and preference share dividends for the quarter ended 31 March 2012 was £1,404 million and for the years ended 31 December 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were £766 million, £523 million, £3,582 million and £26,287 million, respectively. The coverage deficiency for fixed charges only for quarter ended 31 March 2012 was £1,404 million and for the years ended 31 December 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were £766 million, £399 million, £2,647 million and £25,691 million, respectively.
(3)
Negative ratios have been excluded.

 
137

 
 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.




The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Registrant








         
/s/ Rajan Kapoor
   
 
 
Rajan Kapoor
   
 
 
Group Chief Accountant
   
 
 
11 May 2012
 
 
138

 
 









Appendix 1
 
 
 


Businesses outlined for
disposal
 
 
 


 
 

 
 
Appendix 1 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 Direct Line Group, 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.

The disposal of Direct Line Group, 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 to 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 Direct Line Group and the UK branch-based businesses.

 
Total income
 
Operating profit
 
Q1 2012 
FY 2011 
 
Q1 2012 
FY 2011 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
           
Direct Line Group (1)
966 
4,286 
 
84 
407 
UK branch-based businesses (2)
226 
959 
 
79 
319 
Total
1,192 
5,245 
 
163 
726 

The table below shows the estimated risk-weighted assets, total assets and capital of the businesses identified for disposal.

 
RWAs
 
Total assets
 
Capital
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£bn 
£bn 
 
£bn 
£bn 
 
£bn 
£bn 
Direct Line Group (1)
n/m 
n/m 
 
13.3 
13.9 
 
4.1 
4.4 
UK branch-based businesses (2)
10.5 
11.1 
 
19.1 
19.3 
 
1.0 
1.0 
Total
10.5 
11.1 
 
32.4 
33.2 
 
5.1 
5.4 

Notes:
(1)
Total income includes investment income of £90 million (FY 2011 - £302 million). Total assets and estimated capital include approximately £0.9 billion of goodwill, of which £0.7 billion is attributed to Direct Line Group by RBS Group.
(2)
Estimated notional equity based on 10% (2011 - 9%) of RWAs.
 
 
 

 
 
Appendix 1 Businesses outlined for disposal (continued)

 

Further information on the UK branch-based businesses by division is shown in the tables below:
 
Division
 
Total
 
UK 
Retail 
UK 
Corporate 
 
Q1 2012 
FY 2011 
 
£m 
£m 
 
£m 
£m 
Income statement
         
Net interest income
79 
82 
 
161 
689 
Non-interest income
24 
41 
 
65 
270 
Total income
103 
123 
 
226 
959 
           
Direct expenses
         
  - staff
(18)
(20)
 
(38)
(158)
  - other
(26)
(14)
 
(40)
(166)
Indirect expenses
(17)
(13)
 
(30)
(117)
 
(61)
(47)
 
(108)
(441)
Impairment losses
(14)
(25)
 
(39)
(199)
Operating profit
28 
51 
 
79 
319 
           
Analysis of income by product
         
Loans and advances
28 
71 
 
99 
436 
Deposits
22 
33 
 
55 
245 
Mortgages
33 
 
33 
134 
Other
20 
19 
 
39 
144 
Total income
103 
123 
 
226 
959 
           
Net interest margin
4.66% 
2.88% 
 
3.55% 
3.57% 
Employee numbers (full time equivalents rounded to the nearest hundred)
2,800 
1,600 
 
4,400 
4,400 

 
Division
 
Total
 
UK 
Retail 
UK 
Corporate 
Markets 
 
31 March 
2012 
31 December 
2011 
 
£bn 
£bn 
£bn 
 
£bn 
£bn 
             
Capital and balance sheet
           
Total third party assets (excluding mark-to-market derivatives)
7.1 
11.6 
 
18.7 
18.9 
Loans and advances to customers (gross)
7.3 
12.0 
 
19.3 
19.5 
Customer deposits
8.7 
12.7 
 
21.4 
21.8 
Derivative assets
0.4 
 
0.4 
0.4 
Derivative liabilities
 
0.1 
Risk elements in lending
0.5 
1.0 
 
1.5 
1.5 
Loan:deposit ratio
80% 
91% 
 
86% 
86% 
Risk-weighted assets
3.6 
6.9 
 
10.5 
11.1