News Summary: RBS posts $9B annual loss

Published February 28, 2013 5:51pm ET



PUTTING A LID ON IT: Royal Bank of Scotland said Thursday it lost $9 billion in 2012, setting aside more cash in the fourth quarter to compensate customers and to pay fines related to a rate-rigging scandal.

CHASTENED: Chief Executive Stephen Hester acknowledged that it would take time to rebuild public trust dented by what he described as a “chastening year.” The bank is now 82 percent owned by British taxpayers after a government bailout.

THE OUTLOOK: Hester said the bank would return to private ownership in the next few years. He announced that it was time to begin preparing for the partial sale of its U.S.-based Citizens Bank, which will probably take place in about two years.