Following the sale of an additional 89 million shares in NatWest on Thursday, the UK government lost its position as the largest shareholder in the bank, which had previously held an 84% stake, and fell to 4.82% for the first time since its crisis-era bailout.
With a 5.72% stake, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) is currently NatWest’s biggest investor, per LSEG data.
In a statement, a representative for the NatWest Group stated,
“We share with the government the goal of returning the bank to full private ownership, which we believe is in the best interests of all our shareholders.”
The bank is expected to revert to full private control “sometime in 2025,” according to a February statement from Paul Thwaite, CEO of NatWest.
However, based on the current rate of share sales, economists predicted that the government withdrawal might occur as early as June.
The bank has also purchased shares directly from the government using surplus funds; the most recent acquisition, which cost £1 billion, was made in November.
The government’s departure would put an end to a “sorry tale” for the lender and the nation, according to Chair Rick Haythornthwaite’s statement from last April.
As of 1102 GMT, NatWest’s stock, which has increased 74% over the last 12 months, was down 1.6% at 439.1 pence.
A much longer than other banks saved during the 2008–2009 financial crisis, NatWest has been listed on the public record.
From almost 38% in December 2023 to less than 10% in December 2024, the government’s share has nevertheless quickly decreased in recent months.
Rival Lloyds Banking Group was fully restored to private ownership in May 2017.
