FORM 6-K

FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549


Report of Foreign Private Issuer

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


For the month of February 2008

Commission File Number: 001-10306

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RBS, Gogarburn, PO Box 1000
Edinburgh EH12 1HQ

(Address of principal executive offices)

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

Form 20-F    X     Form 40-F        

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

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

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

Yes           No    X  


If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________





The following information was issued as Company announcements, in London, England and is furnished pursuant to General Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K: ________



 

Annual Results 2007

Annual Results

for the year ended

31 December 2007
 
 
 
 
 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
 

CONTENTS

Page

   

Forward-looking statements

2

   

Acquisition of ABN AMRO

3

   

2007 highlights

4

   

2007 results summary - Group including ABN AMRO

5

   

2007 results summary - excluding ABN AMRO

6

   

Group Chief Executive's review

7

   

Summary consolidated income statement

12

   

Financial review

13

   

Description of business

16

   

Divisional performance

18

 

Corporate Markets

19

 

-

Global Banking & Markets

20

 

-

UK Corporate Banking

22

 

Retail Markets

23

 

-

Retail

24

 

-

Wealth Management

26

 

Ulster Bank

27

 

Citizens

28

 

RBS Insurance

30

 

Manufacturing

32

 

Central items

33

 

ABN AMRO

34

   

Average balance sheet – excluding ABN AMRO

36

   

Average balance sheet – including ABN AMRO

37

   

STATUTORY RESULTS

38

   

Condensed consolidated income statement

39

   

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

40

   

Overview of condensed consolidated balance sheet

41

   

Condensed consolidated statement of recognised income and expense

43

   

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

44

   

Notes

45

   

Analysis of income, expenses and impairment losses

53

   

Regulatory ratios

54

   

Asset quality

 
 

Analysis of loans and advances to customers

55

 

Risk elements in lending

56

   

Credit market exposures

57

   

Fair value – financial instruments

59

   

Derivatives

60

   

Market risk

61

   

Other information

63

   

Restatements

64

   

Financial calendar

65

   

Contacts

65


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


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’, ‘should’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘probability’, ‘risk’, ‘Value-at-Risk (“VaR”)’, ‘target’, ‘goal’, ‘objective’, ‘will’, ‘endeavour’, ‘outlook’, 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on such expressions and sections such as ‘Group Chief Executive’s review’ and ‘Financial review'.


In particular, this document includes forward-looking statements relating, but not limited, to 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. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. For example, certain of the 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: general economic conditions in the UK and in other countries in which the Group has significant business activities or investments, including the United States; the monetary and interest rate policies of the Bank of England, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other G-7 central banks; inflation; deflation; unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices; changes in UK and foreign laws, regulations and taxes; changes in competition and pricing environments; natural and other disasters; the inability to hedge certain risks economically; the adequacy of loss reserves; acquisitions or restructurings; technological changes; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; 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 report, 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 ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

Acquisition of ABN AMRO

On 17 October 2007, RFS Holdings B.V. ("RFS Holdings''), a company jointly owned by RBS, Fortis N.V., Fortis SA/NV (" Fortis" ) and Banco Santander S.A. (" Santander" ) (together, the "Consortium Banks'') and controlled by RBS, completed the acquisition of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ("ABN AMRO'').
 
In due course, RFS Holdings will implement an orderly separation of the business units of ABN AMRO with RBS retaining the following ABN AMRO business units:

Continuing businesses of Business Unit North America;

 

Business Unit Global Clients and wholesale clients in the Netherlands

   (including former Dutch wholesale clients) and Latin America (excluding Brazil);

Business Unit Asia (excluding Saudi Hollandi); and

Business Unit Europe (excluding Antonveneta).

Certain other assets will continue to be shared by the Consortium Banks.

Statutory results

RFS Holdings is jointly owned by the Consortium Banks. It is controlled by RBS and is therefore fully consolidated in its financial statements. Consequently, the statutory results of the RBS Group for the year ended 31 December 2007 include the results of ABN AMRO for the period from 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007. The interests of Fortis and Santander are included in minority interests.

Presentation of ABN AMRO

The financial review in this Company Announcement focuses on RBS excluding ABN AMRO in order to provide a meaningful comparison with the prior year. The performance of ABN AMRO for the period from 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007 is discussed separately.
 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


2007 HIGHLIGHTS

RBS GROUP – including ABN AMRO
1


·     

Group operating profit2 up 9% to £10,282 million


·     

Profit after tax up 19% to £7,712 million


·     

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share up 18% to 78.7 p


·     

Total dividend up 10% to 33.2p


·     

Tier 1 capital ratio 7.3%


·     

Total capital ratio 11.2%


·     

Underlying performance of retained ABN AMRO businesses in line with expectations


·     

Synergies increased by 33% to €2.3 billion


·     

Improved financial returns and earnings accretion


RBS - excluding ABN AMRO


·     

Operating profit up 9% to £10,298 million


·     

Profit after tax up 22% to £7,940 million


·     

A djusted earnings per ordinary share up 22% to 81.7p


·     

Income up 3% to £28,864 million


·     

Cost:income ratio down to 40.7 % from 42.1%


·     

Impairment losses declined to 0.40% of loans and advances from 0.46% in 2006


·     

Average customer deposits up 11%


·     

Average customer lending up 10%


·     

Net interest margin 2.46%, compared with 2.47% in 2006


·     

Adjusted return on equity 20.4%, up from 19.0%



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

2007 RESULTS SUMMARY - GROUP INCLUDING ABN AMRO *

 

2007

 

2006

 

Increase

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m 

           


Total income

31,115

 

28,002

 

3,113 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Operating expenses (1)

14,053

 

12,252

 

1,801 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Operating profit before impairment losses (1)

12,410

 

11,292

 

1,118 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Group operating profit ( 2 )

10,282

 

9,414

 

868 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Purchased intangibles amortisation

274

 

94

 

180 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Integration costs

108

 

134

 

(26)

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Profit before tax

9,900

 

9,186

 

714 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Basic earnings per ordinary share

76.4p

 

64.9p

 

11.5p

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (3)

78.7p

 

66.7p

 

12.0p

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

* includes ABN AMRO from date of acquisition
 
 

(1)

excluding purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.

(2)

profit before tax, purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.

(3)

adjusted earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings adjusted for purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.

Sir Fred Goodwin, Group Chief Executive, said:

" It is tempting to think of the task before us in 2008 only in terms of the integration of ABN AMRO, and delivery of the substantial cost and revenue synergies. To do so, however, would overlook the real opportunities  for the enlarged Group.
 
Whilst the future seems as difficult as ever to predict, it is clear that we enter 2008 with real momentum behind our organic growth, and with our product range, distribution capabilities and customer franchises materially enhanced. Coupled with our greater presence in the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, there is much to be done, but a confidence that it will be, to the benefit of our shareholders, our customers and our staff."


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

2007 RESULTS SUMMARY - EXCLUDING ABN AMRO

 

2007

 

2006

 

Increase

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m 

           

Total income

28,864

 

28,002

 

862 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Operating expenses (1)

12,173

 

12,252

 

(79)

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Operating profit before impairment losses (1)

12,163

 

11,292

 

871 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Group operating profit (2)

10,298

 

9,414

 

884 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Purchased intangibles amortisation

124

 

94

 

30 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Integration costs

108

 

134

 

(26)

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Profit before tax

10,066

 

9,186

 

880 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_____

Cost:income ratio (3)

40.7%

 

42.1%

   
 

_______

 

_______

   

(1)

excluding purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.

(2)

profit before tax, purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.

(3)

the cost:income ratio is based on total income and operating expenses as defined in (1) above, and after netting operating lease depreciation against rental income.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW
 

2007 for The Royal Bank of Scotland Group was defined by another strong operating performance and by the acquisition of ABN AMRO.
 
The diversity and quality of our business platform enabled us to deliver good financial results, with operating profit for the enlarged RBS Group rising by 9% to £10,282 million. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 18% to 78.7p. Our earnings momentum remained powerful, notwithstanding the impact of challenging credit market conditions in the second half of the year.
 
Our Group headline results reflect the inclusion of the whole of ABN AMRO, whose results from 17 October 2007 are consolidated in our statutory accounts. ABN AMRO has enhanced the diversity of the Group, giving us a pre-eminent position in global corporate banking and providing us with new capabilities in transaction banking while presenting additional retail and commercial growth opportunities in Asia and the Middle-East.

RBS excluding ABN AMRO

Our operating performance in 2007 is best seen in the results of RBS excluding the 76 days of ownership of ABN AMRO. We continued our strong momentum, with total income increasing by 3% to £28,864 million and operating profit by 9% to £10,298 million. Adjusted earnings per share rose by 22% to 81.7p, benefiting from a lower than usual tax rate of 21%.
 

These results have been held back by the second half credit market deterioration, which led our Global Banking & Markets division to incur write-downs on its US mortgage-related and leveraged finance exposures. The valuations of our credit market positions have been stable since our trading update in December. However, the weakening credit profile of some financial guarantors has caused us to mark down the value of our positions with these counterparties. During 2007 we also made £119 million of goodwill payments to customers in respect of current account fees. After deducting costs and adjusting for fair value gains on liabilities, these one-off elements reduced RBS’s profit in 2007 by £1,163 million.

We also realised good gains on the planned disposal of a number of non-strategic assets, including Southern Water. The gains increased profit by £1,187 million after deducting costs and fees, almost exactly offsetting the effects of the negative one-offs, so the headline operating profit reflects our underlying performance.
 
Our businesses demonstrated the value of diversification, delivering good growth in our major customer bases in corporate, commercial and retail banking. We achieved particularly strong performances in UK Corporate Banking, Retail, Ulster and Wealth Management. Total RBS income rose by 3% to £28,864 million, while costs were reduced by 1% to £12,173 million, resulting in a further improvement in the cost:income ratio to 40.7%.
Against a weaker economic backdrop in the US, Citizens, whilst performing well relative to its peers, experienced testing conditions, while otherwise good results in Insurance were set back by the exceptionally severe flooding that affected many of our UK customers in June and July.
 
Overall credit metrics remained very strong, and impairment losses declined by 1% to £1,865 million. As a result of our cautious approach to the UK personal credit market, in particular to the direct loans market, we achieved a further reduction in UK personal impairments, and the credit quality of our UK corporate customers remained stable in 2007. We have taken active steps to manage our risk profile and ensure that our lending portfolio remains appropriately positioned, nowhere more so than in the US, where the overall quality of our book remains high but we have experienced a reversion from the low levels of impairment seen in recent years.

 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW (continued)

Our Businesses

In 2007 we benefited from our diverse income streams and the quality of our franchises. We were able to use our platform to increase activity in attractive markets, while moving away from areas where the risk:return equation was less positive, ensuring the Group’s underlying earnings momentum remained strong.
 

Global Banking & Markets enjoyed another strong first half performance and took full advantage of the market volatility in the second half to deliver excellent performances in interest rate and currency trading. Inevitably, the second half witnessed significantly lower origination volumes in credit markets as well as write-downs on its sub-prime related exposures, leaving operating profit for the year at £3,687 million, 2% lower than 2006’s record figure.
 

UK Corporate Banking had another successful year, with operating profit up 11% to £1,961 million. By continuing to invest in service quality we have now achieved market-leading customer satisfaction scores, helping us to increase customer numbers by 4%.
 

Retail delivered a strong performance, increasing operating profit by 10% to £2,470 million. We achieved strong growth in savings and investment products while maintaining a cautious approach to personal credit. Earnings momentum built over the course of the year, with a strong second half reflecting good growth in savings balances and a further reduction in unsecured credit defaults. Our success in developing our franchise is built on customer satisfaction, and on this metric RBS and NatWest maintained their lead over the other major High Street banks.
 

Wealth Management’s growth trajectory remains very strong, with operating profit increasing by 30% to £413 million as we continued to expand Coutts UK’s regional franchise and achieved significant growth in both customer numbers and income in the Asia-Pacific region. Our growth opportunities in Asia-Pacific are significantly enhanced as a result of the Group’s increased presence in the region.
 

Ulster Bank has maintained its strong growth record, notwithstanding a moderation in the pace of Ireland’s economic expansion, with operating profit rising by 22% to £513 million. We have continued to invest in the good opportunities for future growth presented by the Irish banking market.
 

Citizens has continued to develop its franchise, increasing its consumer banking customer base by 2% and achieving good results in its growing corporate and commercial banking operations. Market conditions remain difficult, however, and we continued to respond to challenging income prospects with tight cost control. The credit quality of the Citizens portfolio is high, although we have seen impairment losses reverting from the very low levels seen in recent years, resulting in a 9% decrease in operating profit to $2,647 million. With the dollar weaker over the year, this decline was more marked in sterling terms.
 
In
RBS Insurance, we have built on our strong position as the UK’s leading personal lines insurer by further sharpening our focus on selective underwriting of the more profitable segments, reducing volumes in some less profitable segments. Results were held back by the £274 million impact of the floods that resulted from the UK’s wettest summer for 250 years, and excluding this, operating profit increased by 28%. Including the adverse effects of the floods, operating profit declined by 9% to £683 million.
 

Manufacturing is central to the way we operate, underpinning our determination to deliver efficient, consistent and reliable service to our customers while deriving scale benefits achievable from sharing infrastructure, processes and services across our businesses. We held costs to £2,914 million, just 1% higher than in 2006, despite continued investment in technology and property to support increased transaction volumes and the development of our business.
 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW (continued)

ABN AMRO
 

The acquisition of ABN AMRO gives us the ability to accelerate our existing strategies for growth outside the UK, particularly in rapidly expanding markets, while adding complementary product capabilities and customer franchises to our portfolio of businesses.

As a result of the acquisition, our Global Banking & Markets division can lay claim to be the pre-eminent corporate bank globally for large corporates, financial institutions and governments. It has top 5 rankings across a broad range of products, extended global reach and leading customer franchises in the UK and Continental Europe and top 5 customer franchises in the US and Asia-Pacific.
 
Underpinning this position is the global transaction banking strength of the enlarged Group, which will deepen customer relationships and provide further opportunities to cross-sell GBM’s strong product capabilities. ABN AMRO is one of a small number of banks with global scale and competence in international payments, trade finance and cash management and it would have been extremely difficult to develop an equivalent business organically.
 
Similarly, while we have over recent years sought to develop our activities in fast-growing markets in Asia, the Middle-East and Eastern Europe and have achieved strong growth in GBM and Wealth Management, ABN AMRO now significantly expands our presence in many new markets.
 
The integration has made a strong start, and we have identified additional cost savings and revenue benefits over and above those we originally anticipated. We now expect to achieve cost savings totalling €1,596 million in three years, 21% more than we originally indicated. We have identified another €100m of net revenue benefits in Global Banking & Markets and €200m in the International Retail businesses, bringing the total for net revenue benefits we expect to achieve in three years to €688 million. All told, integration benefits are now expected to total €2.3 billion, compared with our original estimate of €1.7 billion.
 
Applying these increased synergies to the financial targets originally announced in our offer would have yielded increased accretion in adjusted earnings per share of 9%, a return on investment in 2010 of 16% and an internal rate of return of 18%.
 
We completed our transition plans on schedule and now have the support of the relevant staff bodies for the plan. We expect to make further rapid progress in separating businesses over the course of this year.
 
After reviewing the assets acquired and considering the practicalities and economics of separating them, we transferred the Global Clients activities in Brazil to Santander for a consideration of €750 million, and there may be further smaller adjustments to the original allocation between the Consortium partners.
 

For 2007 as a whole, the ABN AMRO businesses that will be retained by RBS made an underlying operating profit of £439 million. We have concluded our initial review of the ABN AMRO balance sheet and applying RBS valuation methodologies have recorded a reduction of £978 million in the carrying value of financial instruments we acquired. While credit market activities reflected the prevailing market conditions, equities, currencies and rates all achieved good growth. Transaction banking maintained good momentum and the Asian retail operations achieved very strong growth.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW (continued)

Capital

The Group’s Tier 1 capital ratio at 31 December was 7.3% and our total capital ratio 11.2 %. We remain within our target ranges of 7%-8% for Tier 1 and 11% to 12% for total capital. Our core Tier 1 ratio was 4.5% at year end. At the time of the bid for ABN AMRO we indicated that it was our intention to continue to rebuild our capital ratios and revert to a preference capital content in the range 25% to 30%. We remain committed to this goal, and the improved financial returns now expected on the acquisition will help to accelerate delivery of the Group’s capital regeneration commitments.
 

F rom January 1 2008 the Basel II capital framework came into effect in many of the key markets in which the Group operates, with the notable exception of the US. We have received approval from the Financial Services Authority to adopt the Advanced Internal Ratings Based approach to calculating capital requirements for the majority of our businesses, placing us among the small number of banks whose risk systems and approaches have achieved the advanced standard for credit – the most sophisticated available under Basel II. Our reported capital ratios are expected to be similar to their Basel I equivalents.
 

The Board is recommending a final dividend of 23.1p, making a total of 33.2p for the full year, an increase of 10%. This represents a payout ratio of 42 %.
 

Group structure
 

RBS’s organisational architecture has remained largely unchanged since 2000, but it now needs to evolve to recognise our presence in over 50 countries and to facilitate the integration and operation of our expanded footprint. This new organisational structure will give us the right framework for managing the enlarged Group in a way that fully capitalises on the enhanced range of attractive growth opportunities now available to us.
 
Some of our businesses can best serve our customers’ needs by organising themselves on a global basis, while others are best managed with a more regional focus. We have therefore established Global Markets, which is made up of two divisions, Global Banking & Markets (GBM) and Global Transaction Services (GTS). The first of these corresponds largely to the existing GBM, enhanced by the related product capabilities and customer franchises of ABN AMRO. GTS will combine ABN AMRO’s world class capability in international payments with our substantial existing corporate transaction banking and merchant acquiring activities. This new division ranks among the top five payments businesses in the world with pro forma operating profit of approximately £1.6 billion in 2007. Both GTS and GBM will report to Johnny Cameron as Chairman, Global Markets.
 
The remainder of our banking franchises have more distinctively national or regional characteristics and it makes sense to continue to manage them on this basis. We are now represented in an expanded range of countries, and in order to ensure effective coordination and control we have regrouped our retail and commercial banking activities into four regional divisions: UK Retail and Commercial Banking, US Retail and Commercial Banking, Europe and Middle East Retail and Commercial Banking, and Asia Retail and Commercial Banking. Gordon Pell will oversee these divisions as Chairman, Regional Markets.
 

RBS Insurance is a distinctive business and will retain its existing structure and strategy.
 

We will maintain and build on the Group’s Manufacturing model, which has proved so effective in driving efficiency in our UK activities, and will now extend this across the Group globally, with Ron Teerlink moving from his current role at ABN AMRO to become Chief Executive, Group Manufacturing.
 
Provisional pro forma financials for the Group under the revised divisional structure are set out in a separate document.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW (continued)

Outlook
 

It is tempting to think of the task before us in 2008 only in terms of the integration of ABN AMRO, and delivery of the substantial cost and revenue synergies. To do so, however, would overlook the real opportunities for the enlarged Group.
 
Whilst the future seems as difficult as ever to predict, it is clear that we enter 2008 with real momentum behind our organic growth, and with our product range, distribution capabilities and customer franchises materially enhanced. Coupled with our greater presence in the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, there is much to be done, but a confidence that it will be, to the benefit of our shareholders, our customers and our staff.

Sir Fred Goodwin
Group Chief Executive

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007


In the income statement set out below, amortisation of purchased intangible assets and integration costs are shown separately. In the statutory income statement on page 39, these items are included in operating expenses.

 

*Group

       
 

including

 

Excluding

   
 

ABN AMRO

 

ABN AMRO

   
 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

           

Net interest income

12,668

 

11,377

 

10,596

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Non-interest income (excluding insurance net premium income)

12,338

 

11,505

 

11,433

Insurance net premium income

6,109

 

5,982

 

5,973

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Non-interest income

18,447

 

17,487

 

17,406

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

31,115

 

28,864

 

28,002

Operating expenses

14,053

 

12,173

 

12,252

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Profit before other operating charges

17,062

 

16,691

 

15,750

Insurance net claims

4,652

 

4,528

 

4,458

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit before impairment losses

12,410

 

12,163

 

11,292

Impairment losses

2,128

 

1,865

 

1,878

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Profit before tax, purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs

10,282

 

10,298

 

9,414

Amortisation of purchased intangible assets

274

 

124

 

94

Integration costs

108

 

108

 

134

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Profit before tax

9,900

 

10,066

 

9,186

Tax

2,052

 

2,126

 

2,689

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

136

 

 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Profit for the year

7,712

 

7,940

 

6,497

Minority interests

163

 

149

 

104

Other owners

246

 

246

 

191

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

7,303

 

7,545

 

6,202

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           
           

Basic earnings per ordinary share (Note 4)

76.4p

     

64.9p

 

_______

     

_______

           

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (Note 4)

78.7p

     

66.7p

 

_______

     

_______


* includes ABN AMRO from date of acquisition.




THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


FINANCIAL REVIEW

The following discussion is based on the results of the Group excluding the contribution of ABN AMRO, which is discussed separately on page 35.

GROUP (excluding ABN AMRO)

Profit

Profit before tax was up 10%, from £9,186 million to £10,066 million. Group operating profit increased by 9% or £884 million, from £9,414 million to £10,298 million.


Total income

The Group achieved strong growth in income during 2007. Total income was up 3% or £862 million to £28,864 million, notwithstanding the significant impact of the developments in global credit markets in the second half of 2007.

Net interest income increased by 7% to £11,377 million and represents 39% of total income (2006 – 38%). Average loans and advances to customers and average customer deposits grew by 10% and 11% respectively.

Non-interest income increased by £81 million to £17,487 million and represents 61% of total income (2006 – 62%).

Net interest margin

The Group’s net interest margin at 2.46% was down marginally from 2.47% in 2006.


Operating expenses

Operating expenses, excluding purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs, decreased by 1% to £12,173 million.

Cost:income ratio

The Group's cost:income ratio was 40.7% compared with 42.1% in 2006.


Net insurance claims

Bancassurance and general insurance claims, after reinsurance, increased by 2% to £4,528 million reflecting adverse weather conditions in the summer of 2007. Excluding the impact of the floods in the summer, net insurance claims dec reased by 7 %.


Impairment losses

Impairment losses fell 1% to £1,865 million, compared with £1,878 million in 2006.

Risk elements in lending and potential problem loans represented 1.49% of gross loans and advances to customers excluding reverse repos at 31 December 2007 (2006 – 1.57%).

Provision coverage of risk elements in lending and potential problem loans was 61% (2006 – 62%).

Integration

Integration costs were £108 million compared with £134 million in 2006.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)


Taxation

The effective tax rate for 2007 was 21.1% (2006 – 29.3%). The headline rate is lower than the standard rate of UK corporation tax of 30% principally due to certain non-taxable capital gains and changes to deferred tax balances following the change in rate of corporation tax.
 

Earnings

Basic earnings per ordinary share increased by 23%, from 64.9p to 79.8p. Earnings per ordinary share adjusted for purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs increased by 22%, from 66.7p to 81.7p.


Restatements      
Divisional results for 2006 have been restated to reflect transfers of businesses between divisions in 2007. These changes do not affect the Group’s results. A divisional analysis of these restatements is set out on page 64.

The number of ordinary shares in issue and per share data for the prior year have been restated to reflect the bonus issue in May 2007.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

GROUP – INCLUDING ABN AMRO
 
Capital

Capital ratios at 31 December 2007 were 7.3% (Tier 1) and 11.2% (Total).

Profitability

The adjusted after-tax return on ordinary equity, which is based on profit attributable to ordinary shareholders before purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs, and average ordinary equity, was 19.9% compared with 19.0% in 2006.

Bonus issue

In May 2007, the Group capitalised £1,576 million of its share premium account by way of a bonus issue of two new ordinary shares of 25p each for every one held.
 

Dividends

A final dividend of 23.1p per ordinary share is recommended, giving a total dividend for the year of 33.2p, an increase of 10%. If approved, the final dividend will be paid on 6 June 2008 to shareholders registered on 7 March 2008. The total dividend is covered 2.4 times by earnings before purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
 

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS


Corporate Markets is focused on the provision of debt and risk management services to medium and large businesses and financial institutions in the UK and around the world. Its activities have been organised into two businesses, Global Banking & Markets and UK Corporate Banking, in order to enhance our focus on the distinct needs of these two customer segments.


    Global Banking & Markets is a leading banking partner to major corporations and financial institutions around the world, providing an extensive range of debt financing, risk management and

    investment services to its customers.

 

UK Corporate Banking is the largest provider of banking, finance and risk management services to UK corporate customers. Through its network of relationship managers across the country

it distributes the full range of Corporate Markets’ products and services to companies.


Retail Markets leads the co-ordination and delivery of our multi-brand retail strategy across our product range and comprises Retail and Wealth Management.


Retail comprises both The Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest retail brands. It offers a full range of banking products and related financial services to the personal, premium and small

business (SMEs) markets through the largest network of branches and ATMs in the UK, as well as through telephone and internet banking. Retail is the UK market leader in SME banking.
     Retail issues a comprehensive range of credit and charge cards and other financial products through The Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and other brands, including MINT, 

First Active UK and Tesco Personal Finance. It is the leading merchant acquirer in Europe and ranks 3rd globally.


Wealth Management provides private banking and investment services to its global clients through Coutts Group, Adam & Company, The Royal Bank of Scotland International and NatWest Offshore.


Ulster Bank, including First Active, provides a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Retail Banking has a network of branches throughout Ireland and operates in the personal, commercial and wealth management sectors. Corporate Markets provides a wide range of services in the corporate and institutional markets. RBS's European Consumer Finance ("ECF") activities, previously part of RBS Retail Markets, are now managed within Ulster Bank. ECF provides consumer finance products, particularly card-based revolving credits and fixed-term loans, in Germany and the Benelux countries.


Citizens is engaged in retail and corporate banking activities through its branch network in 13 states in the United States and through non-branch offices in other states. Citizens was ranked the 9th largest commercial banking organisation in the US based on deposits as at 30 September 2007. Citizens Financial Group includes two banks, RBS Citizens, NA and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, which operate under the Citizens brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and under the Charter One brand in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Citizens also includes RBS Lynk, our US merchant acquiring business, and Kroger Personal Finance, our credit card joint venture with the second largest US supermarket group.


RBS Insurance sells and underwrites retail and SME insurance over the telephone and internet, as well as through brokers and partnerships. Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege sell general insurance products direct to the customer. Through its International Division, RBS Insurance sells general insurance, mainly motor, in Spain, Germany and Italy. The Intermediary and Broker Division sells general insurance products through independent brokers.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (continued)

Manufacturing supports the customer-facing businesses and provides operational technology, customer support in telephony, account management, lending and money transmission, global purchasing, property and other services. Manufacturing drives efficiencies and supports income growth across multiple brands and channels by using a single, scalable platform and common processes wherever possible. It also leverages the Group’s purchasing power and has become the centre of excellence for managing large-scale and complex change.


The expenditure incurred by Manufacturing relates to costs principally in respect of the Group's banking and insurance operations in the UK and Ireland. These costs reflect activities that are shared between the various customer-facing divisions and consequently cannot be directly attributed to individual divisions. Instead, the Group monitors and controls each of its customer-facing divisions on revenue generation and direct costs whilst in Manufacturing such control is exercised through appropriate efficiency measures and targets. For financial reporting purposes the Manufacturing costs have been allocated to the relevant customer-facing divisions on a basis management considers to be reasonable.

The Centre comprises group and corporate functions, such as capital raising, finance, risk management, legal, communications and human resources. The Centre manages the Group’s capital requirements and Group-wide regulatory projects and provides services to the operating divisions.

ABN AMRO is a major international banking group with a leading position in international payments and a strong investment banking franchise with particular strengths in emerging markets, as well as offering a range of retail and commercial banking services in Asia and the Middle East, Europe, the Netherlands, North America and Latin America. On 17 October 2007 the majority of ABN AMRO’s share capital was acquired by RFS Holdings, which is in turn owned jointly by RBS, Fortis and Santander. The businesses of ABN AMRO to be retained by RBS comprise principally its global wholesale businesses and its international retail businesses in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle-East.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


DIVISIONAL PERFORMANCE
 

The profit before amortisation of purchased intangible assets and integration costs and after allocation of Manufacturing costs where appropriate, of each division is detailed below, and is described as 'operating profit' in the divisional analyses that follow. The allocations of Manufacturing costs are shown separately in the results for each division.
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

Increase 

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

Corporate Markets

         

-

Global Banking & Markets

3,687 

 

3,779 

 

(2)

-

UK Corporate Banking

1,961 

 

1,762 

 

11 

Total Corporate Markets

5,648 

 

5,541 

 

Retail Markets

         

-

Retail

2,470 

 

2,250 

 

10 

-

Wealth Management

413 

 

318 

 

30 

Total Retail Markets

2,883 

 

2,568 

 

12 

Ulster Bank

513 

 

421 

 

22 

Citizens

1,323 

 

1,582 

 

(16)

RBS Insurance

683 

 

749 

 

(9)

Manufacturing

 

 

Central items

(752)

 

(1,447)

 

48 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Group operating profit (excluding ABN AMRO)

10,298 

 

9,414 

 

9  

ABN AMRO (1)

128 

 

 

Central items

(144)

 

 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Group operating profit (including ABN AMRO)

10,282 

 

9,414 

 

9  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______


Risk-weighted assets of each division were as follows:

 

2007

 

2006

 

£bn

 

£bn

Corporate Markets

     

-

Global Banking & Markets

152.6

 

138.1

-

UK Corporate Banking

104.6

 

93.1

Total Corporate Markets

257.2

 

231.2

Retail Markets

     

-

Retail

73.3

 

70.6

-

Wealth Management

7.5

 

6.4

Total Retail Markets

80.8

 

77.0

Ulster Bank

36.0

 

29.7

Citizens

57.1

 

57.6

Other

9.5

 

4.8

 

_______

 

_______

 

440.6

 

400.3

ABN AMRO

168.4

 

-

 

_______

 

_______

 

609.0

 

400.3

 

_______

 

_______

Note:

(1)     

ABN AMRO excludes discontinued operations: Antonveneta, Business Unit Asset Management and Business Unit Private Equity.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

CORPORATE MARKETS
 
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       
       

Net interest income from banking activities

4,111

 

3,805

Non-interest income

6,211

 

6,488

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

10,322

 

10,293

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

2,457

 

2,539

-

other

732

 

628

-

operating lease depreciation

684

 

736

 

_______

 

_______

 

3,873

 

3,903

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

6,449

 

6,390

Impairment losses

219

 

274

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

6,230

 

6,116

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

582

 

575

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

5,648

 

5,541

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total assets*

682.1

 

472.4

Loans and advances to customers – gross*

     

-

banking book

221.7

 

181.1

-

trading book

20.0

 

15.4

Rental assets

12.0

 

13.9

Customer deposits*

159.5

 

132.6

Risk-weighted assets

257.2

 

231.2

 

_______

 

_______

* excluding reverse repos and repos


Corporate Markets grew operating profit in 2007 by 2% to £ 5,648 million , notwithstanding difficult conditions in global credit markets. Total income was flat at £ 10,322 million , as the credit market deterioration in the second half of the year resulted in substantial write-downs in Global Banking & Markets income , but good progress in UK Corporate Banking combined with tight expense control and declining impairments lifted profits.


Average loans and advances to customers, excluding reverse repos, grew by 17 % and average customer deposits (excluding repos) by 19 %. The portfolio remains well diversified by counterparty, sector and geography, and the average credit grade continues to improve. Assets grew strongly outside the UK, particularly in Western Europe and Asia. Overall corporate credit conditions remained benign, and impairment losses represented 0.1% of loans and advances to customers. R isk-weighted assets rose by 11%.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

CORPORATE MARKETS – GLOBAL BANKING & MARKETS

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income from banking activities

1,785

 

1,632

 

_______

 

_______

Net fees and commissions receivable

1,368

 

1,032

Trading activities

849

 

2,211

Income from rental assets (net of related funding costs)

679

 

677

Other operating income (net of related funding costs)

1,899

 

1,279

 

_______

 

_______

Non-interest income

4,795

 

5,199

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

6,580

 

6,831

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

1,826

 

1,975

-

other

518

 

442

-

operating lease depreciation

365

 

406

 

_______

 

_______

 

2,709

 

2,823

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

3,871

 

4,008

Impairment losses

39

 

85

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

3,832

 

3,923

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

145

 

144

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

3,687

 

3,779

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total assets*

579.4

 

383.7

Loans and advances to customers – gross*

     

-

banking book

121.1

 

94.3

-

trading book

20.0

 

15.4

Rental assets

10.2

 

12.2

Customer deposits*

72.9

 

54.1

Risk-weighted assets

152.6

 

138.1

 

_______

 

_______

* excluding reverse repos and repos

Global Banking & Markets (GBM) achieved strong performances in many of its businesses in 2007, with particularly strong growth in interest rate and currency trading activities, but financial results were held back by challenging credit market conditions in the second half of the year. Operating profit was £3,687 million, 2% lower than 2006’s record result.
 
While many parts of GBM grew strongly, total income
of £6,580 million was 4% lower than in 2006, reflecting both cumulative 2007 write-downs of our sub-prime-related and leveraged finance positions and an additional £456 million i n response to the weakening credit profile of certain financial guarantors.
 

These losses were partially offset by a reduction of £123 million in the carrying value of our own debt and by a gain of £950 million realised on the sale of Southern Water. The resulting reduction in profit, net of write-downs, gains and variable costs, was £484 million. Excluding these effects, underlying income rose by 8% and underlying operating profit by 10%, reflecting the business’s continued operating momentum.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

CORPORATE MARKETS – GLOBAL BANKING & MARKETS (continued)

The strength of GBM and the successful diversification of its product capabilities resulted in a continuation of the strong growth we have achieved in Asia and continental Europe in recent years. In Asia we have now established a solid platform, with good product capabilities and client relationships. In 2007 this resulted in Asian income growing by 96%, with outstanding growth in our activities in China and Japan. In Europe, income grew by 39%, with particularly good results in the Nordic region and in the Iberian Peninsula, where GBM further expanded its strong position in the provision of financing and risk management services to corporates and financial institutions. Income in the UK grew by 21%, while results in North America declined as a result of credit market conditions affecting GBM’s asset-backed and structured credit businesses.
 
Net interest income increased by 9% to £1,785 million. Average loans and advances to customers, excluding reverse repos, increased by 22% as we expanded our customer base outside the UK and average customer deposits increased by 25%.
 
Net fee income rose by 33% to £1,368 million, reflecting our top tier position in arranging, structuring and distributing large scale financings. We achieved particularly strong growth in non-US loan markets.
 
Income from trading activities declined by £1,362 million. Interest rate and currency trading activities took advantage of increased volatility leading to income growth of 78% and 48% respectively. These strong performances were supplemented by good growth in our broadening product range, including equity derivatives and retail investor products. However, in credit markets write-downs reflecting the weakening of the US housing market led to a sharp fall in income.

 
Rental and other asset-based activities achieved continuing success in originating, structuring, financing and managing physical assets such as aircraft, trains, ships and real estate for our customers. Income from rental assets, net of related funding costs and operating lease depreciation, increased by 16% to £314 million.
 
Other operating income increased to £1,899 million, net of related funding costs, including the successful sale of Southern Water concluded during the second half.
The majority of our remaining private equity portfolio has been sold into a fund, managed by RBS, thereby improving capital efficiency while offering more predictable and stable returns.
 

Costs were reduced by 4% to £2,854 million, in line with income. We continued to invest in expanding our geographical footprint, our infrastructure and our product range.

Portfolio credit risk remained stable and impairment losses declined to £39 million in 2007, with no deterioration in overall corporate credit quality. The liquidity and profitability of our corporate customers remains generally strong.
 
Total assets increased to £579.4 billion, primarily reflecting an increase of £128.8 billion in derivative assets
(mostly rates and currencies) accompanied by a corresponding increase in derivative liabilities. The increase was a result of the strong growth in client-driven interest rate and currency trading activities in a more volatile market environment. Careful risk and capital management held our risk-weighted assets to £152.6 billion, an increase of 10% over the prior year.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

CORPORATE MARKETS – UK CORPORATE BANKING

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income from banking activities

2,326

 

2,173

Non-interest income

1,416

 

1,289

_______

 

_______

Total income

3,742

 

3,462

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

631

 

564

-

Other

214

 

186

-

operating lease depreciation

319

 

330

 

_______

 

_______

 

1,164

 

1,080

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

2,578

 

2,382

Impairment losses

180

 

189

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

2,398

 

2,193

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

437

 

431

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

1,961

 

1,762

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total assets*

102.7

 

88.7

Loans and advances to customers – gross*

100.6

 

86.8

Customer deposits*

86.6

 

78.5

Risk-weighted assets

104.6

 

93.1

 

_______

 

_______

* excluding reverse repos and repos


UK Corporate Banking had another successful year of profitable growth, building further on our market-leading position and achieving significant improvements in customer satisfaction. Total income rose by 8% to £3,742 million and contribution by 9% to £2,398 million. Operating profit rose by 11% to £1,961 million.


There has been good growth in customer volumes, with average loans and advances up 11% and average deposits up 14%. Net interest income from banking activities increased by 7% to £2,326 million as net interest margin narrowed slightly from the prior year. In recent months we have seen firmer margins in some areas.


Non-interest income rose by 10% to £1,416 million, as a result of growth in fees and continued progress in the distribution of trade and invoice finance products as well as of interest rate and foreign exchange products.


Total expenses rose by 6% to £1,601 million, with investment targeted towards improving customer service. Around 600 new front line roles were created and major new functionality was added to the Bankline electronic banking platform. These initiatives have contributed to strongly favourable customer satisfaction scores in 2007.

Impairment losses totalled £180 million, 5% lower than in 2006, reflecting the strong quality of the portfolio. Corporate credit metrics remained stable.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


RETAIL MARKETS

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income

4,760

 

4,604

Non-interest income

4,030

 

3,851

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

8,790

 

8,455

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

1,699

 

1,616

-

other

742

 

748

 

_______

 

_______

 

2,441

 

2,364

 

_______

 

_______

Insurance net claims

518

 

488

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

5,831

 

5,603

Impairment losses

1,200

 

1,311

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

4,631

 

4,292

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

1,748

 

1,724

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

2,883

 

2,568

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total banking assets

125.1

 

118.4

Loans and advances to customers – gross

     

-

mortgages

72.0

 

69.7

-

personal

21.5

 

20.5

-

cards

8.4

 

8.2

-

business

20.2

 

18.1

Customer deposits*

130.4

 

115.5

Investment management assets – excluding deposits

42.1

 

34.9

Risk-weighted assets

80.8

 

77.0

 

_______

 

_______

* customer deposits exclude bancassurance.


Retail Markets delivered a strong performance in 2007 with operating profit rising by 12% to £2,883 million as a result of good income growth, tight expense control and reduced impairment costs. Total income rose 4% to £8,790 million, and income net of claims also grew by 4% to £8,272 million.

These strong results reflect the emphasis on savings and investment products, our focus on profitability rather than volume in consumer lending, and significant investment in our Wealth Management business in the UK and Asia. Customer deposits increased by 13% to £130.4 billion , while loans and advances grew by 5% to £122.1 billion .
 
The full year results show momentum developing in the business, with operating profit in the second half of the year 14% higher than in the same period of 2006.

Expenses have been kept under tight control, with efficiency gains allowing us to invest and grow the business. Impairment losses maintained the improvement witnessed in the first half of the year, fall ing by 8 % for the year as a whole. Arrears trends on credit cards and unsecured personal loans continued to improve, as did the quality of our asset base.

R isk-weighted assets rose by 5% to £80.8 billion at the end of 2007.
 
 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

RETAIL MARKETS – RETAIL
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income

4,191

 

4,108

Non-interest income

3,571

 

3,458

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

7,762

 

7,566

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

1,361

 

1,317

-

other

614

 

621

 

_______

 

_______

 

1,975

 

1,938

 

_______

 

_______

Insurance net claims

518

 

488

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

5,269

 

5,140

Impairment losses

1,196

 

1,310

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

4,073

 

3,830

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

1,603

 

1,580

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

2,470

 

2,250

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total banking assets

111.1

 

107.4

Loans and advances to customers – gross

     

-

Mortgages

67.3

 

65.6

-

Personal

17.3

 

17.2

-

Cards

8.3

 

8.1

-

Business

18.7

 

16.9

Customer deposits*

96.5

 

87.1

Risk-weighted assets

73.3

 

70.6

 

_______

 

_______

* customer deposits exclude bancassurance.


Retail achieved strong results in 2007, increasing operating profit by 10% to £2,470 million as a result of good income growth in both consumer and business banking combined with tight cost control and a reduction in impairment losses. Total income grew by 3% to £7,762 million, while income net of claims grew by 2% to £7,244 million and contribution by 6 % to £4,073 million .

We have accelerated the expansion of our consumer banking franchise, opening more than 975,000 new personal current accounts in 2007 and maintaining the Group’s joint number one position in the current account market. RBS and NatWest continue to lead the other major high street banks in Great Britain for customer satisfaction. We continue to focus on sales through the branch channel, and by adding more customer advisers in our branches have achieved a significant uplift in volumes.

Bancassurance continued its excellent progress with sales growth of 28% to £342 million annual premium equivalent, representing a doubling of 2005 sales. We invested further in our sales force, ending the year with more than 1,000 financial planning managers.

In business banking we strengthened our management team and improved operational processes, producing good results. During 2007 we placed an additional 500 business managers back in branches, launched additional products to support the start-up market, and added new roles supporting ethnic minorities , women in business and community banking.
 

In our cards and direct finance business, we have maintained our focus on credit card sales through the branch channel, where new business sales were up 47% on 2006, while continuing to take a cautious view on direct sales. Our cards acquiring business continued to grow market share, strengthening its market leading position with an 11% increase in transactions in 2007.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


RETAIL MARKETS – RETAIL (continued)

Average customer deposit balances were 9% higher, driven by accelerating growth in both personal savings, up 12%, and business deposits, up 11%, alongside modest growth in current account balances. Savings balance growth was helped by good sales of new accounts to branch customers, with NatWest opening more than 1 million new savings accounts.

Average loans and advances to customers increased by 3%, with average mortgage lending up 5% and average business lending up 9%. Mortgage activity focused on branch channels, where net lending was 14% higher than in the previous year. We also took advantage of improved margins in the intermediary segment in the latter part of the year to improve volumes. D irect loan balances declined over the year as we maintained our strategy of focussing unsecured personal lending on profitability rather than volume, although we continued to grow lending through the branch channel. After a decline in credit card balances in the first half of the year we improved recruitment and retention in the second half.
 

Net interest income increased by 2% to £4,191 million, with strong growth in deposits helping to mitigate the impact of lower unsecured lending volumes and lower average card balances. Net interest margin declined modestly, in line with previous guidance, with savings margins consistent with 2006, despite increased competition for deposits.


Non-interest income was £3,571 million, 3% ahead of 2006, with strong growth in investment income offset by lower levels of direct lending and reduced instances of current account fees.

T otal expenses rose by 2% to £3,578 million , driven by increased investment in customer-facing staff in branches and in our bancassurance and investment businesses. Other costs reduced by 1% to £614 million.


Impairment losses decreased by 9% to £1,196 million, reflecting the improvement in arrears trends on both credit cards and unsecured personal loans. Mortgage arrears remained very low, and we have maintained conservative lending criteria – the average loan-to-value ratio of Retail’s mortgages was 46% overall and 63% on new mortgages written in 2007, and this improved as the year progressed. Small business credit quality remained good.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


RETAIL MARKETS – WEALTH MANAGEMENT

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income

569

 

496

Non-interest income

459

 

393

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

1,028

 

889

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

338

 

299

-

other

128

 

127

 

_______

 

_______

 

466

 

426

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

562

 

463

Impairment losses

4

 

1

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

558

 

462

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

145

 

144

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

413

 

318

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Loans and advances to customers – gross

10.5

 

8.8

Investment management assets – excluding deposits

35.1

 

28.2

Customer deposits

33.9

 

28.4

Risk-weighted assets

7.5

 

6.4

 

_______

 

_______

Wealth Management’s offering of private banking and investment services continued to deliver very strong growth in income, up 16% in 2007 to £1,028 million. Contribution grew by 21% to £558 million and operating profit by 30% to £413 million.


We have continued Coutts & Co’s UK regional expansion programme, and this has helped us to grow customer numbers by 7% and income by 22%. Outside the UK, Coutts International has been re-branded as RBS Coutts to leverage the global brand strength of the group in the continental European and Asia-Pacific markets and RBS Coutts has maintained its momentum in the Asia-Pacific region, succeeding in growing customer numbers by 27% and income by 51 % in US dollar terms.
 
Growth in banking volumes contributed to a 15% rise in net interest income to £569 million. Average loans and advances to customers rose by 13% and average deposits by 17%.

Non-interest income grew by 17% to £459 million, reflecting higher investment management fees and new product sales, including new investment vehicles specialising in private equity and natural resources, as well as continued growth in underlying new business volumes, particularly in the UK and Asia. Assets under management rose to £35.1 billion at 31 December 2007, up 24% from a year earlier.

Total expenses rose by 7% to £611 million, with direct expense up 9% at £466 million, reflecting continued investment in the UK and continental Europe along with a further significant expansion of our team of private bankers in Asia. Total headcount increased by 12%.
 
 
 
 
 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


ULSTER BANK
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Net interest income

979

 

873

Non-interest income

318

 

252

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

1,297

 

1,125

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

302

 

254

-

other

159

 

131

 

_______

 

_______

 

461

 

385

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

836

 

740

Impairment losses

104

 

104

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

732

 

636

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

219

 

215

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

513

 

421

 

_______

 

_______

       

Average exchange rate - €/£

1.461

 

1.467

 

_______

 

_______

       
 

£bn

 

£bn

       

Total assets

54.8

 

44.5

Loans and advances to customers – gross

     

-

mortgages

18.3

 

15.0

-

corporate

24.8

 

19.6

-

other

4.0

 

3.6

Customer deposits

21.8

 

18.1

Risk-weighted assets

36.0

 

29.7

       

Spot exchange rate - €/£

1.361

 

1.490

 

_______

 

_______


Ulster Bank maintained its success in building its personal and corporate banking business in the island of Ireland, with total income rising by 15% to £1,297 million, contribution by 15% to £732 million and operating profit by 22% to £513 million. These results reflect solid sales growth across all activities, driven by an enhanced range of innovative products and an expanded distribution network.

 

Net interest income increased by 12% to £979 million, reflecting good growth in both loans and deposits. Average loans and advances to customers increased by 24 %, with particular strength in business lending, with a 29% increase spread across a variety of industrial sectors. Our mortgage book also saw very good growth in 2007, in spite of the slowdown in the housing market, with average balances up 17%. We achieved particular success in attracting remortgagers with our Switcher package. We were also successful in the current account switching market, winning 100,000 new current account customers during the year. This, together with new product launches such as the eSavings Account and Reward Reserve savings accounts, contributed to a 17% increase in average customer deposits. Net interest margin tightened, reflecting more competitive market conditions and increased funding costs.

Non-interest income rose by 26% to £318 million, driven by strong performances in Corporate Markets and credit cards. We successfully launched our new wealth business in the course of the year.

Total expenses increased by 13% to £680 million, as we continued our investment programme to support the future growth of the business. We continued to expand our branch and business centre footprint and recruited additional customer-facing staff, particularly in Corporate Markets.

Despite tighter housing market conditions, arrears trends saw no deterioration in 2007 and impairment losses remained stable at £104 million.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CITIZENS
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

 

$m

 

$m

               

Net interest income

1,975

 

2,085

 

3,954

 

3,844

Non-interest income

1,147

 

1,232

 

2,295

 

2,271

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

3,122

 

3,317

 

6,249

 

6,115

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

             

-

staff costs

741

 

803

 

1,483

 

1,480

-

other

717

 

751

 

1,437

 

1,385

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

1,458

 

1,554

 

2,920

 

2,865

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

1,664

 

1,763

 

3,329

 

3,250

Impairment losses

341

 

181

 

682

 

333

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

1,323

 

1,582

 

2,647

 

2,917

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

               

Average exchange rate – US$/£

2.001

 

1.844

       
 

_______

 

_______

       
       
 

$bn

 

$bn

       

Total assets

161.1

 

162.2

Loans and advances to customers – gross

     

-

mortgages

19.1

 

18.6

-

home equity

35.9

 

34.5

-

other consumer

21.7

 

23.2

-

corporate and commercial

37.6

 

32.7

Customer deposits

115.0

 

106.8

Customer deposits (excluding wholesale funding)

105.0

 

101.8

Risk-weighted assets

114.4

 

113.1

       

Spot exchange rate – US$/£

2.004

 

1.965

 

_______

 

_______

Against the background of weaker housing and credit market conditions, Citizens’ franchise demonstrated resilience in 2007, with a particularly good performance in corporate and commercial banking. Modest growth in net interest margins and strong fee growth in several products lifted income by 2% to $6,249 million which, coupled with tight cost control, resulted in contribution before impairment losses growing by 2% to $3,329 million. However, impairment losses increased from 0.31% of loans and advances to 0.60%, resulting in a decrease in operating profit of 9% to $2,647 million. In sterling terms, total income decreased by 6% to £3,122 million and operating profit fell by 16% to £1,323 million.


Net interest income rose by 3% to $3,954 million. Average loans and advances to customers increased by 4%, with strong growth in corporate and commercial lending, up 13%, with close attention being paid to our risk appetite in light of prevailing market conditions. Average customer deposits increased by 1% but deposit margins narrowed as a result of deposit pricing competition and continued migration from low-cost checking accounts and liquid savings to higher-cost products. Notwithstanding this migration, Citizens’ net interest margin increased slightly to 2.80% in 2007, compared with 2.72% in 2006, thanks in part to improved lending spreads in the latter part of the year.
 
Non-interest income rose by 1% to $2,295 million. Business and corporate fees rose strongly, with good results especially in foreign exchange, interest rate derivatives and cash management, driven by increasing cooperation with RBS Corporate Markets. Good progress was also made in credit card issuing, where we increased our customer base by 20%, and in merchant acquiring, where RBS Lynk achieved significant growth, processing 30% more transactions than in 2006 and expanding its merchant base by 5%.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CITIZENS (continued)
 

In response to more difficult market conditions Citizens intensified cost discipline, with a reduction in headcount helping to limit total expense growth to 2%, despite enhancements to infrastructure and processes as well as continued investment in growth opportunities including mid-corporate banking, contactless debit cards and merchant acquiring.

Rising losses and increased provisions lifted impairment costs from $333 million in 2006 to $682 million in 2007. Against a background of weaker economic activity the Citizens portfolio is performing well, although we have experienced a reversion from the very low levels of impairment seen in recent years, reflecting both the planned expansion of our commercial loan book and the impact of a softer housing market. There has also been an increase in reserving. The average FICO scores on our consumer portfolios, including home equity lines of credit, remain in excess of 700, with 97% of lending secured. Average loan-to-value ratios at the end of 2007 were 58% on our residential mortgage book and 74% on our home equity book.
 
  
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

RBS INSURANCE
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

       

Earned premiums

5,607 

 

5,713 

Reinsurers' share

(220)

 

(212)

 

_______

 

_______

Insurance premium income

5,387 

 

5,501 

Net fees and commissions

(465)

 

(486)

Other income

734 

 

664 

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

5,656 

 

5,679 

 

_______

 

_______

Direct expenses

     

-

staff costs

297 

 

319 

-

other

447 

 

426 

 

_______

 

_______

 

744 

 

745 

 

_______

 

_______

Gross claims

4,091 

 

4,030 

Reinsurers' share

(81)

 

(60)

 

_______

 

_______

Net claims

4,010 

 

3,970 

 

_______

 

_______

Contribution

902 

 

964 

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

219 

 

215 

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit

683*

 

749 

 

_______

 

_______

       

* The impact of the June and July floods was to reduce operating profit by £274 million

       

In-force policies (thousands)

     

-

Own-brand motor

6,713

 

6,790

-

Own-brand non-motor (home, rescue, pet, HR24)

3,752

 

3,759

-

Partnerships & broker (motor, home, rescue, SMEs, pet, HR24)

9,302

 

11,242

       

General insurance reserves – total (£m)

8,192

 

8,068

 

_______

 

_______

RBS Insurance has made good progress in 2007 in competitive markets. Total income was maintained at £5,656 million, in line with 2006 levels, with growth in our own-brand businesses offset by a decline in partnerships.
 
Operating profit declined by 9% to £683 million, reflecting the impact of the severe flooding experienced in June and July. Excluding the £ 274 million impact of the floods, contribution grew by 22% and operating profit by 28% , supported by strong claims management and the benefits of improved risk selection in this and prior years. We have continued to focus on selective underwriting of more profitable business.

Our own-brand businesses have performed well, with income rising by 1% and contribution growing by 4% . Excluding the impact of the floods, own-brand contribution grew by 24 %. In the UK motor market we have pursued a strategy of targeting lower risk drivers and have increas ed premium rates to offset claims inflation, improving profitability by implementing heavier price increases in higher risk categories. Our international businesses performed well, with Spain delivering strong profit growth while, in line with plan, our German and Italian businesses also achieved profitability in 2007. Home insurance grew across all of our own brands in the second half, and we achieved particular success in the distribution of home policies through our bank branches, with sales up 40 %.
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


RBS INSURANCE (continued)

In our partnerships and broker business, providing underwriting and processing services to third parties, we have concentrated on more profitable opportunities and have consequently not renewed a number of large rescue contracts. We also pulled back from some less profitable segments of the broker market. This resulted in a 17% reduction in in-force policies, but income fell by only 2 %. Contribution from partnerships and brokers fell by 22% as a result of flood-related claims. Excluding the impact of the floods, contribution from partnerships and brokers increased by 18%.
 

For RBS Insurance as a whole, insurance premium income, net of fees and commissions, was 2% lower at £4,922 million, reflecting modest growth in our own brands offset by a 5% decline in the partnerships and broker segment. Other income rose by 11% to £734 million, reflecting increased investment income.

Total expenses were held flat at £ 963 million. Within this, staff costs reduced by 7%, reflecting our continued focus on improving efficiency whilst maintaining service standards. A 5% rise in non-staff costs reflects increased marketing investment in our own brands.

Net claims rose by 1 % to £4 ,010 million. Gross claims relating to the floods in June and July cost more than £330 million, with a net impact, after allowing for profit sharing and reinsurance, of £274 million. Excluding the i mpact of the floods, net claims costs were reduced by 7 %. In the motor book, while average claims costs have continued to rise, this has been mitigated by improvements in risk selection and management and by continuing efficiencies in claims handling.

The UK combined operating ratio for 2007, including manufacturing costs, increased to 98.0 %, reflecting a higher loss ratio and the reduction in partnership income . Excluding the impact of the floods, the combined operating ratio was 91.9 %.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


MANUFACTURING
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

       

Staff costs

763 

 

762 

Other costs

2,151 

 

2,110 

 

_______

 

_______

Total Manufacturing costs

2,914 

 

2,872 

Allocated to divisions

(2,914)

 

(2,872)

 

_______

 

_______

 

 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Analysis of Manufacturing costs:

     

Group Technology

984 

 

974 

Group Property

962 

 

932 

Customer Support and other operations

968 

 

966 

 

_______

 

_______

Total Manufacturing costs

2,914 

 

2,872 

 

_______

 

_______



Manufacturing costs increased by 1% to £2,914 million, as further improvements in productivity enabled us to support growth in business volumes and to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction while continuing to invest in the further development of our business. Staff costs were flat, as salary inflation was offset by reduced headcount in Operations, resulting from process efficiencies. Other costs increased by 2%, reflecting property investment and continued growth in the volumes of transactions handled.


Group Technology costs remained under tight control, increasing by only 1% to £984 million, as significant improvements in productivity were balanced by investment in software development.


Group Property costs rose by 3% to £962 million, reflecting refurbishment and expansion of the Ulster Bank network and continuing investment to support the strong growth of our business in Europe and Asia, including the opening of a new Corporate Markets office in Paris and further development of our office portfolio in India and Singapore.


Customer Support and other operations costs remained broadly flat at £968 million, with further significant improvements in productivity enabling us to continue to absorb significant increases in service volumes. At the same time we maintained our focus on service quality, and our UK-based telephony centres continued to record market-leading customer satisfaction scores. Our investment in process reengineering across our operational centres under the 'Work-Out' banner is expected to deliver further improvements in efficiency.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CENTRAL ITEMS
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Funding and corporate costs

145

 

862

Departmental and other costs

461

 

442

 

_______

 

_______

 

606

 

1,304

Allocation of Manufacturing costs

146

 

143

 

_______

 

_______

Total central items

752

 

1,447

 

_______

 

_______



Central costs were substantially lower, reflecting in part the gains realised on a number of planned disposals that formed part of the Group’s funding arrangements for the acquisition of ABN AMRO. These gains contributed to a reduction of £717 million in funding and corporate costs, which also benefited from a reduction of £152 million in the carrying value of our own debt accounted for at fair value and the receipt of a dividend on our investment in Bank of China. These benefits were partially offset by goodwill payments amounting to £119 million in respect of current account administration fees. Excluding realised gains totalling £475 million, funding and corporate costs were £620 million, 28% lower than in 2006.

Departmental and other costs increased by 4% to £461 m illion. This largely reflects the c entralisation of certain functions and increased regulatory requirements.
 

CENTRAL ITEMS RELATING TO ABN AMRO

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

       

Funding and corporate costs

144

 

-

 

_______

 

_______

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

ABN AMRO – RBS BUSINESSES
 

In order to provide a basis for comparison of the performance of ABN AMRO businesses to be retained by the Group, set out below are the underlying full year results adjusted for credit market related write-downs, the impact of the sale of LaSalle Bank and some minor normalisations.

 

ABN AMRO RBS businesses

 

2007

 

€m

   

Total income

6,886

Expenses

5,906

 

_______

   

Impairment losses

338

 

_______

Underlying profit

642

 

_______

For 2007 as a whole, the RBS acquired businesses of ABN AMRO performed in line with expectations, producing an underlying operating profit of €642 million, excluding shared assets, credit market write-downs and the impact of the sale of LaSalle Bank. RBS’s portion of shared central costs and assets produced a net loss of €76 million for the full year.
 
While credit market activities reflected the prevailing market conditions in the second half of the year, ABN AMRO’s equities, rates and financial institutions business lines all achieved solid income growth in 2007. Transaction banking maintained good momentum, with income up 7%, reflecting strong growth in cash management balances and significant expansion in trade finance.

 
International retail banking businesses performed well over the whole of 2007, increasing customer numbers by 12% to 3.7 million with strong growth in India. There was also strong growth in China, Singapore and Hong Kong for Van Gogh Preferred Banking, which offers a premium service to its customer base, as well as an 18% increase in credit card customers. ABN AMRO continued to invest in its Asian footprint, opening 16 new branches across China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
 
The cost:income ratio in 2007 was 86%, with some redundancy costs in the second half of the year taken in business as usual expenses. The ABN AMRO cost base in 2007 was made less flexible by the bonus arrangements put in place when ABN AMRO originally announced its merger plans with Barclays.
 
Impairments increased to €338 million for the full year from around €180 million in 2006, primarily reflecting 2006 non-recurring provision releases in North America. There was also a modest increase in provisioning across Asia in line with balance growth, partially offset by a significant reduction in impairments on the Taiwan credit card portfolio.
 

The integration has made a strong start, with a further €570 million of cost savings and revenue benefits identified in addition to those originally anticipated. Cost savings are now expected to total €1,596 million in three years, 21% more than originally indicated. Another €100m of net revenue benefits have been identified in Global Banking & Markets and €200m in the International Retail businesses, bringing the total for net revenue benefits expected in three years to €688 million. All told, integration benefits are now expected to total €2.3 billion, compared with our original estimate of €1.7 billion.
 
Applying these increased synergies to the financial targets originally announced in our offer would have yielded increased accretion in adjusted earnings per share of 9%, a return on investment in 2010 of 16% and an internal rate of return of 18%.
 

Transition plans were completed on schedule, and following extensive consultation we have now received the support of the relevant staff bodies. Further rapid progress in separating businesses is expected over the course of this year.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

ABN AMRO

As discussed on page 3, the results of ABN AMRO for the period from 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007 are fully consolidated for the purpose of the Group's statutory results. However, we are also showing separately the results of ABN AMRO and of the businesses that will be retained by the Group.

   

ABN AMRO

   

2007

   

(note 1)

   

£m

     

Net interest income from banking activities

 

1,419 

   

_______

Net fees and commissions receivable

 

571 

Trading activities

 

104 

Other operating income (net of related funding costs)

 

174 

Insurance premium income

 

127 

   

_______

Non-interest income

 

976 

   

_______

Total income

 

2,395 

   

_______

Direct expenses

   

-

staff costs

 

937 

-

other

 

943 

   

_______

   

1,880 

   

_______

Insurance claims

 

124 

   

_______

Contribution before impairment losses

 

391 

Impairment losses

 

263 

   

_______

Operating profit from continuing operations (note 2)

 

128 

   

_______

     
   

£bn

     

Total assets

 

774.3

Loans and advances to customers – gross

 

287.7

Customer deposits

 

240.8

Risk-weighted assets

 

168.4

   

_______

Notes:

(1)     

Results of ABN AMRO for the period 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007 and as at 31 December 2007.


(2)     

The discontinued operations of ABN AMRO – Banca Antonveneta, Business Unit Asset Management and Business Unit Private Equity reported losses after tax for the period from 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007 of £136 million.


ABN AMRO as a whole recorded income totalling £2,395 million and operating profit from continuing operations of £128 million for the period from 17 October to 31 December 2007.

Within this total, the businesses to be retained by RBS, including our portion of shared assets, accounted for total income of £814 million. Trading profits of these businesses totalled £49 million, offset by £91 million of credit market write-downs and a £73 million cost for our portion of shared assets. The results of the businesses to be transferred to Fortis and Santander, together with their portion of the shared assets, are reflected in minority interests in the Group’s financial statements.


We have concluded our initial review of the ABN AMRO balance sheet and, applying RBS's valuation methodologies, have recorded a reduction of £978 million in the carrying value of financial instruments we acquired.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET – EXCLUDING ABN AMRO

 

2007

 

2006

 

Average

         

Average

       
 

balance

 

Interest

 

Rate

 

balance

 

Interest

 

Rate

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

%

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

%

Assets

                     

Treasury and other eligible bills

488 

 

21 

 

4.30

 

2,129  

 

93 

 

4.37

Loans and advances to banks

27,397 

 

1,350 

 

4.93

 

23,290 

 

979 

 

4.20

Loans and advances to customers

397,149 

 

25,964 

 

6.54

 

360,562 

 

22,181 

 

6.15

Debt securities

31,986 

 

1,790 

 

5.60

 

35,155 

 

1,713 

 

4.87

 

_______

 

______

     

_______

 

______

   

Interest-earning assets – banking business

457,020 

 

29,125 

 

6.37

 

421,136 

 

24,966 

 

5.93

     

______

         

______

   

Trading business

276,766 

         

202,408 

       

Non-interest-earning assets

274,910 

         

210,358 

       
 

_ ______

         

_______

       

Total assets

1,008,696 

         

833,902 

       
 

_ ______

         

_______

       

Liabilities

                     

Deposits by banks

64,899 

 

2,776 

 

4.28

 

64,811 

 

2,621 

 

4.04

Customer accounts

284,899 

 

11,691 

 

4.10

 

254,678 

 

8,899 

 

3.49

Debt securities in issue

97,593 

 

5,160 

 

5.29

 

81,161 

 

3,746 

 

4.62

Subordinated liabilities

26,113 

 

1,439 

 

5.51

 

26,647 

 

1,391 

 

5.22

Internal funding of trading business

(64,816)

 

(3,180)

 

4.91

 

(49,405)

 

(2,100)

 

4.25

 

_______

 

______

     

_______

 

______

   

Interest-bearing liabilities – banking business

408,688 

 

17,886 

 

4.38

 

377,892 

 

14,557 

 

3.85

     

______

         

______

   

Trading business

279,038 

         

204,810 

       

Non-interest-bearing liabilities

                     

-

demand deposits

30,417 

         

29,577 

       

-

other liabilities

247,194 

         

184,747 

       

Shareholders’ equity

43,359 

         

36,876 

       
 

___ ____

         

_______

       

Total liabilities

1,008,696 

         

833,902 

       
 

_ ______

         

_______

       

Notes:

1.

Interest receivable and interest payable on trading assets and liabilities are included in income from trading activities.

2.

Interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities exclude the Retail bancassurance assets and liabilities in view of their distinct nature. As a result, interest income has been adjusted by £85 million (2006 - £63 million).

3.

Changes in the fair value of interest-bearing financial instruments designated as at fair value through profit or loss are recorded in other operating income in the consolidated income statement. In the average balance sheet shown above, interest includes interest income and interest expense related to these instruments of £313 million (2006 - £215 million) and £536 million (2006 - £465 million) respectively and the average balances have been adjusted accordingly.


AVERAGE INTEREST RATES, YIELDS, SPREADS AND MARGINS– EXCLUDING ABN AMRO

 

2007 

 

2006 

Average rate

 

       

The Group's base rate

5.51 

 

4.64 

       

London inter-bank three month offered rates:

     

-

Sterling

6.00 

 

4.85 

-

Eurodollar

5.29 

 

5.20 

-

Euro

4.28 

 

3.08 

       

Yields, spreads and margins of the banking business:

     
       

Gross yield on interest-earning assets of banking business

6.37 

 

5.93 

Cost of interest-bearing liabilities of banking business

(4.38)

 

(3.85)

 

_______

 

_______

Interest spread of banking business

1.99 

 

2.08 

Benefit from interest-free funds

0.47 

 

0.39 

 

_______

 

_______

Net interest margin of banking business

2.46 

 

2.47 

 

_______

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET IN CLUDING ABN AMRO

 

2007

 

Average

       
 

balance

 

Interest

 

Rate

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

%

Assets

         

Interest-earning assets – banking business

535,158 

 

33,818 

 

6.32

     

______

   

Trading business

313,204 

       

Non-interest-earning assets

311,914 

       
 

_ ______

       

Total assets

1,160,276 

       
 

_ ______

       

Liabilities

         

Interest-bearing liabilities – banking business

484,053 

 

21,288 

 

4.40

     

______

   

Trading business

316,540 

       

Non-interest-bearing liabilities

         

-

demand deposits

32,871 

       

-

other liabilities

283,453 

       

Shareholders’ equity

43,359 

       
 

___ ____

       

Total liabilities

1,160,276 

       
 

_ ______

       

AVERAGE YIELDS, SPREADS AND MARGINS IN CLUDING ABN AMRO

 

2007 

Yields, spreads and margins of the banking business:

   

Gross yield on interest-earning assets of banking business

6.32 

Cost of interest-bearing liabilities of banking business

(4.40)

 

_______

Interest spread of banking business

1.92 

Benefit from interest-free funds

0.42 

 

_______

Net interest margin of banking business

2.34 

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

STATUTORY RESULTS


The results presented on pages 39 to 52 inclusive are on a statutory basis and include the results of ABN AMRO for the period from 17 October 2007 to 31 December 2007. The interests of Fortis and Santander in RFS Holdings are included in minority interests.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007

In the income statement below, amortisation of purchased intangible assets and integration costs are included in operating expenses.
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

       

Interest receivable

33,420 

 

24,688 

Interest payable

20,752 

 

14,092 

 

_______

 

_______

Net interest income

12,668 

 

10,596 

 

_______

 

_______

Fees and commissions receivable

8,465 

 

7,116 

Fees and commissions payable

(2,311)

 

(1,922)

Income from trading activities

1,327 

 

2,675 

Other operating income (excluding insurance premium income)

4,857 

 

3,564 

Insurance premium income

6,398 

 

6,243 

Reinsurers’ share

(289)

 

(270)

 

_______

 

_______

Non-interest income

18,447 

 

17,406 

 

_______

 

_______

Total income

31,115 

 

28,002 

 

_______

 

_______

Staff costs

7,552 

 

6,723 

Premises and equipment

1,766 

 

1,421 

Other administrative expenses

3,147 

 

2,658 

Depreciation and amortisation

1,970 

 

1,678 

 

_______

 

_______

Operating expenses*

14,435 

 

12,480 

 

_______

 

_______

Profit before other operating charges and impairment losses

16,680 

 

15,522 

Insurance claims

4,770 

 

4,550 

Reinsurers’ share

(118)

 

(92)

Impairment losses

2,128 

 

1,878 

 

_______

 

_______

Operating profit before tax

9,900 

 

9,186 

Tax

2,052 

 

2,689 

 

_______

 

_______

Profit from continuing operations

7,848 

 

6,497 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

136 

 

 

_______

 

_______

Profit for the year

7,712 

 

6,497 

Minority interests

163 

 

104 

Other owners

246 

 

191 

 

_______

 

_______

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

7,303 

 

6,202 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Basic earnings per ordinary share (Note 4)

76.4p

 

64.9 p

 

_______

 

_______

       

Diluted earnings per ordinary share (Note 4)

75.7p

 

64.4 p

 

_______

 

_______

       

* Operating expenses include:

£m

 

£m

Integration costs:

     

Administrative expenses

48

 

118

Depreciation and amortisation

60

 

16

 

_______

 

_______

 

108

 

134

Amortisation of purchased intangible assets

274

 

94

 

_______

 

_______

 

382

 

228

 

_______

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AT 31 DECEMBER 2007
 

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

Assets

     

Cash and balances at central banks

17,866

 

6,121

Treasury and other eligible bills

18,229

 

5,491

Loans and advances to banks

219,460

 

82,606

Loans and advances to customers

829,250

 

466,893

Debt securities

276,427

 

127,251

Equity shares

53,026

 

13,504

Settlement balances

16,589

 

7,425

Derivatives

337,410

 

116,681

Intangible assets

48,492

 

18,904

Property, plant and equipment

18,750

 

18,420

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets

19,066

 

8,136

Assets of disposal groups

45,954

 

 

____ ___

 

_______

Total assets

1,900,519

 

871,432

 

___ ____

 

_______

       

Liabilities

     

Deposits by banks

312,633

 

132,143

Customer accounts

682,365

 

384,222

Debt securities in issue

273,615

 

85,963

Settlement balances and short positions

91,021

 

49,476

Derivatives

332,060

 

118,112

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities

34,024

 

15,660

Retirement benefit liabilities

496

 

1,992

Deferred taxation

5,510

 

3,264

Insurance liabilities

10,162

 

7,456

Subordinated liabilities

37,979

 

27,654

Liabilities of disposal groups

29,228

 

 

___ ____

 

_______

Total liabilities

1,809,093

 

825,942

Equity:

     

Minority interests

38,388

 

5,263

Owners’ equity*

     

Called up share capital

2,530

 

815

Reserves

50,508

 

39,412

Total equity

91,426

 

45,490

 

___ ____

 

_______

Total liabilities and equity

1,900,519

 

871,432

 

___ ____

 

_______

       
       

*Owners’ equity attributable to:

     

Ordinary shareholders

44,68 4

 

36,546

Other equity owners

8,354

 

3,681

 

_______

 

_______

 

53,038

 

 40,227

 

_______

 

_______




THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


OVERVIEW OF CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Total assets of £1,900 .5 billion at 31 December 2007 were up £1,029 .1 billion compared with 31 December 2006, of which £774 .2 billion relates to the acquisition of ABN AMRO. Excluding ABN AMRO, total assets were up £254.9 billion, 29% to £1,126 .3 billion largely reflecting an increase in derivative assets, which was accompanied by a corresponding increase in derivative liabilities, and secured financing through reverse repos and lending growth across all divisions.

Treasury and other eligible bills increased by £12.7 billion to £18.2 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, treasury and other eligible bills grew £11.0 billion to £16.5 billion due to increased trading activity.

Loans and advances to banks increased by £136.9 billion to £219.5 billion with reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing ("reverse repos") up by £121.8 billion to £175.9 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, loans and advances to banks increased by £14.8 billion, 18%, to £97.4 billion of which reverse repos increased by £13.5 billion, 25% to £67.6 billion and bank placings increased by £1.3 billion, 5%, to £29.8 billion.

Loans and advances to customers rose by £362.4 billion to £829.3 billion. Within this, reverse repos increased by £79.4 billion to £142.4 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, loans and advances to customers were up £76.9 billion, 16%, to £543.8 billion with reverse repos increasing by £16.1 billion, 26% to £79.1 billion. Excluding reverse repos, lending rose by £60.8 billion, 15% to £464.7 billion, reflecting growth across all divisions.

Debt securities increased by £149.2 to £276.4 billion of which £121.8 billion related to the acquisition of ABN AMRO. Excluding ABN AMRO, debt securities increased by £27.4 billion, 22%, to £154.6 billion
principally due to increased trading book holdings in Corporate Markets.

Equity shares rose by £39.5 billion to £53.0 billion primarily reflecting the acquisition of ABN AMRO, partially offset by a £0.8 billion reduction in the value of the Bank of China shareholding.

Intangible assets increased by £29.6
billion to £48.5 billion due to the acquisition of ABN AMRO and represented goodwill of £24.5 billion and other intangible assets of £5.1 billion.


Property, plant and equipment were up £0.3 billion, 2% to £18.8 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, property, plant and equipment were down £1.9 billion, 10% to £16.6 billion mainly as a result of the sale of the Canary Wh arf investment properties and sale and leaseback transactions in the UK and US.

Settlement balances rose £9.2 billion to £16.6 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, settlement balances were down £2.1 billion, 28% to £5.3 billion as a result of reduced customer activity.

Derivatives, assets and liabilities increased reflecting the acquisition of ABN AMRO, growth in trading volumes and the effects of interest and exchange rate movements amidst current market conditions.

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets were up £10.9
billion to £19 .1 billion primarily reflecting the acquisition of ABN AMRO.
 
Assets and liabilities of disposal groups comprise those business units of ABN AMRO that were acquired exclusively with a view to disposal, including Banca Antonveneta, Asset Management and Private Equity.


Deposits by banks rose by £180 .5 billion to £312 .6 billion of which repurchase agreements and stock lending ("repos") were up £86.7 billion to £163.0 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, deposits by banks rose by £10.7 billion, 8% to £142.8 billion. Inter-bank deposits were up £11.9 billion, 21% at £67.7 billion, partially offset by a reduction in repos down £1.2 billion, 2% to £75.2 billion.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


OVERVIEW OF CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (continued)


Customer accounts were up £298 .1 billion to £682.4 billion with repos up £70.9 billion to £134.9 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, customer accounts were up £57.8 billion, 15% at £442.1 billion with repos up £11.0 billion, 17% to £75.0 billion. Excluding repos, deposits rose by £46.8 billion, 15%, to £367.0 billion with good growth in all divisions.

Debt securities in issue have increased by £187.7 billion to £273.6 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, the increase was £58.7 billion, 68% to £144.7 billion.
 
Settlement balances and short positions were up £41.5 billion to £91.0 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, the increase in settlement balances and short positions was £4.4
billion, 9% to £53.8 billion reflecting growth in customer activity.


Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities increased £18 .4 billion to £34 .0 billion largely reflecting the acquisition of ABN AMRO.


Subordinated liabilities were up £10 .3 billion, 37% to £38 .0 billion. Excluding ABN AMRO, subordinated liabilities were unchanged at £27.7 billion. The issue of £1.0 billion dated loan capital and £0.7 billion movement in exchange rates was offset by the redemption of £0.7 billion dated loan capital, £0.4 billion undated loan capital and £0.6 billion non-cumulative preference shares.


Deferred taxation liabilities rose by £2.2 billion, 69% to £5.5 billion largely due to the acquisition of ABN AMRO.

Equity minority interests increased by £33.1 billion to £38.4 billion reflecting £33.8 billion in respect of the acquisition of ABN AMRO, partially offset by a reduction of £0.4 billion in the value of the investment in Bank of China.

Owners’ equity increased by £12.8 billion, 32%, to £53.0 billion. The profit for the year of £7.6
billion, issue of £2.7 billion of ordinary share capital, £3.2 billion of non-cumulative fixed rate equity preference shares and £1.1 billion of other paid-in equity to fund the Group's investment in ABN AMRO, together with other issues of £0 .4 billion non-cumulative fixed rate equity preference shares and £0.1 billion of ordinary shares in respect of the exercise of share options, a £1.5 billion net decrease after tax in the Group's pension liability and £0.4 billion resulting from the effect of exchange rates, were partly offset by the payment of the 2006 final ordinary dividend and the 2007 interim dividend, £3.0 billion and preference dividends of £0.3 billion, £0.5 billion reduction in available-for-sale reserves, and a £0.4 billion decrease in cash flow hedging reserve.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007


 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

       

Net movements in reserves:

     

Available-for-sale

(1,289)

 

4,479 

Cash flow hedges

(564)

 

(249)

Currency translation

2,210 

 

(1,681)

       

Actuarial gains on defined benefit plans

2,189 

 

1,781 

Tax on items recognised direct in equity

(170)

 

(1,173)

 

_______

 

_______

Net income recognised direct in equity

2,376 

 

3,157 

Profit for the year

7,712 

 

6,497 

 

_______

 

_______

Total recognised income and expense for the year

10,088 

 

9,654 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Attributable to:

     

Equity shareholders

8,610 

 

7,707 

Minority interests

1,478 

 

1,947 

 

_______

 

_______

 

10,088 

 

9,654 

 

_______

 

_______

The net movement in the available- for- sale reserves relates principally to the gains realised on disposals and decline in the value of the investment in Bank of China. The value of the Group's investment (excluding external investors' interests) amounts to £2.8 billion and the original cost of the acquisition was £0.8 billion.
 
Currency translation differences relate predominantly to the minority interests arising on the acquisition of ABN AMRO.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

Operating activities

     

Operating profit before tax

9,900 

 

9,186 

       

Adjustments for:

     

Depreciation and amortisation

1,970 

 

1,678 

Interest on subordinated liabilities

1,542 

 

1,386 

Charge for defined benefit pension schemes

489 

 

580 

Cash contribution to defined benefit pension schemes

(599)

 

(536)

Elimination of foreign exchange differences and other non-cash items

(13,517)

 

3,396 

 

_______

 

_______

Net cash inflow from trading activities

(215)

 

15,690 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

28,261 

 

3,980 

 

_______

 

_______

Net cash flows from operating activities before tax

28,046 

 

19,670 

Income taxes paid

(2,442)

 

(2,229)

 

_______

 

_______

Net cash flows from operating activities

25,604 

 

17,441 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Investing activities

     

Sale and maturity of securities

63,007 

 

27,126 

Purchase of securities

(61,020)

 

(19,126)

Sale of property, plant and equipment

5,786 

 

2,990 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(5,080)

 

(4,282)

Investment in business interests and intangible assets

13,640 

 

(63)

Discontinued activities

(334)

 

 

_______

 

_______

Net cash flows from investing activities

15,999 

 

6,645 

 

_______

 

_______

Financing activities

     

Issue of ordinary shares

77 

 

104 

Issue of other equity interests

3,600 

 

671 

Issue of paid up equity

1,073 

 

Issue of subordinated liabilities

1,018 

 

3,027 

Proceeds of minority interests issued

31,095 

 

1,354 

Redemption of minority interests

(545)

 

(81)

Repurchase of ordinary shares

 

(991)

Shares purchased by employee trusts

(65)

 

(254)

Shares issued under employee share schemes

79 

 

108 

Repayment of subordinated liabilities

(1,708)

 

(1,318)

Dividends paid

(3,411)

 

(2,727)

Interest paid on subordinated liabilities

(1,522)

 

(1,409)

 

_______

 

_______

Net cash flows from financing activities

29,691 

 

(1,516)

 

_______

 

_______

       

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

6,010 

 

(3,468)

 

_______

 

_______

       

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

77,304 

 

19,102 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

71,651 

 

52,549 

 

_______

 

_______

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

148,955 

 

71,651 

 

_______

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES

1.

Accounting policies

 

There have been no significant changes to the Group’s accounting policies.

         

2.

Loan impairment provisions

 

Operating profit is stated after charging loan impairment losses of £2,106 million (2006 - £1,877 million). The balance sheet loan impairment provisions increased in the year ended 31 December 2007 from £3,935 million to £6,441 million, and the movements thereon were:

   

2007 

 

2006 

   

£m 

 

£m 

         
 

At 1 January

3,935 

 

3,887 

 

Currency translation and other adjustments

137 

 

(61)

 

Acquisition of subsidiaries

2,210 

 

 

Amounts written-off

(2,171)

 

(1,841)

 

Recoveries of amounts previously written-off

390 

 

215 

 

Charge to income statement

2,106 

 

1,877 

 

Unwind of discount

(166)

 

(142)

   

_______

 

_______

 

At 31 December

6,441 

 

3,935 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

The provision at 31 December 2007 includes £3 million (2006 - £2 million) in respect of loans and advances to banks.

         

3.

Taxation

     
 

The charge for taxation on continuing operations comprises:

   

2007 

 

2006 

   

£m 

 

£m 

         
 

Tax on profit before intangibles amortisation and integration costs

2,149 

 

2,750  

 

Tax relief on intangibles amortisation and integration costs

(97)

 

(61)

   

_______

 

_______

   

2,052 

 

2,689 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Overseas tax included above

508 

 

1,100 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

The charge for taxation represents 20.7% (2006 – 29.3%) of profit before tax. It differs from the tax charge computed by applying the standard UK corporation tax rate of 30% as follows:

         
   

2007 

 

2006 

   

£m 

 

£m 

         
 

Profit before tax

9,900 

 

9,186 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Expected tax charge at 30%

2,970 

 

2,756 

 

Non-deductible items

263 

 

288 

 

Non-taxable items

(595)

 

(251)

 

Foreign profits taxed at other rates

(37)

 

63 

 

Reduction in deferred tax liability following change

     
 

in the rate of UK Corporation Tax

(189)

 

 

Other

 

19 

 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

(367)

 

(186)

   

_______

 

_______

 

Actual tax charge

2,052 

 

2,689 

   

_______

 

_______

   
   

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)


4.

Earnings per share

     
 

Earnings per share have been calculated based on the following:

   

2007

 

2006

   

£m

 

£m

 

Earnings

     
 

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

7,303

 

6,202

 

Add back finance cost on dilutive convertible securities

60

 

64

   

_______

 

_______

 

Diluted earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders

7,363

 

6,266

   

_______

 

_______

         
   

Number of shares
- millions

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares*

     
 

In issue during the year

9,557

 

9 ,555

 

Effect of dilutive share options and convertible securities

166

 

174

   

_______

 

_______

 

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares in

     
 

issue during the year

9,723

 

9 ,729

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Basic earnings per share*

76.4p

 

64 .9 p

 

Intangibles amortisation (net of minority interest share)

1.5p

 

0 .7 p

 

Integration costs

0.8p

 

1.1 p

   

_______

 

_______

 

Adjusted earnings per share*

78.7p

 

66 .7 p

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Diluted earnings per shares*

75.7p

 

64. 4p

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Adjusted diluted earnings per shares*

77.9p

 

66. 1p

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

*prior period data have been restated to reflect the two for one bonus issue of ordinary shares in May 2007.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)

5.

Segmental analysis from continuing operations

     
         
 

The revenues for each division in the table below are gross of intra-group transactions.

         
   

2007 

 

2006 

 

Total revenue

£m 

 

£m 

         
 

Corporate Markets

     
 

-

Global Banking & Markets

22,126 

 

19,0 57  

 

-

UK Corporate Banking

7,321 

 

5,9 80  

 

Retail Markets

     
 

-

Retail

13,936 

 

12, 755  

 

-

Wealth Management

3,140 

 

2,4 21  

 

Ulster Bank

3,038 

 

2, 557  

 

Citizens

5,528 

 

5,874 

 

RBS Insurance

6,422 

 

6,447 

 

Manufacturing

42 

 

54  

 

ABN AMRO

5,959 

 

 

Central items

10,730 

 

8, 109  

 

Elimination of intra-group transactions

(23,775)

 

(18,968)

   

_______

 

_______

   

54,467 

 

44,286 

   

_______

 

_______

         
         
   

2007 

 

2006 

 

Operating profit before tax

£m 

 

£m 

         
 

Corporate Markets

     
 

-

Global Banking & Markets

3,687 

 

3, 779  

 

-

UK Corporate Banking

1,961 

 

1,7 62  

 

Total Corporate Markets

5,648 

 

5,5 41  

 

Retail Markets

     
 

-

Retail

2,470 

 

2,2 50  

 

-

Wealth Management

413 

 

3 18  

 

Total Retail Markets

2,883 

 

2, 568  

 

Ulster Bank

513 

 

421  

 

Citizens

1,323 

 

1,582 

 

RBS Insurance

683 

 

7 49  

 

Manufacturing

 

 

ABN AMRO

(16)

 

 

Central items

(752)

 

(1, 447 )

   

_______

 

_______

   

10,282 

 

9,414 

 

Amortisation of purchased intangible assets

(274)

 

(94)

 

Integration costs

(108)

 

(134)

   

_______

 

_______

   

9,900 

 

9,186

   

_______

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)


6 .

Dividends *

 

During the year dividends of 22.1p per ordinary share (2006 – 17.7p) in respect of the final dividend for 2006 and 10.1p per ordinary share (2006 – 8.1p) in respect of the interim dividend for 2007 were paid to ordinary shareholders. The directors have recommended a final dividend for 2007 of 23.1p per ordinary share. Subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 6 June 2008 to shareholders registered on 7 March 2008.

   
 

*prior period data have been restated to reflect the two for one bonus issue of ordinary shares in May 2007.

   

7.

Analysis of repurchase agreements

     
   

2007

 

2006

   

£m

 

£m

         
 

Reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing

     
 

Loans and advances to banks

175,941

 

54,152

 

Loans and advances to customers

142,357

 

62,908

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Repurchase agreements and stock lending

     
 

Deposits by banks

163,038

 

76,376

 

Customer accounts

134,916

 

63,984

   

_______

 

_______

   

8.

Retirement benefit surplus/(liability)

     
   

2007 

 

2006  

   

£m 

 

£m  

         
 

Fair value of plan assets

27,662 

 

18,959  

 

Present value of defined benefit obligations

27,322 

 

20,951  

   

_______

 

_______

 

Net pension surplus/(liability)

340 

 

( 1,992 )

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Schemes in net surplus (included in Other assets)

8 36  

 

 

Schemes in net deficit

(496)

 

(1,992)

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

The transition to a net surplus of £340 million at 31 December 2007 from a net pension liability of £1,992 million at 31 December 2006 reflects strong growth in scheme assets coupled with a higher discount rate due to the rise in AA rated corporate bond yields.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)


9.

Analysis of consolidated equity

     
   

2007 

 

2006 

   

£m 

 

£m 

 

Called-up share capital

     
 

At beginning of year

815 

 

826 

 

Bonus issue of ordinary shares*

1,576 

 

-  

 

Shares issued during the year

139 

 

 

Shares repurchased during the year

 

(13)

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

2,530 

 

815 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Paid-in equity

     
 

Securities issued during the year

1,073 

 

-  

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

1,073 

 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Share premium account

     
 

At beginning of year

12,482 

 

11,777 

 

Bonus issue of ordinary shares*

(1,576)

 

-  

 

Shares issued during the year

6,257 

 

815 

 

Shares repurchased during the year

 

(381)

 

Redemption of preference shares classified as debt

159 

 

271 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

17,322 

 

12,482 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Merger reserve

     
 

At beginning and end of year

10,881 

 

10,881 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Available-for-sale reserves

     
 

At beginning of year

1,528 

 

(73)

 

Unrealised (losses)/gains in the year

(191)

 

2,6 09 

 

Realised gains in the year

(513)

 

(313)

 

Taxation

208 

 

(695)

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

1,032 

 

1,528 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Cash flow hedging reserve

     
 

At beginning of year

(149)

 

59 

 

Amount recognised in equity during the year

(460)

 

(109)

 

Amount transferred from equity to earnings in the year

(138)

 

(140)

 

Taxation

192 

 

41 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

(555)

 

(149)

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Foreign exchange reserve

     
 

At beginning of year

(872)

 

469 

 

Retranslation of net assets, net of related hedges

376 

 

(1,341)

 

Taxation

70 

 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

(426)

 

(872)

   

_______

 

_______

 

*in May 2007, the Group capitalised £1,576 million of its share premium account by way of a two for one bonus issue of ordinary shares of 25p each.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)


9.

Analysis of consolidated equity (continued)

     
   

2007 

 

2006 

   

£m 

 

£m 

 

Capital redemption reserve

     
 

At beginning of year

170 

 

157 

 

Shares repurchased during the year

 

13 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

170

 

170 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Retained earnings

     
 

At beginning of year

15,487 

 

11,346 

 

Profit attributable to ordinary and equity preference shareholders

7,549 

 

6,393 

 

Ordinary dividends paid

(3,044)

 

(2,470)

 

Equity preference dividends paid

(246)

 

(191)

 

Shares repurchased during the year

 

(624)

 

Redemption of preference shares classified as debt

(159)

 

(271)

 

Actuarial gains recognised in retirement benefit schemes, net of tax

1,517 

 

1,262 

 

Net cost of shares bought and used to satisfy share-based payments

(40)

 

(38)

 

Share-based payments, net of tax

 

80 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

21,072 

 

15,487 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Own shares held

     
 

At beginning of year

(115)

 

(7)

 

Shares purchased during the year

(65)

 

(254)

 

Shares issued under employee share schemes

119 

 

146 

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

(61)

 

(115)

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Owners’ equity at end of year

53,038 

 

40,227 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Minority interests

     
 

At beginning of year

5,263 

 

2,109 

 

Currency translation adjustments and other movements

1,834 

 

(297)

 

Acquisition of ABN AMRO

32,245 

 

 

Profit attributable to minority interests

163 

 

104 

 

Dividends paid

(121)

 

(66)

 

(Losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

(564)

 

2,140 

 

Movements in cash flow hedging reserves, net of tax

26 

 

 

Actuarial gains recognised in retirement benefit schemes, net of tax

19 

 

 

Equity raised

76 

 

1,354 

 

Equity withdrawn

(553)

 

(81)

   

_______

 

_______

 

At end of year

38,388 

 

5,263 

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Total equity at end of year

91,426 

 

45,490 

   

_______

 

_______




THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)

10.

Analysis of contingent liabilities and commitments

     
   

2007

 

2006

   

£m

 

£m

 

Contingent liabilities

     
 

Guarantees and assets pledged as collateral security

46,441

 

1 0,725

 

Other contingent liabilities

15,479

 

9,121

   

_______

 

_______

   

61,920

 

19,846

   

_______

 

_______

 

Commitments

     
 

Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines

     
 

and other commitments to lend

335,688

 

2 42, 655

 

Other commitments

2,491

 

2,402

   

_______

 

_______

   

338,179

 

2 45, 057

   

_______

 

_______

         
 

Total contingent liabilities and commitments

400,099

 

2 64, 903

   

_______

 

_______

   
 

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.

   

11.

Litigation

 

Proceedings, including consolidated class actions on behalf of former Enron securities holders, have been brought in the United States against a large number of defendants, including the Group, following the collapse of Enron. The claims against the Group could be significant; the class plaintiff’s position is that each defendant is responsible for an entire aggregate damage amount less settlements – they have not quantified claimed damages against the Group in particular. The Group considers that it has substantial and credible legal and factual defences to these claims and will continue to defend them vigorously. Recent United States Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decisions provide further support for the Group’s position. The Group is unable reliably to estimate the liability, if any, that might arise or its effect on the Group’s consolidated net assets, its operating results or cashflows in any particular period.
 
On 27 July 2007, following discussions between the Office of Fair Trading ('OFT'), the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Financial Services Authority and all the major UK banks (including the Group) in the first half of 2007, the OFT issued proceedings in a test case against the banks including the Group to determine the legal status and enforceability of certain charges relating to unauthorised overdrafts. The hearing of the test case commenced on 17 January 2008. The Group maintains that its charges are fair and enforceable and is defending its position vigorously. It cannot, however, at this stage predict with any certainty the outcome of the test case and is unable reliably to estimate the liability, if any, that may arise or its effect on the Group's consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.
 

Members of the Group are engaged in other litigation in the United Kingdom and a number of overseas jurisdictions, including the United States, involving claims by and against them arising in the ordinary course of business. The Group has reviewed these other actual, threatened and known potential claims and proceedings and, after consulting with its legal advisers, does not expect that the outcome of these other claims and proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated net assets, operating results or cash flows in any particular period.

   

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


NOTES (continued)

12.

Regulatory enquiries and investigations

 

In the normal course of business the Group and its subsidiaries co-operate with regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions in their enquiries or investigations into alleged or possible breaches of regulations.

 

As previously disclosed by ABN AMRO, the United States Department of Justice has been conducting a criminal investigation into ABN AMRO’s dollar clearing activities, Office of Foreign Assets Control compliance procedures and other Bank Secrecy Act compliance matters. ABN AMRO has cooperated and continues to cooperate fully with the investigation. Prior to the acquisition by the Group, ABN AMRO had reached an agreement in principle with the Department of Justice that would resolve all presently known aspects of the ongoing investigation by way of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement in return for a settlement payment by ABN AMRO of US$500 million (which amount was accrued by ABN AMRO in its interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2007). Negotiations are continuing to enable a written agreement to be concluded.
 
Certain of the Group’s subsidiaries have received requests for information from various US governmental agencies and self regulatory organisations including in connection with sub-prime mortgages and securitisations, collateralised debt obligations and synthetic products related to sub-prime mortgages. The Group and its subsidiaries are cooperating with these various requests for information and investigations.

   

13.

Statutory accounts

 

Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 ("the Act"). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies following the company’s Annual General Meeting. The auditors have reported on these accounts: their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Act.

   

14.

Date of approval

 

This announcement was approved by the Board of directors on 27 February 2008.

   

15.

Form 20-F

 

A report on Form 20-F will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


ANALYSIS OF INCOME, EXPENSES AND IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

     

Excluding 

   
 

Statutory 

 

ABN AMRO 

   

2007 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

£m 

Non-interest income

         
           

Fees and commissions receivable

8,465 

 

7,730 

 

7,116 

Fees and commissions payable

         

-

banking

(1,845)

 

(1,665)

 

(1,432)

-

insurance related

(466)

 

(466)

 

(490)

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Net fees and commissions

6,154 

 

5,599 

 

5,194 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Foreign exchange

1,050 

 

928 

 

738 

Interest rate

1,466 

 

1,748 

 

973 

Credit

(1,430)

 

(1,620)

 

841 

Other

241 

 

167 

 

123 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Income from trading activities

1,327 

 

1,223 

 

2,675  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Rental and other asset-based activities

2,601 

 

2,484 

 

2,149 

Other income

         

-

principal investments

1,213 

 

1,213 

 

794 

-

net realised gains on available-for-sale securities

293 

 

293 

 

196 

-

dividend income

116 

 

116 

 

73 

-

profit on sale of property, plant and equipment

430 

 

430 

 

125 

-

other

204 

 

147 

 

227 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Other operating income

4,857 

 

4,683 

 

3,564 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Non-interest income (excluding insurance premiums)

12,338 

 

11,505 

 

11,433  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Insurance net premium income

6,109 

 

5,982 

 

5,973  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Total non-interest income

18,447 

 

17,487 

 

17,406 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Staff costs

         

-

Wages, salaries and other staff costs

6,434 

 

5,640 

 

5,641 

-

social security costs

522 

 

407 

 

389 

-

pension costs

578 

 

550 

 

617 

Premises and equipment

1,762 

 

1,538 

 

1,411 

Other

3,081 

 

2,494 

 

2,626 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Administrative expenses

12,377 

 

10,629 

 

10,684 

Operating lease depreciation

727 

 

699 

 

787 

Other depreciation and amortisation

949 

 

845 

 

781 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Operating expenses

14,053 

 

12,173 

 

12,252 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

General insurance

4,010 

 

4,010 

 

3,970 

Bancassurance

642 

 

518 

 

488 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Insurance net claims

4,652 

 

4,528 

 

4,458  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Loan impairment losses

2,106 

 

1,843 

 

1,877 

Impairment of available-for-sale securities

22 

 

22 

 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Impairment losses

2,128 

 

1,865 

 

1,878 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Note: the data above exclude amortisation of purchased intangibles and integration costs.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


REGULATORY RATIOS
 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

Capital base

     

Ordinary shareholders’ funds and minority interests less intangibles

27,324 

 

20,281 

Preference shares and tax deductible securities

17,040 

 

9,760 

 

_______

 

_______

Tier 1 capital

44,364 

 

30,041 

Tier 2 capital

33,693 

 

27,491 

Tier 3 capital

200 

 

 

_______

 

_______

 

78,257 

 

57,532 

Less: Supervisory deductions

(10,283)

 

(10,583)

 

_______

 

_______

 

67,974 

 

46,949 

 

_______

 

_______

Risk-weighted assets

     

Banking book

     

-

on-balance sheet

480,200 

 

318,600 

-

off-balance sheet

84,600 

 

59,400 

Trading book

44,200 

 

22,300 

 

_______

 

_______

 

609,000 

 

400,300 

 

_______

 

_______

Risk asset ratio

     

Tier 1

7.3% 

 

7.5% 

Total

11.2% 

 

11.7% 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Composition of capital

     

Tier 1

     

Shareholders’ equity and minority interests

88,311 

 

41,700 

Innovative tier 1 securities and preference shares

6,919 

 

4,900 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

(48,492)

 

(18,904)

Regulatory and other adjustments

(2,374)

 

2,345 

 

_______

 

_______

Total qualifying tier 1 capital

44,364 

 

30,041 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Tier 2

     

Unrealised gains in available-for-sale equity securities

     

in shareholders’ equity and minority interests

3,115 

 

3,790 

Collective impairment losses, net of taxes

2,582 

 

2,267 

Qualifying subordinated liabilities

27,681 

 

21,024 

Minority and other interests in tier 2 capital

315 

 

410 

 

_______

 

_______

Total qualifying tier 2 capital

33,693 

 

27,491 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Tier 3

200 

 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Supervisory deductions

     

Unconsolidated investments

4,297 

 

3,870 

Investments in other banks (1)

463 

 

5,203 

Other deductions

5,523 

 

1,510 

 

_______

 

_______

 

10,283 

 

10,583 

 

_______

 

_______

       

Total regulatory capital

67,974 

 

46,949 

 

_______

 

_______

Note:

(1)     

The reduction in supervisory deductions for investments in other banks reflects changes to the FSA rules following the implementation of certain provisions of the EU Capital Requirements Directive with effect from 1 January 2007.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


ASSET QUALITY

Analysis of loans and advances to customers

The following table analyses loans and advances to customers (including reverse repurchase agreements and stock borrowing) by industry and geography.

 

Statutory

 

Excluding  ABN AMRO 

 

 

 

2007 

 

2007 

 

2006 

 

£m 

 

£m 

 

£m 

           

Central and local government

3,135 

 

3,129 

 

6,732 

Finance

70,690 

 

40,542 

 

25,017 

Individuals – home

73,916 

 

72,726 

 

70,884 

Individuals – other

28,186 

 

28,122 

 

27,922 

Other commercial and industrial comprising:

         

-

Manufacturing

13,452 

 

11,943 

 

11,051 

-

Construction

10,202 

 

10,088 

 

8,251 

-

Service industries and business activities

53,965 

 

48,578 

 

43,887 

-

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

2,473 

 

2,467 

 

2,767 

-

Property

50,051 

 

46,157 

 

39,296 

Finance leases and instalment credit

15,632 

 

15,632 

 

14,218 

Interest accruals

2,344 

 

1,860 

 

1,497 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total domestic

324,046  

 

281,2 44  

 

251,522 

Overseas residents

98,845 

 

98,845 

 

69,242 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total UK offices

422,891 

 

380,089 

 

320,764  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Overseas

         

US

135,059 

 

87,054 

 

92,166 

Rest of the World

277,738 

 

80,855 

 

57,896 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total Overseas offices

412,797 

 

167,909 

 

150,062 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Loans and advances to customers - gross

835,688 

 

547,998 

 

470,826 

Loan impairment provisions

(6,4 38 )

 

(4,233)

 

(3,933)

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total loans and advances to customers

829,250 

 

543,765 

 

466,893  

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Reverse repurchase agreements included in the analysis above:

           

Central and local government

 

 

3,677 

Finance

55,159 

 

26,984 

 

17,540 

Accruals

228 

 

228 

 

220 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

55,387 

 

27,212 

 

21,437 

Overseas residents

31,425 

 

31,425 

 

18,487 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total UK offices

86,812 

 

58,637 

 

39,924 

US

47,151 

 

15,557 

 

19,383 

Rest of the World

8,394 

 

4,862 

 

3,601 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total

142,357 

 

79,056 

 

62,908 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Loans and advances to customers excluding reverse

         

repurchase agreements - net

686,893 

 

464,709 

 

403,985 

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

ASSET QUALITY (continued)


Risk elements in lending

The Group’s loan control and review procedures do not include the classification of loans as non-accrual, accruing past due, restructured and potential problem loans, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) in the US. The following table shows the estimated amount of loans which would be reported using the SEC’s classifications. The figures are stated before deducting the value of security held or related provisions. REIL, PPL and customer loans and advances are, where appropriate, shown gross of provisions recorded by ABN AMRO at the date of its acquisition by the Group.
 

     

Excluding

   
 

Statutory

 

ABN AMRO

   
 

2007

 

2007

 

2006

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis (2):

         

-

Domestic

5,599

 

5,577

 

5,420

-

Foreign

4,763

 

1,091

 

812

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

 10,362

 

6,668

 

6,232

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Accruing loans which are contractually overdue

         

90 days or more as to principal or interest (3):

         

-

Domestic

217

 

217

 

81

-

Foreign

152

 

39

 

24

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

369

 

256

 

105

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           
 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Total risk elements in lending

10,731

 

6,924

 

6,337

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Potential problem loans (4)

         

-

Domestic

63

 

63

 

47

-

Foreign

608

 

1

 

5

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

 

 671

 

64

 

52

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

           

Closing provisions for impairment as a % of

         

total risk elements in lending and potential problem loans

 

56%

 

 

61%

 

62%

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Risk elements in lending as a % of gross lending to

         

customers excluding reverse repos

1.55%

 

1.48%

 

1.55%

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Risk elements in lending and potential problem loans as a %

         

of gross lending to customers excluding reverse repos

 

1.64%

 

 

1.49%

 

1.57%

 

_______

 

_______

 

_______

Notes:

1.  For the analysis above, 'Domestic' consists of the United Kingdom domestic transactions of the

    Group. 'Foreign' comprises the Group’s transactions conducted through offices outside the

    UK and through those offices in the UK specifically organised to service international banking

    transactions.

2.  All loans against which an impairment provision is held are reported in the non-accrual category.

3.  Loans where an impairment event has taken place but no impairment recognised. This category

     is used for fully collateralised non-revolving credit facilities.

4.  Loans for which an impairment event has occurred but no impairment provision is necessary.

    This category is used for fully collateralised advances and revolving credit facilities

    where identification as 90 days overdue is not feasible.



 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
 

CREDIT MARKET EXPOSURES

Group (in cluding ABN AMRO)

Net exposure at 31 December 2007

Average price

 

£m

%

     

Super senior tranches of ABS CDOs

   

High grade CDOs

2,581

84

Mezzanine CDOs

    1,253 

70

CDO squared

Sub-prime trading inventory

   

       Investment grade

937

79

       Non-investment grade

255

54

Residuals

100

50

Leveraged finance

8,698

95

The Group has a leading position in structuring, distributing and trading asset-backed securities (ABS). These activities include buying mortgage-backed securities, including securities backed by US sub-prime mortgages, and repackaging them into collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) for subsequent sale to investors. The Group retains exposure to some of the super senior tranches of these CDOs which are all carried at fair value.

At 31 December 2007 the Group’s exposure to these super senior tranches, net of hedges and write-downs, totalled £2.6 billion to high grade CDOs, which include commercial loan collateral as well as prime and sub-prime mortgage collateral, and £1.3 billion to mezzanine CDOs, which are based primarily on residential mortgage collateral. Both categories of CDO have high attachment points. There was also £1.2 billion of exposure to sub-prime mortgages through a trading inventory of mortgage-backed securities and CDOs and £100 million through securitisation residuals.
 
In the second half of 2007, rising mortgage delinquencies and expectations of declining house prices in the US led to a deterioration of the estimated value of these exposures. Our valuations of the ABS CDO super senior exposures take into consideration outputs from our proprietary model, observable market benchmarks and prudent valuation adjustments. Trading book exposures and residuals are marked to market on the basis of direct prices, where available, or observable market benchmarks.

 
Since our Trading Update in December, we have decided to take an additional mark-down of 10% on the valuation of high grade CDOs in ABN AMRO’s portfolio.
 

Drawn leveraged finance positions totalled £8.7 billion at 31 December 2007. Positions are valued by considering recent syndication prices in the same or similar assets, prices in the secondary loan market, and with reference to relevant indices for credit products such as the LevX, LCDX and ITraxx and CDX credit default swap indices.
 
 
 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
 

CREDIT MARKET EXPOSURES (continued)

Group (in cluding ABN AMRO)

Exposure net of hedges at 31

December 2007
£m

Alt-A

 

Investment grade

1,972

Non-investment grade

261

CLOs

1,386

Commercial mortgages

8,808

Financial guarantors

2,547

The Group has £2.2 billion of US Alt-A residential mortgage trading inventory, of which more than 85% is investment grade. Collateralised loan obligation exposures totalled £1.4 billion. Commercial mortgage exposure, consisting of loans originated for the purposes of securitisation, totalled £8.8 billion at 31 December. The portfolio consisted predominantly of commercial mortgages originated in Europe. The Group hedges some of its positions with counterparties including financial guarantors. At 31 December 2007 the Group had £2.5 billion of derivative exposure to financial guarantors. All of the above exposures are carried at fair value.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


FAIR VALUE - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction. Fair values are determined from quoted prices in active markets for identical financial assets or financial liabilities where these are available. Where the market for a financial instrument is not active, fair value is established using a valuation technique. These valuation techniques involve a degree of management estimation, the extent of which depends on the instrument’s complexity and the availability of market-based data. Where such data are not observable, they are estimated by management. The table below shows financial instruments carried at fair value at 31 December 2007 in the Group’s financial statements, by valuation method.
 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

2007

 

200 7

 

£bn

 

£ bn

       

Quoted prices in active markets

159.4

 

65.7

       

Valuation techniques

   

 

- based on observable market data

669.5

 

510.3

- incorporating information other than observable data

32.7

 

15.3

 

_______

 

_______

At 31 December

861.6

 

591.3

 

_______

 

_______

Financial assets and liabilities valued based on information other than observable market data include certain syndicated and commercial mortgage loans, certain residual interests in securitisations, super senior tranches of high grade and mezzanine collateralised debt obligations and other sub-prime trading inventory, less liquid debt securities, certain structured debt securities in issue and OTC derivatives. On the initial recognition of financial assets and liabilities valued using valuation techniques incorporating information other than observable market data, any difference between the transaction price and that derived from the valuation technique is deferred. Such amounts are recognised in profit or loss over the life of the transaction; when market data become observable; or when the transaction matures or is closed out as appropriate. At 31 December 2007, net gains of £7 2 million (2006 - £15 million) were carried forward in the balance sheet. During the year net gains of £6 7 million (2006 - £3 million) were deferred and £10 million (2006 - £4 million) released to profit or loss. 
 
 
 
 
 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


DERIVATIVES

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

2007

 

200 7

 

£m

 

£m

Exchange rate contracts

     

Spot, forwards and futures

29,829

 

29,629

Currency swaps

14,785

 

13,789

Options purchased

13,750

 

Options written

 

13,892

       

Interest rate contracts

     

Interest rate swaps

202,478

 

201,487

Options purchased

30,681

 

Options written

 

31,199

F utures and f orwards

807

 

987

       

Credit derivatives

34,123

 

29,855

       

Equity and commodity contracts

10,957

 

11,222

 

_______

 

_______

 

337,410

 

332,060

 

_______

 

_______

       

The Group enters into master netting agreements in respect of its derivatives activities. These arrangements, which give the Group a legal right to set-off derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, do not result in a net presentation in the Group’s balance sheet for which IFRS requires an intention to settle net as well as a legally enforceable right to set off. They are however effective in reducing the Group’s credit exposure from derivative assets. The Group has executed master netting agreement with the majority of its derivative counterparties resulting in a significant reduction in its net exposure to derivative assets. Furthermore it holds substantial collateral against this net derivative asset exposure.


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


MARKET RISK

The Group manages the market risk in its trading and treasury portfolios through its market risk management framework. This expresses limits based on, but not limited to: value-at-risk (VaR); stress testing and scenario analysis; and position and sensitivity analyses. VaR is a technique that produces estimates of the potential negative change in the market value of a portfolio over a specified time horizon at given confidence levels. The table below sets out the VaR, at a 95% confidence level and a one-day time horizon, for the Group's trading and treasury portfolios. The VaR for the Group’s trading portfolios includes idiosyncratic risk and is segregated by type of market risk exposure.
 
 

 

Average

Year end 

Maximum

Minimum

Excluding ABN AMRO

£m

£m 

£m

£m

         

Trading VaR

       

Interest rate

11.7

9.6 

17.6

7.6

Credit spread

17.7

37.9 

44.0

12.6

Currency

2.6

2.6 

6.9

1.1

Equity

2.4

1.9 

6.8

1.4

Commodity

0.2

0.1 

 1.6

-

Diversification effects

 

(12.4)

   
 

_______

_______

_______

_______

31 December 2007

20.3

39.7 

45.5

13.2

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

         

31 December 2006

14.2

15.6 

18.9

10.4

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

         

Treasury VaR

       
         

31 December 2007

3.6

5.3 

5.8

1.3

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

         

31 December 2006

2.4

1.5 

4.4

0.6

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

 

Average

Year end 

Maximum

Minimum

Including ABN AMRO

£m

£m 

£m

£m

         

Trading VaR

       

Interest rate

12.5

15.0 

21.8

7.6

Credit spread

18.8

41.9 

45.2

12.6

Currency

2.6

3.0 

6.9

1.1

Equity

5.4

14.0 

22.0

1.4

Commodity

0.2

0.5 

 1.6

-

Diversification effects

 

(28.7)

   
 

_______

_______

_______

_______

31 December 2007

21.6

45.7 

50.1

13.2

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

         

Treasury VaR

       
         

31 December 2007

3.7

5.5 

6.4

1.3

 

_______

_______

_______

_______

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


MARKET RISK (continued)

The Group's VaR should be interpreted in light of the limitations of the methodologies used. These limitations include:

 

·     

Historical data may not provide the best estimate of the joint distribution of risk factor changes in the future and may fail to capture the risk of possible extreme adverse market movements which have not occurred in the historical window used in the calculations.

 

·     

VaR using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged within one day.

 

·     

VaR using a 95% confidence level does not reflect the extent of potential losses beyond that percentile.

 

The Group largely computes the VaR of trading portfolios at the close of business and positions may change substantially during the course of the trading day. Controls are in place to limit the Group's intra-day exposure, such as the calculation of VaR for selected portfolios. These limitations and the nature of the VaR measure mean that the Group cannot guarantee that losses will not exceed the VaR amounts indicated. The Group undertakes stress testing to identify the potential for losses in excess of the VaR.

The Group’s treasury activities include its money market business and the management of internal funds flow within the Group’s businesses.

 




THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc

OTHER INFORMATION
 

 

2007

 

2006

       

Ordinary share price*

£4.44

 

£ 6. 64

       

Number of ordinary shares in issue*

10,006m

 

9 ,459 m

       

Market capitalisation

£44.4bn

 

£62.8bn

       

Net asset value per ordinary share*

£4.47

 

£ 3. 86

       

Employee numbers in continuing operations
(full time equivalents rounded to the nearest hundred)

     

Global Banking & Markets

10,300

 

8, 600

UK Corporate Banking

9,500

 

8,800

Retail

37,500

 

3 8 , 900

Wealth Management

5,000

 

4,500

Ulster Bank

6,400

 

5 ,6 00

Citizens

22,500

 

23,100

RBS Insurance

17,300

 

17,500

Manufacturing

25,200

 

25, 4 00

Centre

2,900

 

2,600

 

_______

 

_______

Total excluding ABN AMRO

136,600

 

135,000

ABN AMRO

89,800

 

-

 

_______

 

_______

Group total

226,400

 

135,000

 

_______

 

_______

*prior year data have been restated to reflect the two for one bonus issue of ordinary shares in May 2007.

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


RESTATEMENTS
 

Divisional results for 2006 have been restated to reflect transfers of operations and businesses between divisions in 2007, principally the transfer of our European Consumer Finance business from Retail to Ulster Bank. These changes do not affect the Group’s results.

 

Previously 

   
 

reported 

Transfers  

Restated 

 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Global Banking & Markets

     

-

Net interest income

1,629 

1,632 

-

Non-interest income

5,197 

5,199 

-

Other costs

427 

15 

442 

Contribution

3,933 

(10)

3,923 

 

_______

_______

_______

       

UK Corporate Banking

     

-

Net interest income

2,169 

2,173 

-

Non-interest income

1,284 

1,289 

-

Staff costs

562 

564 

-

Other costs

183 

186 

Contribution

2,189 

2,193 

 

_______

_______

_______

       

Retail

     

-

Net interest income

4,211 

(103)

4,108 

-

Non-interest income

3,492 

(34)

3,458 

-

Staff costs

1,349 

(32)

1,317 

-

Other costs

656 

(35)

621 

-

Impairment losses

1,343 

(33)

1,310 

Contribution

3,867 

(37)

3,830 

 

_______

_______

_______

       

Wealth Management

   

 

-

Net interest income

500 

(4)

496 

-

Non-interest income

434 

(41)

393 

-

Other costs

137 

(10)

127 

Contribution

497 

(35)

462 

 

_______

_______

_______

       

Ulster Bank

     

-

Net interest income

773 

100 

873 

-

Non-interest income

215 

37 

252 

-

Staff costs

224 

30 

254 

-

Other costs

91 

40 

131 

-

Impairment losses

71 

33 

104 

Contribution

602 

34 

636 

 

_______

_______

_______

       

Manufacturing

     

-

Staff costs

763 

(1)

762 

-

Other costs

2,089 

21 

2,110 

Contribution

(2,852)

(20)

(2,872)

 

_______

_______

_______

       

Centre

     

-

Funding and corporate costs

917 

(55)

862 

-

Departmental and other costs

451 

(9)

442 

Contribution

(1,368)

64 

(1,304)

 

_______

_______

_______


THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc


FINANCIAL CALENDAR


2008 Annual General Meeting

23 April 2008

at 2pm at the EICC, The Exchange, Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EE

 
   

2007 final dividend payment

6 June 2008

   

2008 interim results announcement

8 August 2008

   

2008 interim dividend payment

October 2008

   

2008 annual results announcement

February 2009



CONTACTS


Sir Fred Goodwin

Group Chief Executive

020 7672 0008

   

0131 523 2203

     

Guy Whittaker

Group Finance Director

020 7672 0003

   

0131 523 2028

     

Richard O’Connor

Head of Investor Relations

020 7672 1758

     

For media enquiries:

   
     

Andrew McLaughlin

Director, Economic and Corporate Affairs

0131 626 3868

   

07786 111689

     

Carolyn McAdam

Group Head of Media Relations

020 7672 1914

   

07796 274968




27 February 2008

1 Includes ABN AMRO from date of acquisition, 17 October 2007

2 P rofit before tax, purchased intangibles amortisation and integration costs

 






Signatures



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 authorized.



Date:28 February 2008

  THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc (Registrant)


  By: /s/ A N Taylor

  Name:
Title:
A N Taylor
Head of Group Secretariat