Royal Bank of Scotland profits come under pressure

Royal Bank of Scotland has reported a dip in first-quarter profit as the lender was held back by economic uncertainty and competitive pressures.

The results come a day after RBS bosses warned over a Brexit-related hit as uncertainty weighs on the economy. Picture: John Devlin

The bank, still 62.4 per cent owned by the taxpayer, saw bottom line profits fall 12.5 per cent to £707 million in the three months to 31 March.

Pre-tax operating profits also came in lower at £1 billion versus £1.2bn as RBS was hit by stiffer competition in the mortgage market and continuing uncertainty among businesses, with many reining in spending as Brexit fears linger.

The results come a day after RBS bosses warned at the bank’s annual general meeting over a Brexit hit as uncertainty weighs on the economy.

Chairman Sir Howard Davies told shareholders that worries over the EU departure were hampering economic growth, which will take its toll on the bank’s performance.

Outgoing chief executive Ross McEwan said: “This is a solid set of results set against a highly uncertain and competitive backdrop.

“We continue to support our customers through this Brexit uncertainty while investing and innovating in digital services to meet rapidly changing customer needs.”

In October RBS set aside £100m to reflect the “more uncertain economic outlook” in Britain ahead of Brexit.

Today the group said that while it is retaining its full year guidance, the “ongoing impact of Brexit uncertainty on the economy, and associated delay in business borrowing decisions, is likely to make income growth more challenging in the near term”.

Nevertheless, profits came in ahead of consensus estimates.

The figures also show that RBS shed £45m in costs over the quarter and is on track to take £300m out of the group by the end of the financial year.

The group is having to come to terms with the departure of McEwan, who announced his departure yesterday after more than five-and-a-half years at the helm.

He has a year’s notice period and will stay in the post until a successor has been appointed, and to ensure an “orderly handover”.

The New Zealander said he had achieved his strategy set out when he joined the bank, having returned the bank to profitability and put it on a firmer financial footing.

Davies said the search for McEwan’s successor will start immediately, with the bank casting the net internally and externally.

Alison Rose, who was recently promoted to deputy chief executive of NatWest Holdings, is seen as the leading internal candidate to take over from McEwan.