Blueprint
 
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 April 26, 2019
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: 
 
 
 
 

 
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Q1 Interim Management Statement
 
RBS reported an operating profit before tax of £1,013 million, compared with £1,213 million in Q1 2018 primarily reflecting £265 million lower income, partially offset by £73 million lower operating expenses.
 
Q1 2019 attributable profit of £707 million compared with £808 million in Q1 2018.
 
Supporting our customers:
 
We continue to support our customers through ongoing UK economic uncertainty. UK Personal Banking (UK PB) gross new mortgage lending was £7.6 billion in the quarter, with net loans to customers of £150.6 billion at Q1 2019. Commercial Banking originated or refinanced £4.6 billion of utilised term lending in the quarter and net loans to customers were £100.8 billion.
 
Across UK PB, Ulster, Commercial and Private Banking net loans to customers increased by 0.8% on an annualised basis.
 
Income stable in a competitive market:
 
Excluding notable items, NatWest Markets (NWM) and Central items, income remained stable compared with Q1 2018.
Across the retail and commercial businesses, net interest margin (NIM) of 2.07% was stable on Q4 2018. Group NIM decreased by 6 basis points to 1.89% reflecting a reclassification of funding costs in NWM and an IFRS 9 accounting change for interest in suspense recoveries.
 
Building a sustainable bank through continued transformation and increased digitisation:
 
We remain on track to meet our £300 million cost reduction target this year, achieving a £45 million reduction in the quarter.
 
We now have 6.6 million regular personal and business users of our mobile app. In UK PB, 73% of our active current account customers are regular digital users and total digital sales increased by 17%, representing 47% of all sales in Q1 2019. In Commercial Banking, we now have over 2,500 users of the Bankline Mobile app, up 19% compared with Q4 2018.
 
Capital generation:
 
CET1 ratio of 16.2%, which excluding the impact of IFRS 16 'Leases' and a 2p dividend accrual, represents an underlying increase of 30 basis points in the quarter.
 
RWAs increased by £2.1 billion compared with Q4 2018 principally reflecting a £1.3 billion increase associated with IFRS 16 'Leases'.
 
Outlook(1)
While we retain the outlook guidance we provided in the 2018 Annual Results document, we recognise that 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.
 
Note:
(1)   The targets, expectations and trends discussed in this section represent management's current expectations and are subject to change, including as a result of the factors described in the "Risk Factors" section on pages 253 to 263 of the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts. These statements constitute forward-looking statements. Refer to Forward-looking statements in this announcement.
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
Performance key metrics and ratios
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
Operating profit before tax
£1,013m
£572m
£1,213m
 
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
£707m
£304m
£808m
 
Net interest margin
1.89%
1.95%
2.04%
 
Net interest margin (excluding NWM)
2.07%
2.07%
2.14%
 
Average interest earning assets
£436bn
£442bn
£427bn
 
Cost:income ratio (1)
63.4%
80.5%
60.5%
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
  - basic
5.9p
2.5p
6.8p
 
  - basic fully diluted
5.8p
2.5p
6.7p
 
Return on tangible equity
8.3%
3.7%
9.4%
 
Average tangible equity
£34bn
£33bn
£34bn
 
Average number of ordinary shares
 
 
 
 
 outstanding during the period (millions)
 
 
 
 
   - basic
12,047 
12,040 
11,956 
 
  -  fully diluted (2)
12,087 
12,081 
12,015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
Balance sheet related key metrics and ratios
2019
2018 
2018
Total assets
£719.1bn
£694.2bn
£738.5bn
Funded assets
£585.1bn
£560.9bn
£588.7bn
Loans to customers - amortised cost
£306.4bn
£305.1bn
£303.8bn
Impairment provisions
£3.1bn
£3.3bn
£4.2bn
Loan impairment rate (3)
11bps
2bps
10bps
Customer deposits
£355.2bn
£360.9bn
£354.5bn
 
 
 
 
Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR)
153%
158%
151%
Liquidity portfolio
£190bn
£198bn
£180bn
Net stable funding ratio (NSFR) (4)
137%
141%
137%
Loan:deposit ratio
86%
85%
86%
Total wholesale funding
£77bn
£74bn
£73bn
Short-term wholesale funding
£19bn
£15bn
£17bn
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier (CET1) ratio
16.2%
16.2%
16.4%
Total capital ratio
21.1%
21.8%
21.6%
Pro forma CET 1 ratio, pre dividend accrual (5)
16.3%
16.9%
 
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs)
£190.8bn
£188.7bn
£202.7bn
CRR leverage ratio
5.2%
5.4%
5.4%
UK leverage ratio
6.0%
6.2%
6.2%
 
 
 
 
Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share
289p
287p
297p
Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share - fully diluted
288p
286p
295p
Tangible equity
£34,962m
£34,566m
£35,644m
Number of ordinary shares in issue (millions)
12,090 
12,049 
11,993 
Number of ordinary shares in issue (millions) - fully diluted (2,6)
12,129 
12,088 
12,075 
 
Notes:
(1)   Operating lease depreciation included in income for Q1 2019 - £34 million; (Q4 2018 - £32 million; Q1 2018 - £31 million).
(2)   Includes the effect of dilutive share options and convertible securities. Dilutive shares on an average basis for Q1 2019 were 40 million shares; (Q4 2018 - 41 million shares, Q1 2018 - 59 million shares), and as at 31 March 2019 were 39 million shares (31 December 2018 - 39 million shares; 31 March 2018 - 82 million shares).
(3)   Loan impairment rate is calculated as the annualised impairment charge for the period as a proportion of gross customer loans.
(4)   In November 2016, the European Commission published its proposal for NSFR rules within the EU as part of its CRR2 package of regulatory reforms. CRR2 NSFR is expected to become the regulatory requirement in future within the EU and the UK. RBS has changed its policy on the NSFR to align with its interpretation of the CRR2 proposals with effect from 1 January 2018.
(5)   The pro forma CET 1 ratio at 31 March 2019 excluded a charge of £242 million (2p per share) for the Q1 2019 foreseeable dividend.  31 December 2018 excluded a charge of £422 million (3.5p per share) for the final dividend and £904 million (7.5p per share) for the special dividend due to be paid following the Annual General Meeting held on 25 April 2019.
(6)   Includes 24 million treasury shares (31 December 2018 - 8 million shares; 31 March 2018 - 18 million shares).
 
 
Re-segmentation
Effective from 1 January 2019, Business Banking has been transferred from UK Personal and Business Banking (UK PBB) to Commercial Banking as the nature of the business, including distribution channels, products and customers, are more closely aligned to the Commercial Banking business. Concurrent with the transfer, UK PBB has been renamed UK Personal Banking (UK PB) and the previous franchise combining UK PBB (now UK PB) and Ulster Bank RoI has been renamed Personal & Ulster. Comparatives have been restated.
 
 
 
Summary consolidated income statement for the period ended 31 March 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
£m
£m
£m
Net interest income
2,033 
2,176 
2,146 
 
 
 
 
Own credit adjustments
(43)
33 
21 
Other non-interest income
1,047 
849 
1,135 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest income
1,004 
882 
1,156 
 
 
 
 
Total income
3,037 
3,058 
3,302 
 
 
 
 
Litigation and conduct costs
(5)
(92)
(19)
Strategic costs
(195)
(355)
(209)
Other expenses
(1,738)
(2,022)
(1,783)
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
(1,938)
(2,469)
(2,011)
 
 
 
 
Profit before impairment losses
1,099 
589 
1,291 
Impairment losses
(86)
(17)
(78)
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before tax
1,013 
572 
1,213 
Tax charge
(216)
(118)
(313)
 
 
 
 
Profit for the period
797 
454 
900 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to:
 
 
 
Ordinary shareholders
707 
304 
808 
Other owners
100 
164 
85 
Non-controlling interests
(10)
(14)
 
 
 
 
Notable items within total income
 
 
 
IFRS volatility in Central items & other (1)
(4)
(25)
(128)
Insurance indemnity in Central items & other
85 
UK PB debt sale gain
35 
26 
FX gain/(losses) in Central items & other
20 
(39)
(15)
Commercial Banking fair value and disposal (loss)/gain
(2)
(10)
77 
NatWest Markets legacy business disposal losses
(4)
(43)
(16)
 
 
 
 
 
Note:
(1)   IFRS volatility relates to loans which are economically hedged but for which hedge accounting is not permitted under IFRS.
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Personal & Ulster
UK Personal Banking
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
 
£m
£m
£m
 
 
£bn
£bn
 
Total income
1,245 
1,246 
1,298 
 
Net loans to customers
150.6 
148.9 
 
Operating expenses
(635)
(757)
(686)
 
Customer deposits
145.7 
145.3 
 
Impairment losses
(112)
(142)
(68)
 
RWAs
35.8 
34.3 
 
Operating profit
498 
347 
544 
 
Loan impairment rate
30bps
38bps
 
Return on equity
24.7%
17.2%
29.9%
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
2.62%
2.60%
2.73%
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
51.0%
60.8%
52.9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UK PB now has 6.1 million regular mobile app users, with 73% of our active current account customers being regular digital users. Total digital sales volumes increased by 17% representing 47% of all sales in Q1 2019. 59% of personal unsecured loan sales were via the digital channel, 4% higher than Q1 2018. 54% of current accounts opened in Q1 2019 were via the digital channel, with digital volumes 44% higher.
Total income was £53 million, or 4.1%, lower than Q1 2018 impacted by a £24 million reduction in debt sale gains, £8 million lower annual insurance profit share and an IFRS 9 accounting change for interest in suspense recoveries of £6 million. Excluding these items, income was £15 million or 1.2% lower than Q1 2018 reflecting a continued competitive mortgage market. Compared with Q4 2018, net interest margin was 2 basis points higher due to the impact of an annual review of mortgage customer behaviour in Q4 2018.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses were £8 million, or 1.3%, lower compared with Q1 2018 as lower operational costs associated with a 12% reduction in headcount were largely offset by increased fraud, investment and technology transformation costs.
Impairments were £44 million higher than Q1 2018 reflecting lower provision releases and recoveries and an increase in the stage 1 and 2 charge, reflecting IFRS 9 predictive loss model adjustments in Q1 2019, following a slight deterioration in default rates.
Compared with Q4 2018, net loans to customers increased by £1.7 billion as a result of strong gross new mortgage lending and lower redemptions. Gross new mortgage lending in the quarter was £7.6 billion, with market flow share of approximately 13% and mortgage approval share of around 12%. 
RWAs increased by £1.5 billion compared with Q4 2018, primarily reflecting an increase in central allocations linked to IFRS 16 changes and predictive loss model adjustments in Q1 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ulster Bank RoI
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
 
€m
€m
€m
 
 
€bn
€bn
 
Total income
166 
165 
165 
 
Net loans to customers
21.1 
21.0 
 
Operating expenses
(156)
(184)
(145)
 
Customer deposits
20.3 
20.1 
 
Impairment releases/(losses)
13 
21 
(9)
 
RWAs
16.4 
16.4 
 
Operating profit
23 
11 
 
Loan impairment rate
(24)bps
(38)bps
 
Return on equity
3.8%
0.4%
1.6%
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
1.65%
1.73%
1.80%
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
93.8%
111.6%
87.7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ulster Bank RoI continues to deliver digital enhancements that improve and simplify the everyday banking experience for customers. The successful launch of paperless processes for everyday banking products has made it easier and quicker for customers to move from application to drawdown. 70% of active personal current account customers are choosing to bank through digital channels. Mobile payments and transfers increased 31% compared with Q1 2018.
Total income remained stable compared with Q1 2018 as a decrease in income associated with the non-performing loan portfolio was offset by an €11 million one-off benefit following a restructure of interest rate swaps on free funds. Compared with Q4 2018, net interest margin was 8 basis points lower as a continued reduction in funding costs was more than offset by a decrease in income associated with the non-performing portfolio.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses were €13 million, or 10.0%, higher than Q1 2018 reflecting the continued focus on strengthening the risk, compliance and control environment, investment in technology capabilities and expenditure on recent mortgage marketing activity.
A net impairment release of €13 million in the quarter reflects an improvement in the performance of the non-performing loan portfolio and an IFRS 9 change in accounting treatment for the recovery of interest in suspense.
Net loans to customers increased by €0.1 billion compared with Q4 2018 primarily driven by growth in the commercial loan portfolio in the quarter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Commercial & Private Banking
Commercial Banking
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
£m
£m
£m
 
 
£bn
£bn
Total income
1,082 
1,116 
1,158 
 
Net loans to customers
100.8 
101.4 
Operating expenses
(640)
(764)
(595)
 
Customer deposits
131.8 
134.4 
Impairment losses
(5)
(5)
(12)
 
RWAs
78.1 
78.4 
Operating profit
437 
347 
551 
 
Loan impairment rate
2bps
2bps
Return on equity
11.5%
8.3%
13.6%
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
1.99%
1.96%
1.91%
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
57.8%
67.5%
50.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Bankline mobile app was successfully launched in the Apple app store in Q4 2018 and now has over 2,500 users, up 19% compared with Q4 2018. The improved lending journey now provides a decision in principle in under 24 hours for approximately 74% of loans, compared with 50% in 2018.
Total income was £76 million, or 6.6%, lower than Q1 2018 reflecting a £79 million reduction in fair value and disposal gains and lower fee income, partially offset by higher deposit income. Compared with Q4 2018, net interest margin increased by 3 basis points to 1.99% due to lower liquidity portfolio costs and deposit funding benefits, partially offset by lower volumes.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses were £28 million, or 5.1% higher, primarily reflecting an £11 million one-off item in Q1 2018, increased remediation spend and higher innovation and technology costs.
Impairments were £7 million lower than Q1 2018 reflecting lower single name charges.
Compared with Q4 2018, net loans to customers decreased by £0.6 billion, or 0.6%, to £100.8 billion. Commercial Banking originated or refinanced £4.6 billion of utilised term lending in the quarter.
Compared with Q4 2018, RWAs were £0.3 billion lower as a result of the transfer of £1.0 billion to Central Items in relation to the 2011 investment in the Business Growth Fund and £0.2 billion to NatWest Markets related to the transition of Western European Corporate clients, partially offset by model changes and the impact of IFRS 16 'Leases'.
 
 
Private Banking
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
£m
£m
£m
 
 
£bn
£bn
Total income
193 
198 
184 
 
Net loans to customers
14.4 
14.3 
Operating expenses
(117)
(143)
(121)
 
Customer deposits
26.9 
28.4 
Impairment releases/(losses)
(1)
 
RWAs
9.6 
9.4 
Operating profit
80 
63 
62 
 
AUM
27.8 
26.4 
Return on equity
17.1%
12.3%
12.5%
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
2.52%
2.49%
2.51%
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
60.6%
72.2%
65.8%
 
 
 
 
Note:
(1)    Private Banking manages assets under management portfolios on behalf of UK Personal Banking and RBS International (Q4 2018 - £6.6 billion and Q1 2019 - £6.8 billion). Prior to Q4 2018, the assets under management portfolios from Personal and RBSI were not included. Private Banking receives a management fee from UK Personal Banking and clients of RBS International in respect of providing this service.
 
Private Banking offers a service-led, digitally enabled experience for its clients, with 73% banking digitally, and 94% of clients positively rate the Coutts24 telephony service. Coutts Connect, the social platform which allows clients to network and build working relationships with one another, now has over 1,500 users with more than half of conversations client to client.
Total income was £9 million, or 4.9%, higher than Q1 2018 reflecting increased deposit income and higher lending balances. Compared with Q4 2018, net interest margin increased by 3 basis points due to deposit funding benefits and lower liquidity portfolio costs, partially offset by ongoing asset margin pressure.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses were £2 million, or 1.8%, lower primarily reflecting lower back office operations costs.
Net loans to customers increased by £0.1 billion compared with Q4 2018, driven by mortgage lending.
Assets under management (AUM) increased by £1.4 billion compared with Q4 2018 to £27.8 billion driven by new business inflows of £0.1 billion and investment performance.
 
 
Business performance summary
RBS International
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
 
£m
£m
£m
 
 
£bn
£bn
 
Total income
151 
155 
137 
 
Net loans to customers
13.3 
13.3 
 
Operating expenses
(59)
(86)
(59)
 
Customer deposits
27.6 
27.5 
 
Impairment releases
 
RWAs
7.0 
6.9 
 
Operating profit
93 
71 
78 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on equity
28.6%
20.0%
23.2%
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
1.70%
1.81%
1.57%
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
39.1%
55.5%
43.1%
 
 
 
 
 
The RBS International mobile app now has 69,000 users, an increase of 24% year on year. 90% of wholesale customer payments are now processed using the newly introduced international banking platform, making the payments process simpler for customers.
Total income was £14 million, or 10.2%, higher than Q1 2018 driven by deposit margin benefits. Compared with Q4 2018, net interest margin decreased by 11 basis points due to a one-off benefit in Q4 2018 and ongoing higher funding costs associated with becoming a non ring-fenced bank.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses were £4 million, or 6.8%, lower reflecting decreased remediation spend and lower back office operations costs.
Net loans to customers remained stable compared with Q4 2018. Customer deposits increased by £0.1 billion compared with Q4 2018 primarily due to customer activity in Institutional Banking.
In the quarter, RBS International continued to diversify its liquidity portfolio, increasing the position in sovereign bonds with this portfolio expected to modestly increase in scale over future quarters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NatWest Markets(1)
 
Quarter ended
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
 
2019 
2018 
 
£m
£m
£m
 
 
£bn
£bn
Total income
256  
152  
437  
 
Funded assets
138.8  
111.4  
Operating expenses
(334)
(455)
(349)
 
RWAs
44.6  
44.9  
Impairment releases
16  
100  
9  
 
 
 
 
Operating (loss)/profit
(62)
(203)
97  
 
 
 
 
Return on equity
(2.4%)
(9.2%)
2.0%
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin (2)
(0.39%)
0.39%
0.54%
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio
130.5%
299.3%
79.9%
 
 
 
 
Notes:
(1)   The NatWest Markets operating segment should not be assumed to be the same as the NatWest Markets Plc legal entity or group. NatWest Markets Plc entity includes the Central items & other segment but excludes NatWest Markets N.V. for statutory reporting. For the quarter ended 31 March 2019, NatWest Markets Plc's (consolidated legal entity) results are estimated as: total income of £276 million, operating expenses of £231 million, impairment releases of £20 million, operating profit before tax of £65 million, funded assets(excluding intra-group assets) of £130.8 billion and total assets of £273.6 billion. The key difference between the NWM segment and NWM legal entity operating profit for the quarter ended 31 March 2019 largely relates to expense items, including one-off recoveries, that form part of Central items and other. The remaining difference relates primarily to NatWest Markets N.V.
(2)   From 1 January 2019, funding costs of the trading book have been reclassified from trading income to net interest income.
 
NatWest Markets is increasingly using technology to enhance the way it provides innovative financial solutions to customers. For example, through our automated pricing tool FXmicropay we make it simpler for businesses operating globally to accept payments in multiple currencies. We have now made FXmicropay available on an e-commerce web platform, SAP Commerce Cloud, helping online businesses easily integrate the tool and capture foreign exchange margins via their platform.
Total income was £181 million, or 41.4%, lower than Q1 2018 reflecting a £35 million reduction in the core business, an £83 million decrease in legacy income and a £63 million deterioration in own credit adjustments. Income in the core business fell by 8.5% to £377 million as customer activity fell in uncertain market conditions. Legacy income reduced as funding costs associated with former RBS plc debt are now reported wholly in NatWest Markets rather than being partially allocated to other segments. The larger part of this former RBS plc debt is due to mature by early 2020. Income from own credit adjustments deteriorated due to a substantial reduction in funding spreads.
Excluding strategic, litigation and conduct costs, operating expenses reduced by £10 million, or 3.1%, compared with Q1 2018 reflecting lower support costs.
RWAs decreased by £0.3 billion compared with Q4 2018 driven by legacy reductions partially offset by a £0.2 billion transfer of Western European Corporate clients from Commercial Banking. Legacy RWAs are now £12.9 billion including Alawwal Bank RWAs of £5.6 billion.
Central items & other
Central items not allocated represented a charge of £53 million in the quarter, principally reflecting £61 million of strategic costs.
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
Capital and leverage ratios
 
 
 
End-point CRR basis (1)
 
31 March 
31 December 
 
2019 
2018 
Risk asset ratios
CET1
16.2 
16.2 
Tier 1
18.3 
18.4 
Total
21.1 
21.8 
 
 
 
Capital
£m
£m
 
 
 
Tangible equity
34,962 
34,566 
 
 
 
Expected loss less impairment provisions
(682)
(654)
Prudential valuation adjustment
(448)
(494)
Deferred tax assets
(720)
(740)
Own credit adjustments
(311)
(405)
Pension fund assets
(389)
(394)
Cash flow hedging reserve
49 
191 
Foreseeable ordinary dividends
(1,568)
(1,326)
Other deductions
(4)
(105)
 
 
 
Total deductions
(4,073)
(3,927)
 
 
 
CET1 capital
30,889 
30,639 
AT1 capital
4,051 
4,051 
 
 
 
Tier 1 capital
34,940 
34,690 
Tier 2 capital
5,242 
6,483 
 
 
 
Total regulatory capital
40,182 
41,173 
 
 
 
Risk-weighted assets
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk
 
 
  - non-counterparty
139,300 
137,900 
  - counterparty
14,700 
13,600 
Market risk
14,200 
14,800 
Operational risk
22,600 
22,400 
 
 
 
Total RWAs
190,800 
188,700 
 
 
 
Leverage
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and balances at central banks
83,800 
88,900 
Trading assets
89,100 
75,100 
Derivatives
134,100 
133,300 
Loans
319,400 
318,000 
Other assets
92,700 
78,900 
 
 
 
Total assets
719,100 
694,200 
Derivatives
 
 
  - netting and variation margin
(143,000)
(141,300)
  - potential future exposures
43,100 
42,100 
Securities financing transactions gross up
1,900 
2,100 
Undrawn commitments
48,900 
50,300 
Regulatory deductions and other adjustments
(3,200)
(2,900)
 
 
 
CRR leverage exposure
666,800 
644,500 
 
 
 
CRR leverage ratio %
5.2 
5.4 
 
 
 
UK leverage exposure (2)
586,700 
559,500 
 
 
 
UK leverage ratio % (2)
6.0 
6.2 
 
 
 
Notes:
(1)   Based on end-point CRR Tier 1 capital and leverage exposure under the CRR Delegated Act.
(2)   Based on end-point CRR Tier 1 capital and UK leverage exposures reflecting the post EU referendum measures announced by the Bank of England in the third quarter of 2016.
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2019
Personal & Ulster
 
Commercial & Private
 
 
 
Central
 
 
UK Personal
Ulster
 
Commercial
Private
RBS
 
NatWest
items &
Total
 
Banking
Bank RoI
 
Banking
Banking
International
 
Markets
other (1)
RBS
 
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,052 
98 
 
708 
132 
117 
 
(31)
(43)
2,033 
Other non-interest income
193 
47 
 
374 
61 
34 
 
329 
1,047 
Own credit adjustments
 
 
(42)
(1)
(43)
Total income
1,245 
145 
 
1,082 
193 
151 
 
256 
(35)
3,037 
Direct expenses - staff costs
(158)
(52)
 
(190)
(41)
(28)
 
(173)
(294)
(936)
                           - other costs
(74)
(26)
 
(75)
(18)
(13)
 
(48)
(548)
(802)
Indirect expenses
(378)
(47)
 
(309)
(51)
(14)
 
(89)
888 
Strategic costs  - direct
(5)
 
(20)
(2)
 
(18)
(150)
(195)
                          - indirect
(26)
(5)
 
(36)
(7)
(2)
 
(13)
89 
Litigation and conduct costs
(1)
 
(10)
 
(2)
(5)
Operating expenses
(635)
(136)
 
(640)
(117)
(59)
 
(334)
(17)
(1,938)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment (losses)/releases
610 
 
442 
76 
92 
 
(78)
(52)
1,099 
Impairment (losses)/releases
(112)
11 
 
(5)
 
16 
(1)
(86)
Operating profit/(loss)
498 
20 
 
437 
80 
93 
 
(62)
(53)
1,013 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (2)
24.7%
3.8%
 
11.5%
17.1%
28.6%
 
(2.4%)
nm
8.3%
Cost:income ratio (3)
51.0%
93.8%
 
57.8%
60.6%
39.1%
 
130.5%
nm
63.4%
Loan impairment rate (4)
30bps
(23)bps
 
2bps
nm
nm
 
nm
nm
11bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.2)
(0.7)
 
(1.0)
 
(0.1)
(0.1)
(3.1)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(0.6)
(0.6)
 
(0.8)
 
(0.1)
(2.1)
Net interest margin
2.62%
1.65%
 
1.99%
2.52%
1.70%
 
(0.39%)
nm
1.89%
Third party customer asset rate
3.31%
2.32%
 
3.22%
3.01%
1.72%
 
nm
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate
(0.37%)
(0.19%)
 
(0.47%)
(0.42%)
(0.15%)
 
nm
nm
nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn)
162.9 
24.1 
 
144.6 
21.2 
27.8 
 
32.1 
23.1 
435.8 
Total assets (£bn)
172.2 
24.8 
 
165.4 
21.7 
28.9 
 
272.8 
33.3 
719.1 
Funded assets (£bn)
172.2 
24.8 
 
165.4 
21.7 
28.9 
 
138.8 
33.3 
585.1 
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
150.6 
18.2 
 
100.8 
14.4 
13.3 
 
9.1 
306.4 
Customer deposits (£bn)
145.7 
17.5 
 
131.8 
26.9 
27.6 
 
2.7 
3.0 
355.2 
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
35.8 
14.2 
 
78.1 
9.6 
7.0 
 
44.6 
1.5 
190.8 
RWA equivalent (RWAes) (£bn)
36.8 
14.2 
 
79.9 
9.6 
7.1 
 
49.1 
2.0 
198.7 
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
21.6 
3.1 
 
10.3 
1.9 
1.7 
 
5.0 
23.3 
66.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the notes to this table, refer to page 10. nm = not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
Quarter ended 31 December 2018
Personal & Ulster
 
Commercial & Private
 
 
 
Central
 
 
UK Personal
Ulster
 
Commercial
Private
RBS
 
NatWest
items &
Total
 
Banking
Bank RoI
 
Banking
Banking
International
 
Markets
other (1)
RBS
 
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,061 
110 
 
724 
133 
123 
 
30 
(5)
2,176 
Other non-interest income
185 
37 
 
392 
65 
32 
 
89 
49 
849 
Own credit adjustments
 
 
33 
33 
Total income
1,246 
147 
 
1,116 
198 
155 
 
152 
44 
3,058 
Direct expenses - staff costs
(166)
(53)
 
(185)
(39)
(25)
 
(128)
(263)
(859)
                           - other costs
(80)
(27)
 
(77)
(22)
(22)
 
(65)
(870)
(1,163)
Indirect expenses
(414)
(52)
 
(403)
(72)
(35)
 
(123)
1,099 
Strategic costs  - direct
(27)
(3)
 
(5)
(1)
 
(89)
(230)
(355)
                         - indirect
(63)
(12)
 
(57)
(10)
(2)
 
(22)
166 
Litigation and conduct costs
(7)
(17)
 
(37)
(1)
 
(28)
(2)
(92)
Operating expenses
(757)
(164)
 
(764)
(143)
(86)
 
(455)
(100)
(2,469)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment (losses)/releases
489 
(17)
 
352 
55 
69 
 
(303)
(56)
589 
Impairment (losses)/releases
(142)
19 
 
(5)
 
100 
(17)
Operating profit/(loss)
347 
 
347 
63 
71 
 
(203)
(55)
572 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (2)
17.2%
0.4%
 
8.3%
12.3%
20.0%
 
(9.2%)
nm
3.7%
Cost:income ratio (3)
60.8%
111.6%
 
67.5%
72.2%
55.5%
 
299.3%
nm
80.5%
Loan impairment rate (4)
38bps
(39)bps
 
2bps
nm
nm
 
nm
nm
2bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.1)
(0.8)
 
(1.3)
 
(0.1)
(3.3)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(0.6)
(0.6)
 
(1.0)
 
(0.1)
(2.3)
Net interest margin
2.60%
1.73%
 
1.96%
2.49%
1.81%
 
0.39%
nm
1.95%
Third party customer asset rate
3.33%
2.43%
 
3.19%
2.94%
1.73%
 
nm
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate
(0.36%)
(0.18%)
 
(0.44%)
(0.38%)
(0.08%)
 
nm
nm
nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn)
161.7 
25.2 
 
146.7 
21.2 
26.9 
 
30.4 
30.0 
442.1 
Total assets (£bn)
171.0 
25.2 
 
166.4 
22.0 
28.4 
 
244.5 
36.7 
694.2 
Funded assets (£bn)
171.0 
25.2 
 
166.4 
22.0 
28.4 
 
111.4 
36.5 
560.9 
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
148.9 
18.8 
 
101.4 
14.3 
13.3 
 
8.4 
305.1 
Customer deposits (£bn)
145.3 
18.0 
 
134.4 
28.4 
27.5 
 
2.6 
4.7 
360.9 
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
34.3 
14.7 
 
78.4 
9.4 
6.9 
 
44.9 
0.1 
188.7 
RWA equivalent (RWAes) (£bn)
35.5 
14.7 
 
79.7 
9.5 
6.9 
 
50.0 
0.2 
196.5 
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
21.7 
3.1 
 
10.3 
1.9 
1.7 
 
4.8 
23.6 
67.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the notes to this table, refer to page 10. nm = not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2018
 
Personal & Ulster
 
Commercial & Private
 
 
 
Central
 
 
UK Personal
Ulster
 
Commercial
Private
RBS
 
NatWest
items &
Total
 
Banking
Bank RoI
 
Banking
Banking
International
 
Markets
other (1)
RBS
 
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,068 
106 
 
683 
123 
104 
 
36 
26 
2,146 
Other non-interest income
230 
40 
 
475 
61 
33 
 
380 
(84)
1,135 
Own credit adjustments
 
 
21 
21 
Total income
1,298 
146 
 
1,158 
184 
137 
 
437 
(58)
3,302 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct expenses  - staff costs
(178)
(49)
 
(188)
(43)
(24)
 
(165)
(317)
(964)
                            - other costs
(65)
(19)
 
(47)
(14)
(15)
 
(53)
(606)
(819)
Indirect expenses
(374)
(47)
 
(311)
(55)
(20)
 
(102)
909 
Strategic costs - direct
(7)
(1)
 
(6)
(1)
 
(17)
(177)
(209)
                         - indirect
(61)
(3)
 
(42)
(8)
(1)
 
(6)
121 
Litigation and conduct costs
(1)
(9)
 
(1)
 
(6)
(3)
(19)
Operating expenses
(686)
(128)
 
(595)
(121)
(59)
 
(349)
(73)
(2,011)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment (losses)/releases
612 
18 
 
563 
63 
78 
 
88 
(131)
1,291 
Impairment (losses)/releases
(68)
(8)
 
(12)
(1)
 
(78)
Operating profit/(loss)
544 
10 
 
551 
62 
78 
 
97 
(129)
1,213 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (2)
29.9%
1.6%
 
13.6%
12.5%
23.2%
 
2.0%
nm
9.4%
Cost:income ratio (3)
52.9%
87.7%
 
50.0%
65.8%
43.1%
 
79.9%
nm
60.5%
Loan impairment rate (4)
18bps
16bps
 
5bps
nm
nm
 
nm
nm
10bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.3)
(1.2)
 
(1.5)
(0.1)
 
(0.2)
0.1 
(4.2)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(0.8)
(1.0)
 
(1.4)
 
(0.1)
(3.3)
Net interest margin
2.73%
1.80%
 
1.91%
2.51%
1.57%
 
0.54%
nm
2.04%
Third party customer asset rate
3.41%
2.39%
 
2.90%
2.89%
2.57%
 
nm
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate
(0.29%)
(0.21%)
 
(0.26%)
(0.19%)
(0.07%)
 
nm
nm
nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn)
158.4 
23.9 
 
144.8 
19.8 
26.9 
 
27.3 
26.3 
427.4 
Total assets (£bn)
166.3 
23.4 
 
165.6 
20.4 
28.0 
 
283.8 
51.0 
738.5 
Funded assets (£bn)
166.3 
23.3 
 
165.5 
20.4 
28.0 
 
135.2 
50.0 
588.7 
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
145.9 
19.0 
 
102.9 
13.7 
13.1 
 
9.4 
(0.2)
303.8 
Customer deposits (£bn)
142.9 
16.4 
 
131.1 
25.3 
26.9 
 
3.8 
8.1 
354.5 
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
31.5 
16.9 
 
84.3 
9.4 
7.0 
 
53.1 
0.5 
202.7 
RWA equivalent (RWAes) (£bn)
32.2 
17.4 
 
88.9 
9.4 
7.0 
 
56.5 
0.9 
212.3 
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
24.5 
3.0 
 
10.7 
1.9 
1.7 
 
5.7 
23.4 
70.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
nm = not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
(1)   Central items include unallocated transactions which principally comprise volatile items under IFRS and RMBS related charges.
(2)   RBS's CET 1 target is around 14% but for the purposes of computing segmental return on equity (ROE), to better reflect the differential drivers of capital usage, segmental operating profit after tax and adjusted for preference dividends is divided by notional equity allocated at different rates of 15% (Ulster Bank RoI, 14% prior to Q1 2019), 12% (Commercial Banking), 13% (Private Banking, 13.5% prior to Q1 2019), 16% (RBS International - 12% prior to Q4 2017)) and 15% for all other segments, of the monthly average of segmental risk-weighted assets incorporating the effect of capital deductions (RWAes). RBS return on equity is calculated using profit for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders.
(3)   Operating lease depreciation included in income (Q1 2019 - £34 million; Q4 2018 - £32 million; Q1 2018 - £31 million).
(4)   Loan impairment rate is calculated as the annualised charge for the period as a proportion of gross customer loans.
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated income statement for the period ended 31 March 2019 (unaudited)
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
2019 
2018 
2018 
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
Interest receivable
2,747 
2,825 
2,702 
Interest payable
(714)
(649)
(556)
Net interest income (1)
2,033 
2,176 
2,146 
 
 
 
 
Fees and commissions receivable
905 
785 
813 
Fees and commissions payable
(244)
(190)
(207)
Income from trading activities
224 
161 
465 
Other operating income
119 
126 
85 
Non-interest income
1,004 
882 
1,156 
Total income
3,037 
3,058 
3,302 
 
 
 
 
Staff costs
(1,011)
(1,014)
(1,055)
Premises and equipment
(265)
(411)
(370)
Other administrative expenses
(418)
(851)
(399)
Depreciation and amortisation
(244)
(187)
(163)
Write down of other intangible assets
(6)
(24)
Operating expenses
(1,938)
(2,469)
(2,011)
 
 
 
 
Profit before impairment losses
1,099 
589 
1,291 
Impairment losses
(86)
(17)
(78)
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before tax
1,013 
572 
1,213 
Tax charge
(216)
(118)
(313)
 
 
 
 
Profit for the period
797 
454 
900 
Attributable to:
 
 
 
Ordinary shareholders
707 
304 
808 
Other owners
100 
164 
85 
Non-controlling interests
(10)
(14)
 
 
 
 
Earnings per ordinary share
5.9p
2.5p
6.8p
Earnings per ordinary share - fully diluted
5.8p
2.5p
6.7p
 
Note:
(1)   Negative interest on loans is reported as interest payable. Negative interest on customer deposits is reported as interest receivable.
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period ended 31 March 2019 (unaudited)
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2019
2018 
2018
 
£m
£m
£m
Profit for the period
797 
454 
900 
Items that do not qualify for reclassification
 
 
 
Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes
 
 
 
 - contributions in preparation for ring-fencing (1)
 - 
(53)
 - 
 - other movements
(42)
14 
 - 
(Loss)/profit on fair value of credit in financial liabilities designated at FVTPL due to
 
 
 
  own credit risk
(46)
91 
61 
Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) financial assets
42 
(13)
 - 
Tax
32 
15 
(13)
 
(14)
54 
48 
Items that do qualify for reclassification
 
 
 
Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) financial assets
41 
(24)
131 
Cash flow hedges
188 
241 
(584)
Currency translation
(350)
190 
(73)
Tax
(40)
(35)
126 
 
(161)
372 
(400)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income after tax
(175)
426 
(352)
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period
622 
880 
548 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income/(loss) is attributable to:
 
 
 
Ordinary shareholders
558 
727 
474 
Preference shareholders
10 
88 
18 
Paid-in equity holders
90 
76 
67 
Non-controlling interests
(36)
(11)
(11)
 
622 
880 
548 
Note:
(1)
On 17 April 2018 RBS agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Trustees of the RBS Group Pension Fund in connection with the requirements of ring-fencing.  NatWest Markets Plc could not continue to be a participant in the Main section and separate arrangements have been made for its employees. Under the MoU, on 9 October 2018, NatWest Bank Plc made a contribution of £2 billion to strengthen funding of the Main section relating to the ring-fenced bank. In Q1 2019 NatWest Markets Plc paid a contribution of £53 million to the new NatWest Markets section relating to the non-ring fenced bank. 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2019 (unaudited)
 
 
31 March
31 December
2019 
2018 
 
£m
£m 
Assets
 
 
Cash and balances at central banks
83,800 
88,897 
Trading assets
89,101 
75,119 
Derivatives
134,079 
133,349 
Settlement balances
13,556 
2,928 
Loans to banks - amortised costs
13,042 
12,947 
Loans to customers - amortised cost
306,400 
305,089 
Other financial assets
62,058 
59,485 
Intangible assets
6,616 
6,616 
Other assets
10,484 
9,805 
 
 
 
Total assets
719,136 
694,235 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Bank deposits
25,188 
23,297 
Customer deposits
355,186 
360,914 
Settlement balances
12,981 
3,066 
Trading liabilities
86,554 
72,350 
Derivatives
130,606 
128,897 
Other financial liabilities
42,404 
39,732 
Subordinated liabilities
9,651 
10,535 
Other liabilities
9,716 
8,954 
Total liabilities
672,286 
647,745 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 
Ordinary shareholders' interests
41,578 
41,182 
Other owners' interests
4,554 
4,554 
Owners' equity
46,132 
45,736 
Non-controlling interests
718 
754 
 
 
 
Total equity
46,850 
46,490 
Total liabilities and equity
719,136 
694,235 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period ended 31 March 2019 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
capital and
 
 
 
Total
Non
 
 
statutory
Paid-in
Retained
Other
owners'
controlling
Total
 
reserves
equity
earnings
reserves*
equity
 interests
equity
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
At 1 January 2019
13,055 
4,058 
14,312 
14,311 
45,736 
754 
46,490 
Implementation of IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019 (1)
(187)
(187)
(187)
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  and other equity owners
807 
807 
(10)
797 
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   -  other movements
(42)
(42)
(42)
 - Changes in fair value of credit in financial liabilities at
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    fair value through profit or loss
(46)
(46)
(46)
 - Other amounts recognised in equity
28 
28 
(26)
 - Amount transferred from equity to earnings
(81)
(81)
(81)
 - Tax
18 
(26)
(8)
(8)
Preference share dividends paid
(100)
(100)
(100)
Shares and securities issued during the period
100 
100 
100 
Share-based payments - gross
(35)
(35)
(35)
Movement in own shares held
(40)
(40)
(40)
At 31 March 2019
13,115 
4,058 
14,727 
14,232 
46,132 
718 
46,850 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 March
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019 
Total equity is attributable to:
 
 
 
 
£m
Ordinary shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
41,578 
Preference shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
496 
Paid-in equity holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,058 
Non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
718 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46,850 
*Other reserves consist of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merger reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,881 
Fair value through other comprehensive income reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
436 
Cash flow hedging reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
(49)
Foreign exchange reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,964 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14,232 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:
(1)   Refer to Note 1 for further information.
 
 
 
Notes
1. Basis of preparation
The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with RBS's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee of the IASB as adopted by the European Union (EU) (together IFRS).
 
Accounting policies
The Group's principal accounting policies are as set out on pages 182 to 186 of the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts and are unchanged other than as presented below.
 
Changes in reporting standards
IAS 12 'Income taxes' was revised with effect from 1 January 2019. The income statement is now required to include any tax relief on the servicing cost of instruments classified as equity. Relief of £67 million was recognised in the statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2018; this and prior periods have been restated.
 
Presentation of interest on suspense recoveries
Until 1 January 2019, interest on suspense recoveries was presented as a component of interest receivable within Net interest income. It amounted to £11 million for the period ended 31 March 2019. From 1 January 2019 interest on suspense recoveries is presented within impairment charges; prior periods were presented as income. It is unpredictable by nature but is not expected to be material.  Comparatives have not been restated.
 
Revised Accounting policy 10 - Leases
The Group has adopted IFRS 16 'Leases' with effect from 1 January 2019, replacing IAS 17 'Leases'. The Group has applied IFRS 16 on a modified retrospective basis without restating prior years. Accounting policy note 10 presented in the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts has been updated as follows:
 
As lessor
Finance lease contracts are those which transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset to a customer. All other contracts with customers to lease assets are classified as operating leases.
 
Loans to customers include finance lease receivables measured at the net investment in the lease, comprising the minimum lease payments and any unguaranteed residual value discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. Interest receivable includes finance lease income recognised at a constant periodic rate of return before tax on the net investment. Unguaranteed residual values are subject to regular review; if there is a reduction in their value, income allocation is revised and any reduction in respect of amounts accrued is recognised immediately.
 
Rental income from operating leases is recognised in other operating income on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless another systematic basis better represents the time pattern of the asset's use. Operating lease assets are included within Property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their useful lives.
 
As lessee
On entering a new lease contract, the Group recognises a right of use asset and a liability to pay future rentals. The liability is measured at the present value of future lease payments discounted at the applicable incremental borrowing rate. The right of use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the term of the lease and the useful economic life, subject to review for impairment. Short term and low value leased assets are expensed on a systematic basis.
 
Notes
1. Basis of preparation continued
For further details see page 186 of RBS's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts. The impact on RBS's balance sheet at 1 January 2019 is as follows:
 
£bn
Retained earnings at 31 December 2018
14.3 
Loans to customers - Finance leases
0.2 
Other assets - Net right use of assets
1.3 
 - Recognition of lease liabilities
(1.9)
 - Provision for onerous leases
0.2 
Other liabilities
(1.7)
 
 
Net impact on retained earnings
(0.2)
Retained earnings at 1 January 2019
14.1 
 
Operating lease commitments reported under IAS 17 were £2.7 billion which resulted in lease liabilities recognised under IFRS 16 of £1.9 billion. The difference is primarily because of the different treatment of termination and extension options; and discounting the contractual lease payments under IFRS 16.
 
Critical accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The judgements and assumptions that are considered to be the most important to the portrayal of the Group's financial condition are those relating to goodwill, provisions for liabilities, deferred tax, loan impairment provisions and fair value of financial instruments. These critical accounting policies and judgements are described on page 186 of RBS's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts.
 
Going concern
Having reviewed RBS's forecasts, projections and other relevant evidence, the directors have a reasonable expectation that RBS will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the results for the period ended 31 March 2019 have been prepared on a going concern basis.
 
 
 
 
2. Provisions for liabilities and charges
 
Payment
Other
Litigation and
 
 
 
protection
 customer
other regulatory
 
 
 
insurance
 redress
(incl. RMBS)
Other (1)
Total
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
At 1 January 2019
695 
536 
783 
990 
3,004 
Implementation of IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019
(170)
(170)
IFRS 9 - Impairment charges - Movements on ECL
(3)
(3)
Transfer to accruals and other liabilities
(4)
(3)
Currency translation and other movements
(7)
(6)
(16)
(29)
Charge to income statement
17 
33 
55 
Releases to income statement
(12)
(9)
(16)
(37)
Provisions utilised
(136)
(81)
(6)
(114)
(337)
At 31 March 2019
559 
449 
767 
705 
2,480 
 
Note:
(1)   Materially comprises provisions relating to property closures and restructuring costs.
 
On 5 February 2019 the Official Receiver appointed Deloitte to assist in the identification of potential claimants in respect of PPI. The extent of the Group's share of any obligation in respect of ensuing claims cannot be ascertained with sufficient reliability for inclusion in the provision at 31 March 2019.
 
There are uncertainties as to the eventual cost of redress in relation to certain of the provisions contained in the table above. Assumptions relating to these are inherently uncertain and the ultimate financial impact may be different from the amount provided.
 
 
 
Notes
3. Litigation, investigations and reviews
RBS's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts, issued on 15 February 2019, included comprehensive disclosures about RBS's litigation, investigations and reviews in Note 27 on the accounts. Set out below are the material developments in these matters since the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts were published. RBS generally does not disclose information about the establishment or existence of a provision for a particular matter where disclosure of the information can be expected to prejudice seriously RBS's position in the matter.
 
Litigation
Government securities antitrust litigation
In March 2019, class action antitrust claims were filed in the United States District Courts for the District of Connecticut and the Southern District of New York against Bank of America and NatWest Markets Plc, as well as NatWest Markets Securities Inc. and (in the Connecticut case) NatWest Plc. The complaints allege a conspiracy among dealers of Euro-denominated bonds issued by European central banks (EGBs), to widen the bid-ask spreads they quoted to customers, thereby increasing the prices customers paid for the EGBs or decreasing the prices at which customers sold the bonds. The class consists of those who purchased or sold EGBs in the US between 2007 and 2012.
 
US Anti-Terrorism Act litigation
On 31 March 2019, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York granted summary judgment in favour of NatWest Plc in the Anti-Terrorism Act case relating to accounts previously maintained for the Palestine Relief & Development Fund, an organisation which plaintiffs allege solicited funds for Hamas, the alleged perpetrator of the terrorist attacks in Israel which harmed the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs have commenced an appeal of the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 
 
On 28 March 2019, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted defendants' motion to dismiss one of the Anti-Terrorism Act cases pending against NatWest Markets N.V., NatWest Markets Plc, and other financial institutions, relating to terrorist attacks in Iraq allegedly perpetrated by Hezbollah and certain Iraqi terror cells. The dismissal is subject to re-pleading by the plaintiffs or appeal. Similar Anti-Terrorism Act claims against NatWest Markets N.V. remain subject to a pending motion to dismiss in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. 
 
Investigations and reviews
RMBS and other securitised products investigations
In October 2017, NatWest Markets Securities Inc. entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut (USAO) in connection with alleged misrepresentations to counterparties relating to secondary trading in various form of asset-backed securities. In the NPA, the USAO agreed not to file criminal charges relating to certain conduct and information described in the NPA if NatWest Markets Securities Inc. complies with the NPA during its term. In April 2019, NatWest Markets Securities Inc. agreed to a second six-month extension of the NPA while the USAO reviews the circumstances of an unrelated matter reported during the course of the NPA.
 
Response to reports concerning certain historic Russian and Lithuanian transactions
Media coverage in March 2019 highlighted an alleged money laundering scheme involving Russian and Lithuanian entities between 2006 and 2013. Allegedly certain European banks and at least one US bank, were involved in processing certain transactions associated with this scheme. The reports allege that ABN AMRO and Coutts were amongst those institutions. RBS is investigating these reports, and in particular whether the relevant business unit of ABN AMRO was part of the business acquired by RBS in 2007. RBS is responding to regulatory requests for information.
 
 
 
 
4. Post balance sheet events
Other than as disclosed there have been no other significant events between 31 March 2019 and the date of approval of these accounts which would require a change to or additional disclosure in the accounts.
 
 
 
Additional information
 
Presentation of information
In this document, 'RBSG plc' or the 'parent company' refers to The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, and 'RBS' or the 'Group' refers to RBSG plc and its subsidiaries.
 
Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 ('the Act'). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 31 December 2018 will be filed with the register of companies following the Annual General Meeting. The report of the auditor on those statutory accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act.
 
Key operating indicators
As described in Note 1 on page 15, RBS prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB which constitutes a body of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This document contains a number of adjusted or alternative performance measures, also known as non-GAAP financial measures. These measures exclude certain items which management believe are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison. These measures include:
●     Performance, funding and credit metrics such as 'return on tangible equity', and related RWA equivalents incorporating the effect of capital deductions (RWAes), total assets excluding derivatives (funded assets), net interest margin (NIM) adjusted for items designated at fair value through profit or loss (non-statutory NIM), NIM  excluding NatWest Markets, cost:income ratio and loan:deposit ratio. These are internal metrics used to measure business performance;
●     Personal & Ulster franchise results combining the reportable segments of UK Personal Banking and Ulster Bank RoI and the Commercial & Private Banking franchise results, combining the reportable segments of Commercial Banking and Private Banking.
●     The Group also presents a pro forma CET1 ratio which is on an adjusted basis, this has not been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X and should be read in conjunction with the notes provided as well as the section "Forward-looking statements" below.
 
Q1 2019 segmental re-organisation
Effective from 1 January 2019, Business Banking has been transferred from UK Personal and Business Bank (UK PBB) to Commercial Banking as the nature of the business, including distribution channels, products and customers, are more closely aligned to the Commercial Business. Following the transfer, UK PBB has been renamed UK Personal Banking (UK PB) and the previous franchise combining UK PBB (now UK PB) and Ulster Bank RoI has been renamed Personal & Ulster. Comparatives have been represented in this document. Refer to the re-segmentation document published on 16 April 2019 for further details.
 
Contacts
Analyst enquiries:
Alexander Holcroft
Investor Relations
+44 (0) 2076721982
Media enquiries:
RBS Press Office
 
+44 (0) 131 523 4205
 
 
Analyst and investor call
Webcast and dial in details
Date:
Friday 26 April 2019
www.rbs.com/results
Time:
9am UK time
International: +44 (0) 203 057 6566
Conference ID:
6858277
UK Free Call: 0800 279 5995
US Local Dial-In, New York: +1 646 741 2115
 
Available on www.rbs.com/results
●          Q1 2019 Interim Management Statement and background slides.
●          A financial supplement containing income statement, balance sheet and segment performance for the nine quarters ended 31 March 2019.
●          Pillar 3 supplement at 31 March 2019.
●          Q1 2019 re-segmentation document.
●          GSIB template as of and for the year ended 31 December 2018.
 
Forward looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include, without limitation, the words 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'commit', 'believe', 'should', 'intend', 'plan', 'could', 'probability', 'risk', 'Value-at-Risk (VaR)', 'target', 'goal', 'objective', 'may', 'endeavour', 'outlook', 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on these expressions. These statements concern or may affect future matters, such as RBSG's future economic results, business plans and current strategies.  In particular, this document includes forward-looking statements relating to RBSG in respect of, but not limited to: its regulatory capital position and related requirements, its financial position, profitability and financial performance (including financial, capital and operational targets), its access to adequate sources of liquidity and funding, increasing competition from new incumbents and  disruptive technologies, its impairment losses and credit exposures under certain specified scenarios, substantial regulation and oversight, ongoing legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations, LIBOR, EURIBOR and other benchmark reform and RBSG's exposure to economic and political risks (including with respect to Brexit and climate change), operational risk, conduct risk, cyber and IT risk and credit rating risk.  Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in current expectations include, but are not limited to, legislative, political, fiscal and regulatory developments, accounting standards, competitive conditions, technological developments, interest and exchange rate fluctuations and general economic conditions. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may impact any forward-looking statement or RBSG's actual results are discussed in RBSG's UK 2018 Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and materials filed with, or furnished to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, RBSG's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Reports on Form 6-K. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and RBSG does not assume or undertake any obligation or responsibility to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
 
Legal Entity Identifier: 2138005O9XJIJN4JPN90
 
 
 
 
Date: 26 April 2019
 
 
 
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc (Registrant)
 
 
 
By: /s/ Jan Cargill
 
 
 
Name: Jan Cargill
 
Title: Deputy Secretary