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NatWest Group (NYSE: NWG) posts £1.4bn Q1 profit with 18.2% RoTE

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Rhea-AI Filing Summary

NatWest Group delivered strong Q1 2026 results, with total income of £4.4bn, up 9.5% year-on-year, and operating profit before tax of £2.0bn, up 12.2%. Attributable profit reached £1.4bn, giving basic earnings per share of 17.9p, up 15.5%.

Return on equity was 13.3% and Return on Tangible Equity 18.2%, supported by a cost-income ratio excluding litigation of 46.5%. Net loans to customers rose to £431.6bn and customer deposits to £445.5bn. The CET1 capital ratio increased to 14.3% and the average Liquidity Coverage Ratio was 144%, indicating robust capital and liquidity.

Management now expects 2026 income excluding notable items to be at the top end of the previously guided £17.2–17.6bn range, while reaffirming other 2025–2026 guidance. Segment profits remained strong across Retail, Private Banking & Wealth Management, and Commercial & Institutional.

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Insights

Q1 2026 shows strong profitability, capital strength and upgraded income guidance.

NatWest Group grew total income to £4.36bn and operating profit before tax to £2.03bn, with profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of £1.43bn. Returns remain high, with group RoTE at 18.2% and RoE at 13.3%.

Cost control was effective: the cost-income ratio excluding litigation and conduct improved to 46.5%. However, impairment losses rose to £283m and the loan impairment rate increased to 26bps, reflecting a normalising credit cycle but still modest loss levels relative to the loan book.

Capital and liquidity are robust. The CET1 ratio improved to 14.3% on RWAs of £196.0bn, while the average LCR stood at 144% and NSFR at 134%. Management now expects 2026 income excluding notable items to come in at the top end of the £17.2–17.6bn range, signalling confidence within the constraints of an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop.

Total income £4.36bn Quarter ended 31 March 2026; up 9.5% year-on-year
Operating profit before tax £2.03bn Quarter ended 31 March 2026; up 12.2% year-on-year
Attributable profit to ordinary shareholders £1.43bn Quarter ended 31 March 2026
Earnings per share 17.9p Basic EPS for quarter ended 31 March 2026; up 15.5% YoY
Return on Tangible Equity 18.2% Quarter ended 31 March 2026
CET1 ratio 14.3% As at 31 March 2026; 30bps higher than 31 December 2025
Net loans to customers £431.6bn As at 31 March 2026; 8.2% higher than 31 March 2025
Average Liquidity Coverage Ratio 144% Q1 2026 average under PRA rules
Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) financial
"Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) of 18.2% drove strong capital generation pre-distributions"
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio regulatory
"Our Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 14.3% was c.30 basis points higher"
The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio is a measure of a bank’s financial strength, showing how much high-quality capital it has compared to its risk-weighted assets. Think of it as a safety buffer or cushion that helps ensure the bank can withstand financial stress. A higher CET1 ratio indicates a stronger position, which is important for investors because it signals greater stability and resilience.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) regulatory
"an average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 144%"
A liquidity coverage ratio measures whether a bank holds enough cash and easily sold, high-quality assets to cover its expected net cash outflows for 30 days under stress. Think of it as a household emergency fund that proves the bank could pay its bills for a month without selling illiquid items at fire-sale prices. Investors use it to gauge short-term resilience, regulatory compliance, and the likelihood of funding strain.
Expected credit loss (ECL) financial
"Expected credit loss (ECL) coverage ratio | 0.84%"
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) regulatory
"RWAs £196.0bn (2025 – £193.3bn)"
Climate and transition finance financial
"Climate and transition finance (2) | £10,477m"

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

1 May 2026

 

Commission file number: 001-10306

 

 

Form 6-K

 

NatWest Group plc 

 

 

250 Bishopsgate

London

EC2M 4AA

United Kingdom

 

(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    

 

This report on Form 6-K, except for any information contained on any websites linked or documents referred to in this report, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into the company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-284008) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

 

 

 

 

Forward-looking statements

Cautionary statement regarding 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 with respect to NatWest Group’s financial condition, results of operations and business, including its strategic priorities, financial, investment and capital targets, and climate and sustainability-related targets, commitments and ambitions described herein. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NatWest Group’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘project’, ‘anticipate’, ‘commit’, ‘believe’, ‘should’, ‘intend’, ‘will’, ‘plan’, ‘could’, ‘probability’, ‘risk’, ‘target’, ‘goal’, ‘objective’, ‘may’, ‘endeavour’, ‘outlook’, ‘optimistic’, ‘prospects’ and similar expressions or variations on these expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this document includes forward-looking targets and guidance relating to financial performance measures, such as income growth, operating expense, RoTE, ROE, discretionary capital distribution targets, impairment loss rates, capital generation pre-distributions, customer assets and liabilities growth rate, cost-income ratio, balance sheet reduction (including the reduction of RWAs), CET1 ratio (and key drivers of the CET1 ratio including timing, impact and details), Pillar 2 and other regulatory buffer requirements and MREL and non-financial performance measures, such as NatWest Group’s initial area of focus, climate and sustainability-related performance, ambitions, targets and metrics, including in relation to financed emissions and initiatives to transition to a net zero economy, such as our climate and transition finance activities.

 

Limitations inherent to forward-looking statements

These statements are based on current plans, expectations, estimates, targets and projections, and are subject to significant inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors, both external and relating to NatWest Group’s strategy or operations, which may result in NatWest Group being unable to achieve the current plans, expectations, estimates, targets, projections and other anticipated outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, certain of these disclosures are dependent on choices relying on key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations, including assumptions and estimates made by management. By their nature, certain of these disclosures are only estimates and, as a result, actual future results, gains or losses could differ materially from those that have been estimated. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date we make them and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

 

Important factors that could affect the actual outcome of the forward-looking statements

We caution you that a large number of important factors could adversely affect our results or our ability to implement our strategy, cause us to fail to meet our targets, predictions, expectations and other anticipated outcomes or affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements described in this document. These factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the risk factors and the other uncertainties described in NatWest Group plc’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F, NatWest Group’s Interim Management Statement for Q1 2026, and its other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The principal risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect NatWest Group’s future results, its financial condition and/or prospects and cause them to be materially different from what is forecast or expected, include, but are not limited to: economic and political risk (including in respect of: political and economic risks and uncertainty in the UK and global markets, including as a result of inflation and interest rates, supply chain disruption, protectionist policies, and geopolitical developments); and changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; business change and execution risk (including in respect of the implementation of NatWest Group’s strategy; future acquisitions and divestments, the competitive environment; and the transfer of its EU corporate portfolio); financial resilience risk (including in respect of: NatWest Group’s ability to meet targets and to make discretionary capital distributions; counterparty and borrower risk; liquidity and funding risks; prudential regulatory requirements for capital; reductions in the credit ratings; model risk; sensitivity to accounting policies, judgments, estimates and assumptions (and the economic, climate, competitive and other forward looking information affecting those judgments, estimates and assumptions); changes in applicable accounting standards; the value or effectiveness of credit protection; the requirements of regulatory stress tests and the adequacy of NatWest Group’s future assessments by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England; and the application of UK statutory stabilisation or resolution powers); operational and IT resilience risk (including in respect of: operational risks (including reliance on third party suppliers); cyberattacks; the accuracy and effective use of data; complex IT systems; attracting, retaining and developing diverse senior management and skilled personnel; NatWest Group’s risk management framework; and reputational risk); legal, regulatory and conduct risk (including in respect of: the impact of substantial regulation and oversight; the outcome of legal, regulatory and governmental actions, investigations and remedial undertakings; and changes in tax legislation or failure to generate future taxable profits); and climate and sustainability risk (including in respect of: risks relating to climate change and sustainability-related risks; both the execution and reputational risk relating to NatWest Group’s climate change-related strategy, ambitions, targets and transition plan; climate and sustainability-related data and model risk; increasing levels of climate, environmental, human rights and sustainability-related regulation and oversight; and increasing; climate, environmental and sustainability-related litigation, enforcement proceedings investigations and conduct risk).

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results2 

 

 

Forward looking statements continued

Cautionary statement regarding alternative performance measures

NatWest Group prepares its financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) and IFRS. This document may contain a number of non-IFRS measures, or alternative performance measures, defined under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidance, or non- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures in accordance with the SEC regulations (together, APM). APMs are adjusted for notable and other defined items which management believes are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison. APMs provide users of the financial statements with a consistent basis for comparing business performance between financial periods and information on elements of performance that are one-off in nature. Any APMs included in this document, are not measures within the scope of IFRS or GAAP, are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and change, and are not a substitute for IFRS or GAAP measures and a reconciliation to the closest IFRS or GAAP measure is presented where appropriate.

The information, statements and opinions contained in this document do not constitute a public offer under any applicable legislation or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or financial instruments or any advice or recommendation with respect to such securities or other financial instruments.

Caution on non-financial reporting

The processes we have adopted to define, collect and report data on our climate and sustainability related performance, as well as the associated metrics and disclosures in this document, are not subject to the same formal processes adopted for financial reporting in accordance with established reporting standards. They involve a higher degree of judgement, assumptions and estimates, including in relation to the classification of climate and sustainability related (including social, sustainability, sustainability linked, green, climate and transition) funding, financing and facilitation activities, than what is required for reporting of historical financial information prepared in accordance with established reporting standards. As a result, climate and sustainability-related disclosures may be amended, updated or restated over time. However, NatWest Group does not undertake to restate prior disclosures except where required by applicable law or regulation, even if subsequently available data or methodologies differ from those used at the time of the original disclosure. In addition, non-financial reporting systems are less developed than financial reporting systems, often involving manual processes and less robust controls, which may affect data quality and consistency.

Please also refer to the ‘Climate and sustainability-related risk factors’ on pages 287 to 289 of the NatWest Group plc 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F, the 'Additional cautionary statement regarding climate and sustainability-related data, metrics and forward-looking statements' on pages 2 to 3 of the NatWest Group plc 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F, and the cautionary statement in the section entitled ‘Caution about climate-related metrics and data required for climate reporting’ on pages 70 to 72 of the NatWest Group plc 2025 Climate Transition Plan Report.

Caution about sustainability-related funding, financing and facilitation

Sustainability-related (including social, sustainability, sustainability-linked, green, climate, transition) funding, financing and facilitation currently represents only a relatively small proportion of NatWest Group's overall funding, financing and facilitation activities. Accordingly, disclosures relating to sustainability-related funding, financing and facilitation should be read in the context of NatWest Group's broader balance sheet, risk profile and funding, financing and facilitation activities, and should not be interpreted as indicative of NatWest Group's overall funding, financing or facilitation strategy.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results3 

 

 

Introduction

Presentation of information

Unless otherwise specified herein, ‘Parent company’ refers to NatWest Group plc and ‘NatWest Group’, ‘Group’ or ‘we’ refers to NatWest Group plc and its subsidiaries. The term ‘NWH Group’ refers to NatWest Holdings Limited (‘NWH Limited’) and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term ‘NWM Group’ refers to NatWest Markets Plc (‘NWM Plc’) and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term RBSH N.V. refers to RBS Holdings N.V. The term NWM N.V. Group refers to NatWest Markets N.V. and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term ‘NWMSI’ refers to NatWest Markets Securities, Inc. The term ‘RBS plc’ refers to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. The term ‘NWB Plc’ refers to National Westminster Bank Plc. The term RBSI Ltd refers to The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited.

NatWest Group publishes its financial statements in pounds sterling (‘£’ or ‘sterling’). The abbreviations ‘£m’ and ‘£bn’ represent millions and thousands of millions of pounds sterling, respectively, and references to ‘pence’ or ‘p’ represent pence where the amounts are denominated in pounds sterling (‘GBP’). Reference to ‘dollars’ or ‘$’ are to United States of America (‘US’) dollars. The abbreviations ‘$m’ and ‘$bn’ represent millions and thousands of millions of dollars, respectively. The abbreviation ‘€’ represents the ‘euro’, and the abbreviations ‘€m’ and ‘€bn’ represent millions and thousands of millions of euros, respectively.

To aid readability, this document contains references to EU legislative and regulatory provisions in effect in the UK before 1 January 2021 that have now been implemented in UK domestic law. These references should be read and construed as including references to the applicable UK implementation measures with effect from 1 January 2021.

Any information contained on websites linked or reports referenced in this interim results report for the three-month period ended 31 March 2026 on Form 6-K is for information only and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

Non-IFRS financial information

NatWest Group prepares its financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This document contains a number of non-IFRS measures, or alternative performance measures, defined under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidance, or non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. These measures are adjusted for notable and other defined items which management believes are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison.

The non-IFRS measures provide users of the financial statements with a consistent basis for comparing business performance between financial periods and information on elements of performance that are one-off in nature. The non-IFRS measures also include the basis of calculation for metrics that are used throughout the banking industry.

These non-IFRS measures are not a substitute for IFRS measures and a reconciliation to the closest IFRS measure is presented where appropriate. Refer to appendix ‘Non-IFRS financial measures’ on page 43.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results4 

 

 

Inside this report

  

Business performance summary   Financial statements and notes
6 Q1 2026 performance summary   37 Condensed consolidated income statement
7 Performance key metrics and ratios   38 Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
9 Chief Financial Officer’s review   39 Condensed consolidated balance sheet
11 Retail Banking   40 Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
12 Private Banking & Wealth Management   41 Presentation of condensed consolidated financial statements
13 Commercial & Institutional   41 Litigation and regulatory matters
14 Central items & other   41 Post balance sheet events
15 Segment performance      
         
         
Capital and risk management   Additional information
18 Capital, liquidity and funding risk   42 Other financial data
24 Credit risk   43 Non-IFRS financial measures
24 Economic drivers   48 Performance measures not defined under IFRS
28 Segment analysis - portfolio summary      
29 Segment analysis - loans      
29 Movement in ECL provision      
30 ECL post model adjustments      
31 Measurement uncertainty and ECL sensitivity analysis      
32 Sector analysis - portfolio summary      

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results5 

 

 

Q1 2026 performance summary

Chief Executive, Paul Thwaite, commented:

“NatWest Group’s strong performance in the first quarter of 2026 reflects our consistent delivery for customers and shareholders. Total income of £4.4 billion, total income excluding notable items(1) of £4.2 billion and an operating profit of £2.0 billion have all increased compared to Q1 2025, with a return on equity of 13.3% and a Return on Tangible Equity of 18.2% continuing our track record of delivering attractive returns.

Having raised our ambitions in February 2026, we have continued to make good progress against our strategic priorities in Q1 2026. We have started the year with positive momentum, underpinned by healthy customer activity - growing all of our three businesses, expanding our capabilities to meet more of our customers’ needs and further improving productivity as we use AI at scale across the bank.

NatWest Group has a vital role to play in the lives of our customers and in the communities we serve throughout the UK. The strength of our balance sheet, scale of our business and depth of our long-standing relationships mean that we can provide the funding, advice and expertise our 20 million customers need in order to navigate increasing uncertainty and to achieve their goals.”

 

Strong financial performance

We delivered a strong financial performance in Q1 2026, with attributable profit of £1.4 billion and earnings per share of 17.9 pence, up 15.5% compared with Q1 2025. Return on equity (RoE) was 13.3% and net asset value (NAV) per share increased by 14 pence to 490 pence compared to Q4 2025. Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) of 18.2% drove strong capital generation pre-distributions of 65 basis points in the quarter and further growth in TNAV per share, up 16 pence to 400 pence.

Strong growth in our customer businesses while strengthening and deepening relationships

We made good progress against our strategic objectives and remain well placed to support our customers through the current macroeconomic uncertainty. This reflects our focus on strengthening customer relationships, priority customer segments and deepening customer connections.

Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) increased by £8.4 billion, or 0.9%, in the quarter and are 5.2% higher than Q1 2025, as we build towards our 2028 annual growth rate target of more than 4%.
Net loans to customers increased by £12.7 billion compared to Q4 2025. Net loans to customers excluding central items increased by £7.2 billion in the quarter, as we grew our Retail Banking mortgage book and increased Commercial & Institutional balances. In Commercial & Institutional we onboarded 24,000 new startups, 25% higher than Q1 2025, supported by targeted initiatives and an improved onboarding journey, assisted by AI agents.
Customer deposits increased by £2.5 billion compared to Q4 2025. Customer deposits excluding central items increased by £3.1 billion with growth in Corporate & Institutions partially offset by expected reductions in Retail Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management which were impacted by seasonal tax payments.
Strong lending and deposit growth was partially offset by a £1.8 billion reduction in assets under management and administration (AUMA), impacted by negative market movements. AUM net inflows of £0.9 billion in the quarter were strong, with c.23,000 people investing with us for the first time.

 

We continue to leverage simplification to drive efficiency

We have generated over £100 million of additional cost savings in the first quarter, and our cost:income ratio of 46.9% improved 2.8 percentage points compared with Q1 2025. Our cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) of 46.5% improved 2.1 percentage points compared with Q1 2025. This has been driven by ongoing restructuring and increased investment, building on our strong technology foundation and accelerating our use of AI to deliver simpler and better customer experiences in a responsible way. We continued to support our customers with improvements to our digital journeys to meet their needs faster and more effectively.

Active balance sheet management creates capacity for growth to deliver attractive returns

We continued to actively manage lower returning capital to create capacity for redeployment, delivering £2.2 billion of benefits from RWA management actions. Increased capital velocity supports capital generation pre-distributions of 65 basis points in the quarter. Our Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 14.3% was c.30 basis points higher than Q4 2025.

We continue to maintain stable and diversified sources of funding with a strong loan:deposit ratio up 2% to 97% in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, and liquidity position, with an average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 144%. The loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos), was up 1% in the quarter to 89%.

Outlook(2)

Based on our latest expectations for interest rates and economic conditions, we now expect income excluding notable items to be at the top end of our previously guided range of £17.2 - 17.6 billion.(3) Except for this strengthened guidance, we reaffirm the outlook provided in our full year 2025 results.

We are confident we will achieve our guidance however we recognise that market conditions are uncertain and we will refine our internal forecasts as the economic position evolves.

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of notable items.
(2)The guidance, targets, expectations and trends discussed in this section represent NatWest Group plc management’s current expectations and are subject to change, including as a result of the factors described in the NatWest Group plc Risk Factors in the 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F issued on 17 February 2026. All 2026 guidance excludes the expected impact of the forthcoming Evelyn Partners acquisition. These statements constitute forward-looking statements. Refer to Forward-looking statements in this announcement
(3)Management does not assess forward-looking "total income" as performance indicator of the business and therefore reconciliation of the forward-looking non-IFRS measure "total income excluding notable items" to an equivalent IFRS measure is not available without unreasonable efforts.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results6 

 

 

Business performance summary

 

 

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December   31 March  
  2026 2025   2025  
Summary consolidated income statement £m £m Variance £m Variance
Net interest income 3,394 3,441 (1.4%) 3,026 12.2%
Non-interest income 964 883 9.2% 954 1.0%
Total income 4,358 4,324 0.8% 3,980 9.5%
Litigation and conduct costs (15) (37) (59.5%) (44) (65.9%)
Other operating expenses (2,027) (2,211) (8.3%) (1,935) 4.8%
Operating expenses (2,042) (2,248) (9.2%) (1,979) 3.2%
Profit before impairment losses 2,316 2,076 11.6% 2,001 15.7%
Impairment losses (283) (136) 108.1% (189) 49.7%
Operating profit before tax 2,033 1,940 4.8% 1,812 12.2%
Tax charge (526) (462) 13.9% (471) 11.7%
Profit for the period 1,507 1,478 2.0% 1,341 12.4%
           
Performance key metrics and ratios        
Notable items within total income (1) £135m £52m 159.6% £28m nm
Total income excluding notable items (1) £4,223m £4,272m (1.1%) £3,952m 6.9%
Net interest margin (NIM) (1) 2.47% 2.45% 2bps 2.27% 20bps
Average interest earning assets (1) £556bn £557bn (0.2%) £542bn 2.6%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 46.5% 51.1% (4.6%) 48.6% (2.1%)
Loan impairment rate (1) 26bps 13bps 13bps 19bps 7bps
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders £1,432m £1,393m 2.8% £1,252m 14.4%
Total earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - basic  17.9p 17.4p 0.5p 15.5p 2.4p
Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) (1) 18.2% 18.3% (0.1%) 18.5% (0.3%)
Climate and transition finance (2) £10,477m £11,451m na - na

 

 

 

nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable

 

For the footnotes to this table refer to the following page.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results7 

 

 

Business performance summary continued

 

  As at
  31 March 31 December   31 March  
  2026 2025   2025  
Balance sheet £bn £bn Variance £bn Variance
Total assets 749.6 714.6 4.9% 710.0 5.6%
Loans to customers - amortised cost 431.6 418.9 3.0% 398.8 8.2%
Loans to customers excluding central items (1,3) 396.4 389.2 1.8% 371.9 6.6%
Loans to customers and banks - amortised cost and FVOCI  444.4 429.9 3.4% 409.5 8.5%
Total impairment provisions (4) 3.7 3.6 2.8% 3.5 5.7%
Expected credit loss (ECL) coverage ratio  0.84% 0.83% 1bps 0.86% (2bps)
Customer deposits 445.5 443.0 0.6% 434.6 2.5%
Customer deposits excluding central items (1,3) 444.8 441.7 0.7% 433.4 2.6%
Assets under management and administration (AUMA) (1) 56.7 58.5 (3.1%) 48.5 16.9%
Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 900.1 891.7 0.9% 856.0 5.2%
Liquidity and funding          
Average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) (5) 144% 147% (3%) 151% (7%)
Liquidity portfolio 233 238 (2%) 222 5%
Average Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) (5) 134% 135% (1%) 137% (3%)
Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) (1) 89% 88% 1% 85% 4%
Total wholesale funding 92 88 5% 87 6%
Short-term wholesale funding 29 28 4% 33 (12%)
Capital and leverage          
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio (6) 14.3% 14.0% 30bps 13.8% 50bps
Total capital ratio (6) 19.8% 19.3% 50bps 20.6% (80bps)
Pro forma CET1 ratio (excl. foreseeable items) (7) 15.9% 15.4% 50bps 14.8% 110bps
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) 196.0 193.3 1.4% 187.0 4.8%
UK leverage ratio 4.8% 4.8% - 5.2% (0.4%)
Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share (1,8) 400p 384p 16p 347p 53p
Number of ordinary shares in issue (millions) (8) 7,971 7,995 (0.3%) 8,067 (1.2%)

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
(2)NatWest Group uses its climate and transition finance framework to determine the assets, activities, acquisition targets and companies that are eligible to be included within its target to provide £200 billion in climate and transition finance between 1 July 2025 and the end of 2030. This included both provision of committed (on and off-balance sheet) financing and facilitation. Climate and transition finance represents only a relatively small proportion of NatWest Group’s overall funding, financing and facilitation activities. The climate and transition finance framework is available on the NatWest Group website.
(3)Central items includes Treasury repo activity.
(4)Includes £0.1 billion relating to off-balance sheet exposures (31 December 2025 - £0.1 billion; 31 March 2025 - £0.1 billion).
(5)Reported on an average basis in line with supervisory guidelines. The LCR is calculated as the average of the preceding 12 months. The NSFR is calculated as the average of the preceding four quarters.
(6)Refer to the Capital, liquidity and funding risk section for details of the basis of preparation.
(7)The pro forma CET1 ratio at 31 March 2026 excludes foreseeable items of £3,161 million: £2,553 million for ordinary dividends and £608 million foreseeable charges (31 December 2025 excludes foreseeable items of £2,758 million: £1,837 million for ordinary dividends and £921 million foreseeable charges. 31 March 2025 excludes foreseeable items of £1,875 million for ordinary dividends).
(8)The number of ordinary shares in issue excludes own shares held.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results8 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer’s review

 

In the first quarter of 2026 we delivered a strong financial performance and continued to execute against our strategic objectives, with a RoE of 13.3% and total income of £4.4 billion. RoTE was 18.2% and total income excluding notable items was £4.2 billion. We have strengthened our income guidance and remain on track to meet the other targets set out in our full year results in February.

 

 

Net loans to customers increased £12.7 billion compared to Q4 2025 and customer deposits increased by £2.5 billion compared to Q4 2025. Net loans to customers excluding central items increased £7.2 billion in the quarter and customer deposits excluding central items increased £3.1 billion, despite elevated tax payments.

 

 

Our capital and liquidity position remains robust, with a CET1 ratio of 14.3% and an average LCR of 144%. Strong income generation and disciplined cost control translated into 65 basis points of capital generation in the quarter, including a further £2.2 billion of RWA management actions to create capacity for growth.

 

 

 

Strong growth while strengthening and deepening relationships

We are growing in ways that build and strengthen customer relationships, focusing on our priority segments and deepening customer connections.

 

Attributable profit was £1,432 million, earnings per share of 17.9 pence, up 15.5% compared with Q1 2025, RoE of 13.3% and RoTE of 18.2%.

 

Total income of £4.4 billion was broadly flat compared with Q4 2025 and £378 million higher than Q1 2025. Total income excluding notable items was £49 million lower than Q4 2025 reflecting the impact of two fewer days in the quarter, deposit outflows due to tax payments and lower mortgage margins. These impacts were partially offset by higher trading income and deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income. As a result, Q1 2026 net interest margin increased by 2 basis points in the quarter to 2.47%. Total income excluding notable items was £271 million higher than Q1 2025 principally due to deposit margin expansion and lending balance growth, partially offset by lower mortgage margins.

 

We continued to support our customers as net loans to customers increased by £12.7 billion to £431.6 billion compared to Q4 2025. Net loans to customers excluding central items increased by £7.2 billion in the quarter to £396.4 billion. This included a £3.8 billion increase in Commercial & Institutional balances, driven by growth in Corporate & Institutions, and a £3.3 billion increase in Retail Banking mortgage balances.

 

Customer deposits increased £2.5 billion to £445.5 billion compared to Q4 2025. Customer deposits excluding central items increased £3.1 billion during Q1 2026 to £444.8 billion. This primarily reflected £5.1 billion growth in Commercial & Institutional, driven by higher balances in Corporate & Institutions. This was partially offset by reductions in Retail Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management which were impacted by seasonal tax outflows. Total term balances across the group were stable in Q1 2026 at 17%.

 

 

Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) increased by £8.4 billion, or 0.9%, in the quarter as lending and deposit growth was partially offset by a £1.8 billion reduction in assets under management and administration (AUMA), impacted by negative market movements.

 

Leveraging simplification

Our cost:income ratio of 46.9% has improved 2.8 percentage points compared with Q1 2025. Our cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) of 46.5% has improved 2.1 percentage points compared with Q1 2025 as we continued to make progress towards becoming a simpler, more agile and technology-driven bank, using our capabilities to support growth, productivity and trust. We’re leveraging our strong technology foundation to deliver bespoke customer solutions through responsible, sustainable AI.

 

Total operating expenses were £206 million lower than Q4 2025 and £63 million higher than Q1 2025. Other operating expenses were £184 million, or 8.3%, lower in the quarter primarily reflecting seasonally higher costs in Q4 2025 partially offset with higher reward and restructuring costs. Compared with Q1 2025, other operating expenses were £92 million, or 4.8%, higher. This was largely due to increased transformational activity, leading to higher costs associated with people and investment, as well as the impact of rewarding our people through the 2025 pay award. Other ongoing inflationary pressures were offset by underlying cost efficiencies.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results9 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer’s review continued

 

 

Actively managing our balance sheet and risk to deliver attractive returns

We continue to proactively manage our balance sheet and maintain stable and diversified sources of funding to increase capital velocity.

 

A net impairment charge of £283 million, or 26 basis points of gross customer loans, including a multiple economic scenario (MES) update of c.£140 million.

 

Compared with Q4 2025, our ECL provision increased £0.2 billion to £3.7 billion and our ECL coverage ratio increased to 0.84%. We recognise the significant uncertainty in the economic outlook and whilst we are comfortable with the strong credit performance of our book, we retain post model adjustments (PMA) of £0.3 billion.

 

CET1 ratio increased c.30 basis points to 14.3% in Q1 2026. This included capital generation pre-distributions of 65 basis points, primarily comprising c.70 basis points of profit and c.5 basis points from a reduction in expected losses less impairment provisions following the MES update through impairment losses. This was partially offset by the increase in RWAs, c.20 basis points.

 

 

The average LCR decreased by 3% to 144% during Q1 2026, due to higher lending offset by higher deposits and issuance, and changes in outflow assumptions. Our primary liquidity decreased by £1.6 billion to £155.7 billion, of which £74.9 billion, or 48%, was cash and balances at central banks. Total wholesale funding increased by £3.4 billion in the quarter to £91.7 billion.

 

NAV per share increased by 14 pence to 490 pence compared to Q4 2025. TNAV per share increased by 16 pence in the quarter to 400 pence primarily reflecting the attributable profit for the period.

 

RWAs increased by £2.7 billion during Q1 2026 to £196.0 billion. This primarily reflected franchise lending growth partially offset by a further £2.2 billion benefit from RWA management actions.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results10 

 

 

Business performance summary

 

Retail Banking

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Total income 1,684 1,699 1,540
Operating expenses (719) (799) (681)
   of which: Other operating expenses (716) (799) (677)
Impairment losses (184) (114) (109)
Operating profit 781 786 750
       
Return on equity (1) 24.6% 24.6% 24.5%
Net interest margin (1) 2.69% 2.70% 2.58%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 42.5% 47.0% 44.0%
Loan impairment rate (1) 33bps 21bps 21bps
       
  As at
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £bn £bn £bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost) 219.4 216.1 210.4
Customer deposits 202.2 202.6 195.7
Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 423.5 420.5 407.9
RWAs 70.2 68.5 66.8

 

 

During Q1 2026, Retail Banking delivered an operating profit of £781 million and a return on equity of 24.6%. This performance was supported by growth in mortgage stock share and stable deposit stock share compared to Q4 2025, alongside deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income.

 

We support over 19 million Retail Banking customers and continue to expand our reach to build new customer relationships. We announced a partnership with Rightmove, bringing our digital, end-to-end mortgage capability to where our customers are looking for their next home. In addition, we announced a partnership with Sainsbury’s Group to provide customers with credit cards, personal loans and instant access savings products. Our banking as a service proposition, NatWest Boxed, is live in the market and supporting balance sheet growth, and from Q1 2026 is reported in the Retail Banking segment. We continue to harness the power of AI to enhance the experience for both customers and colleagues, increasing operational leverage and driving low-cost growth. Compared with Q1 2025, our digital assistant Cora handled 11% higher chat volumes, with 20% handled by generative AI. Retail Banking provided £1.3 billion of climate and transition finance(2) in Q1 2026 from lending on EPC A and B-rated residential properties. 

 

Q1 2026 performance 

Total income decreased by £15 million, or 0.9%, compared with Q4 2025, reflecting the impact of seasonal customer tax outflows on deposit balances, lower asset margins and the impact of two fewer days in the quarter, partly offset by deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income and higher non-interest income, which benefitted from one-off items including an annual insurance profit share. Total income increased by £144 million, or 9.4%, compared with Q1 2025, driven by deposit margin expansion, as a result of increased hedge income, and lending balance growth, partly offset by lower asset margins.

 

Net interest margin decreased by 1 basis point compared with Q4 2025, largely reflecting the net interest income factors noted above.

 

Operating expenses decreased by £80 million, or 10.0%, compared to Q4 2025. Other operating expenses decreased by £83 million, or 10.4%, compared with Q4 2025, reflecting the non-repeat of the Q4 2025 annual bank levy and property exit costs, together with lower restructuring costs, fraud and lower investment spend. These reductions were partly offset by Bank of England levy and the inclusion of NatWest Boxed in the Retail Banking segment. Operating expenses increased by £38 million, or 5.6%, compared with Q1 2025. Other operating expenses increased by £39 million, or 5.8%, compared with Q1 2025, reflecting inclusion of NatWest Boxed costs in the Retail Banking segment, higher investment spend and higher Bank of England levy.

 

An impairment charge of £184 million, compared with a £114 million charge in Q4 2025, primarily reflecting the non-repeat of the mortgage securitisation benefit recognised in Q4 2025, alongside updates to multiple economic scenarios and increased Stage 3 flows largely as a result of strategic credit card portfolio growth in recent years.

 

Net loans to customers increased by £3.3 billion, or 1.5%, in Q1 2026 driven by an increase of £3.3 billion, or 1.6%, in mortgage balances and an increase of £0.3 billion, or 3.2%, in personal advances, partly offset by lower cards balances of £0.2 billion, or 2.4%, in the quarter.

 

Customer deposits decreased by £0.4 billion, or 0.2%, in Q1 2026, largely reflecting the impact of customers’ seasonal tax payments, partly offset by overall personal market growth.

 

RWAs increased by £1.7 billion, or 2.5%, in Q1 2026, primarily due to book movements and model updates.

 

 

 

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
(2)Climate and transition finance represents only a relatively small proportion of our overall financing and facilitation activities.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results11 

 

 

 

Business performance summary continued

 

 

Private Banking & Wealth Management

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Total income 291 308 265
Operating expenses (191) (195) (187)
   of which: Other operating expenses (191) (195) (187)
Impairment losses (6) (6) (1)
Operating profit 94 107 77
       
Return on equity (1) 21.1% 23.6% 17.1%
Net interest margin (1) 2.73% 2.72% 2.59%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 65.6% 63.3% 70.6%
Loan impairment rate (1) 13bps 13bps 2bps
AUM net flows (£bn) (1) 0.9 0.9 0.8
AUMA income (1,2) 83 84 75
       
  As at
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £bn £bn £bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost) 19.0 18.9 18.4
Customer deposits 41.1 42.7 41.2
RWAs 11.4 11.4 11.3
Assets under management and administration (AUMA) (1,3) 56.7 58.5 48.5
  of which:      
  Assets under management (AUM) (1) 43.3 43.7 36.7
  Assets under administration (AUA) (1,3) 13.4 14.8 11.8
Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1,4) 115.5 119.0 107.0

During Q1 2026, Private Banking & Wealth Management delivered an operating profit of £94 million and return on equity of 21.1%. We saw strong AUM net inflows of £0.9 billion and a more than 50% uplift in ‘new-to-invest’ clients in the quarter, at c.23,000. We continued to enhance the digital experience within the Coutts app, with record mobile NPS of 56, including 60% more readers of the Chief Investment Officer’s articles and client engagement with personalised in-app messaging.

 

Private Banking & Wealth Management provided £0.1 billion of climate and transition finance(5) in Q1 2026, principally in relation to mortgages on residential properties with an EPC rating of A or B and wholesale transactions.  

 

Q1 2026 performance

Total income decreased by £17 million, or 5.5%, compared with Q4 2025, primarily reflecting the non-repeat of adjustments relating to transactional fees and effective interest rate adjustment review of customer loan repayment behaviour in Q4 2025, as well as the impact of two fewer days in the quarter, partly offset by deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income. Total income increased by £26 million, or 9.8%, compared with Q1 2025 largely driven by deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income and AUMA balance growth.

 

Net interest margin was 1 basis point higher than Q4 2025, largely reflecting the net interest income factors noted above.

 

Operating expenses decreased by £4 million, or 2.1%, compared to Q4 2025. Other operating expenses decreased by £4 million, or 2.1%, compared with Q4 2025 largely driven by non-repeat of the Q4 2025 annual bank levy and lower non-staff costs, partially offset by the Bank of England levy, higher investment spend and restructuring costs. Operating expenses increased by £4 million, or 2.1%, compared to Q1 2025. Other operating expenses increased by £4 million, or 2.1%, compared with Q1 2025 largely due to higher investment spend.

 

An impairment charge of £6 million was in line with Q4 2025. Compared with Q1 2025, the impairment charge increased by £5 million largely reflecting higher good book charges driven by an update in multiple economic scenarios in Q1 2026 compared to good book releases in Q1 2025.

 

Net loans to customers increased by £0.1 billion, or 0.5%, in Q1 2026, driven by an increase in personal lending.

 

Customer deposits decreased by £1.6 billion, or 3.7%, in Q1 2026, largely reflecting the impact of seasonal tax outflows.

 

AUMA balances decreased by £1.8 billion, or 3.1%, in Q1 2026 primarily driven by negative market movements of £1.7 billion and AUA net outflows driven by gilt redemptions linked to seasonal tax outflows of £1.2 billion, partially offset by AUM net inflows of £0.9 billion and Cushon net inflows of £0.2 billion. AUM net flows as a percentage of opening balances are 8.2% on an annualised basis.

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
(2)AUMA income includes investment income earned across NatWest Group (excluding Cushon). Investment income includes ongoing fees as a percentage of assets and fees, charged on a per transaction basis, for advice services, trading and exchange services, protection and alternative investing services.
(3)Includes £4.0 billion (31 December 2025 - £4.0 billion; 31 March 2025 - £3.0 billion) relating to Cushon, classified as held-for-sale.
(4)CAL refers to customer deposits, gross loans to customers - amortised cost and AUMA. To avoid double counting, investment cash is deducted from CAL as it is reported within customer deposits and AUMA.
(5)Climate and transition finance represents only a relatively small proportion of our overall financing and facilitation activities.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results12 

 

 

 

Business performance summary continued

 

 

Commercial & Institutional

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Net interest income 1,642 1,644 1,459
Non-interest income 593 668 683
Total income 2,235 2,312 2,142
       
Operating expenses (1,111) (1,254) (1,044)
   of which: Other operating expenses (1,102) (1,225) (1,015)
Impairment losses (94) (19) (78)
Operating profit 1,030 1,039 1,020
       
Return on equity (1) 18.3% 19.4% 19.3%
Net interest margin (1) 2.46% 2.45% 2.32%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 49.3% 53.0% 47.4%
Loan impairment rate (1) 24bps 5bps 22bps
       
  As at
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £bn £bn £bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost) 158.0 154.2 143.1
Customer deposits 201.5 196.4 196.5
Funded assets (1) 364.0 331.4 336.1
Customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 361.1 352.2 341.1
RWAs 113.0 111.9 107.3

 

During Q1 2026, Commercial & Institutional delivered an operating profit of £1,030 million and a return on equity of 18.3%. Performance was supported by strong lending growth across key customer sectors. We continued to support social housing(2) with greater than £1.1 billion committed in Q1 2026 and we are on track to meet our £10 billion ambition by 2028, as well as continued support to start-ups where we have seen 25% growth in start-up customers compared with Q1 2025. We are continuing to improve our customer journeys through the deployment of AI-enabled capabilities. Four AI-enabled agents are now live across onboarding and mandates, supporting faster and more efficient processing while strengthening controls through embedded human oversight.

 

Commercial & Institutional provided £9.1 billion of climate and transition finance(3) in Q1 2026 to support customers investing in the transition to net zero.

 

Q1 2026 performance

Total income was £77 million, or 3.3%, lower than Q4 2025 primarily reflecting non-repeat of the Q4 2025 dividend received on restructuring of a strategic investment in Corporate & Institutions and the impact of two fewer days in the quarter, partially offset by strong lending growth across Corporate & Institutions and Commercial Mid-market,(4) and higher markets trading income. Total income was £93 million, or 4.3%, higher than Q1 2025 primarily due to deposit margin expansion from strong hedge income, customer lending growth, partially offset by lower markets trading income.

 

Net interest margin was 1 basis point higher than Q4 2025 reflecting deposit margin expansion.

 

Operating expenses were £143 million, or 11.4%, lower compared to Q4 2025. Other operating expenses were £123 million, or 10.0%, lower than Q4 2025 primarily reflecting the non-repeat of the Q4 2025 annual bank levy. Operating expenses were £67 million, or 6.4%, higher compared to Q1 2025. Other operating expenses were £87 million, or 8.6%, higher than Q1 2025 largely due to increased inflation, continued investment in the business and higher restructuring costs, partly offset by continued business simplification.

 

An impairment charge of £94 million in Q1 2026 compared with a £19 million charge in Q4 2025 largely reflecting higher charges driven by an update in the multiple economic scenarios in Q1 2026. Compared with Q1 2025, the impairment charge increased £16 million due to higher good book charges reflecting the updated multiple economic scenarios in Q1 2026, partially offset by lower Stage 3 charges.

 

Net loans to customers increased by £3.8 billion, or 2.5%, in Q1 2026, reflecting broad-based growth within Corporate & Institutions and Commercial Mid-market. Commercial Mid-market and Business Banking were impacted by client transfers.(4) UK Government scheme repayments were £0.4 billion in the quarter.

 

Customer deposits increased by £5.1 billion, or 2.6%, in Q1 2026 largely reflecting growth in interest-bearing savings balances in Corporate & Institutions. Commercial Mid-market and Business Banking were impacted by client transfers(5) and seasonality factors including client tax outflows.

 

RWAs increased by £1.1 billion, or 1.0%, compared with Q4 2025 primarily driven by book growth and increases in market risk and counterparty credit risk, partly offset by continued RWA management activity and CRDIV benefits.

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
(2)Social finance and facilitation represents only a relatively small proportion of our overall financing and facilitation activities.
(3)Climate and transition finance represents only a relatively small proportion of our overall financing and facilitation activities.
(4)Client transfers from Commercial Mid-market to Business Banking in Q1 2026 of £0.8 billion. Comparatives have not been restated. Equivalent balance at the end of 31 December 2025 was £0.8 billion.
(5)Client transfers from Commercial Mid-market to Business Banking in Q1 2026 of £1.7 billion. Comparatives have not been restated. Equivalent balance at the end of 31 December 2025 was £1.7 billion.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results13 

 

 

 

Business performance summary continued

 

 

Central items & other

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Total income 148 5 33
Operating expenses  (21) - (67)
   of which: Other operating expenses (18) 8 (56)
Impairment releases/(losses) 1 3 (1)
Operating profit/(loss) 128 8 (35)
    As at  
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £bn £bn £bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost) 35.2 29.7 26.9
Customer deposits 0.7 1.3 1.2
RWAs 1.4 1.5 1.6

 

 

Q1 2026 performance

Total income was £143 million higher than Q4 2025 and £115 million higher than Q1 2025 primarily reflecting higher gains on interest and FX risk management derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships and foreign exchange recycling gains.

 

Operating expenses were £21 million higher compared to Q4 2025. Operating expenses were £46 million lower compared to Q1 2025. Other operating expenses were £26 million higher than Q4 2025 and £38 million lower than Q1 2025 primarily due to indirect cost allocation phasing across 2025.

 

Net loans to customers increased by £5.5 billion in Q1 2026 driven by reverse repo activity in Treasury.

 

Customer deposits decreased by £0.6 billion compared with Q4 2025 reflecting repo activity in Treasury.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results14 

 

 

 

Segment performance

 

  Quarter ended 31 March 2026
  Retail Private Banking Commercial  Central items Total NatWest
  Banking  & Wealth Management & Institutional  & other Group
  £m £m £m £m £m
Income statement   
Net interest income 1,562 196 1,642 (6) 3,394
Own credit adjustments - - 3 - 3
Other non-interest income 122 95 590 154 961
Total income  1,684 291 2,235 148 4,358
Direct expenses (182) (58) (379) (1,408) (2,027)
Indirect expenses (534) (133) (723) 1,390 -
Other operating expenses (716) (191) (1,102) (18) (2,027)
Litigation and conduct costs (3) - (9) (3) (15)
Operating expenses (719) (191) (1,111) (21) (2,042)
Operating profit before impairment losses/releases 965 100 1,124 127 2,316
Impairment (losses)/releases (184) (6) (94) 1 (283)
Operating profit 781 94 1,030 128 2,033
           
Total income excluding notable items (1) 1,684 291 2,232 16 4,223
           
Additional information  
Return on Tangible Equity (1) na na na na 18.2%
Return on equity (1) 24.6% 21.1% 18.3% nm na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 42.5% 65.6% 49.3% nm 46.5%
Total assets (£bn) 243.4 29.5 430.2 46.5 749.6
Funded assets (£bn) (1) 243.4 29.5 364.0 46.3 683.2
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn) 219.4 19.0 158.0 35.2 431.6
Loan impairment rate (1) 33bps 13bps 24bps nm 26bps
Impairment provisions (£bn) (1.9) (0.1) (1.7) - (3.7)
Impairment provisions - Stage 3 (£bn) (1.2) (0.1) (1.0) 0.1 (2.2)
Customer deposits (£bn) 202.2 41.1 201.5 0.7 445.5
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn) 70.2 11.4 113.0 1.4 196.0
Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 423.5 115.5 361.1 na 900.1
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn) 71.3 11.4 114.0 1.8 198.5
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands) 12.3 2.1 12.9 31.4 58.7
Third party customer asset rate (1) 4.43% 4.54% 5.56% nm nm
Third party customer funding rate (1) (1.60%) (2.35%) (1.36%) nm nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn) (1) 235.5 29.1 270.6 na 556.3
Net interest margin (1) 2.69% 2.73% 2.46% na 2.47%

 

nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results15 

 

 

 

Segment performance continued

 

 

  Quarter ended 31 December 2025
  Retail Private Banking Commercial  Central items Total NatWest
  Banking  & Wealth Management & Institutional  & other Group
  £m £m £m £m £m
Income statement   
Net interest income 1,593 202 1,644 2 3,441
Own credit adjustments - - (2) - (2)
Other non-interest income 106 106 670 3 885
Total income  1,699 308 2,312 5 4,324
Direct expenses (231) (67) (441) (1,472) (2,211)
Indirect expenses (568) (128) (784) 1,480 -
Other operating expenses (799) (195) (1,225) 8 (2,211)
Litigation and conduct costs - - (29) (8) (37)
Operating expenses (799) (195) (1,254) - (2,248)
Operating profit before impairment losses/releases 900 113 1,058 5 2,076
Impairment (losses)/releases (114) (6) (19) 3 (136)
Operating profit 786 107 1,039 8 1,940
           
Total income excluding notable items (1) 1,699 308 2,263 2 4,272
           
Additional information  
Return on Tangible Equity (1) na na na na 18.3%
Return on equity (1) 24.6% 23.6% 19.4% nm na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 47.0% 63.3% 53.0% nm 51.1%
Total assets (£bn) 240.3 30.5 391.9 51.9 714.6
Funded assets (£bn) (1) 240.3 30.5 331.4 51.6 653.8
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn) 216.1 18.9 154.2 29.7 418.9
Loan impairment rate (1) 21bps 13bps 5bps nm 13bps
Impairment provisions (£bn) (1.8) (0.1) (1.7) - (3.6)
Impairment provisions - Stage 3 (£bn) (1.1) (0.1) (1.0) - (2.2)
Customer deposits (£bn) 202.6 42.7 196.4 1.3 443.0
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn) 68.5 11.4 111.9 1.5 193.3
Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 420.5 119.0 352.2 na 891.7
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn) 69.7 11.4 112.9 1.7 195.7
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands) 11.5 2.1 12.3 32.8 58.7
Third party customer asset rate (1) 4.42% 4.66% 5.69% nm nm
Third party customer funding rate (1) (1.63%) (2.47%) (1.41%) nm nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn) (1) 234.1 29.5 266.4 na 557.2
Net interest margin (1) 2.70% 2.72% 2.45% na 2.45%

 

nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results16 

 

 

 

Segment performance continued

 

 

  Quarter ended 31 March 2025
  Retail Private Banking  Commercial  Central items Total NatWest
  Banking  & Wealth Management & Institutional  & other Group
  £m £m £m £m £m
Income statement   
Net interest income 1,438 181 1,459 (52) 3,026
Own credit adjustments - - 6 - 6
Other non-interest income 102 84 677 85 948
Total income  1,540 265 2,142 33 3,980
Direct expenses (166) (59) (379) (1,331) (1,935)
Indirect expenses (511) (128) (636) 1,275 -
Other operating expenses (677) (187) (1,015) (56) (1,935)
Litigation and conduct costs (4) - (29) (11) (44)
Operating expenses (681) (187) (1,044) (67) (1,979)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses 859 78 1,098 (34) 2,001
Impairment losses (109) (1) (78) (1) (189)
Operating profit/(loss) 750 77 1,020 (35) 1,812
   
Total income excluding notable items (1) 1,540 265 2,136 11 3,952
   
Additional information          
Return on Tangible Equity (1) na na na na 18.5%
Return on equity (1) 24.5% 17.1% 19.3% nm na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1) 44.0% 70.6% 47.4% nm 48.6%
Total assets (£bn) 234.3 28.9 397.9 48.9 710.0
Funded assets (£bn) (1) 234.3 28.9 336.1 47.9 647.2
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn) 210.4 18.4 143.1 26.9 398.8
Loan impairment rate (1) 21bps 2bps 22bps nm 19bps
Impairment provisions (£bn) (1.9) (0.1) (1.5) - (3.5)
Impairment provisions - Stage 3 (£bn) (1.1) - (1.0) - (2.1)
Customer deposits (£bn) 195.7 41.2 196.5 1.2 434.6
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn) 66.8 11.3 107.3 1.6 187.0
Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL) (1) 407.9 107.0 341.1 na 856.0
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn) 67.6 11.3 108.5 2.1 189.5
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands) 11.9 2.2 12.8 32.5 59.4
Third party customer asset rate (1) 4.29% 4.83% 6.24% nm nm
Third party customer funding rate (1) (1.87%) (2.90%) (1.71%) nm nm
Average interest earning assets (£bn) (1) 226.5 28.4 255.2 na 541.6
Net interest margin (1) 2.58% 2.59% 2.32% na 2.27%

 

 

nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable

 

(1)Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results17 

 

 

 

Capital and risk management

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk

 

Introduction

 

NatWest Group takes a comprehensive approach to the management of capital, liquidity and funding, underpinned by frameworks, risk appetite and policies, to manage and mitigate capital, liquidity and funding risks. The framework ensures the tools and capability are in place to facilitate the management and mitigation of risk ensuring that NatWest Group operates within its regulatory requirements and risk appetite.

 

 

Key developments since 31 December 2025

 

CET1 ratio

14.3%

(2025 – 14.0%)

The CET1 ratio increased by 30 basis points to 14.3% due to a £0.9 billion increase in CET1 capital partially offset by a £2.7 billion increase in RWAs.

 

The CET1 capital increase was mainly driven by an attributable profit to ordinary shareholders of £1.4 billion and other movements on reserves and regulatory adjustments of £0.2 billion partially offset by a foreseeable ordinary dividend accrual of £0.7 billion.

   

RWAs

£196.0bn

(2025 – £193.3bn)

Total RWAs increased by £2.7 billion to £196.0 billion reflecting:

•        a net increase in credit risk RWAs of £1.8 billion, mainly driven by franchise lending growth with a further increase driven by risk parameters and foreign exchange. These movements were partially offset by the benefit of RWA management actions;

•        an increase in market risk RWAs of £0.6 billion, chiefly driven by SVaR and the incremental risk charge;

•        an increase in counterparty credit risk RWAs of £0.3 billion, primarily due to updating illiquid collateral eligibility in securities financing transactions, partially offset by over-the-counter trades.

   

UK leverage ratio

4.8%

(2025 – 4.8%)

The leverage ratio remained static at 4.8% due to a £0.9 billion increase in Tier 1 capital offset by an £18.7 billion increase in leverage exposure. The key drivers of the leverage exposure movement were an increase in trading assets and other financial assets partially offset by a decrease in other off balance sheet items.

 

MREL ratio

31.9%

(2025 – 31.9%)

The Minimum Requirements of own funds and Eligible Liabilities (MREL) ratio remained static at 31.9% driven by a £0.9 billion increase in MREL partially offset by a £2.7 billion increase in RWAs.

 

MREL increased to £62.5 billion driven by a £0.9 billion increase in CET1 capital, a £0.5 billion increase in Tier 2 capital, and a £0.6 billion decrease in senior unsecured debt. The Tier 2 movement includes an increase of £0.6 billion for a $0.8 billion 5.908% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Subordinated Tier 2 Note issued in March 2026. The senior unsecured debt movement includes the redemption of a $1.0 billion 5.847% Senior Callable Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Note and £0.5 billion 3.125% Senior Callable Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Note in March 2026 offset by a €0.8 billion Fixed-to-Floating Senior Unsecured Note due 2037 issued in February 2026.

   

Liquidity portfolio

£233.4bn

(2025 – £237.9bn)

The liquidity portfolio decreased by £4.5 billion to £233.4 billion compared with Q4 2025. Primary liquidity decreased by £1.6 billion to £155.7 billion, driven by higher lending and Treasury maturities partly offset by issuance and increased deposits. Secondary liquidity decreased by £3.0 billion due to reduced pre-positioned collateral at the Bank of England.
   

LCR average

144%

(2025 – 147%)

The average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) decreased by 3% to 144% during Q1 2026, due to higher lending offset by higher deposits and issuance, and changes in outflow assumptions.
   

NSFR average

134%

(2025 – 135%)

The average Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) decreased by 1% to 134% during Q1 2026 driven by increased lending partly offset by increased deposits.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results18 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

 

Maximum Distributable Amount (MDA) and Minimum Capital Requirements  

NatWest Group is subject to minimum capital requirements relative to RWAs. The table below summarises the minimum capital requirements (the sum of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2A), and the additional capital buffers which are held in excess of the regulatory minimum requirements and are usable in stress.

 

Where the CET1 ratio falls below the sum of the minimum capital and the combined buffer requirement, there is a subsequent automatic restriction on the amount available to service discretionary payments (including AT1 coupons), known as the MDA. Note that different capital requirements apply to individual legal entities or sub-groups and that the table shown does not reflect any incremental PRA buffer requirements, which are not disclosable.

 

The current capital position provides significant headroom above both NatWest Group’s minimum requirements and its MDA threshold requirements.

 

Type CET1 Total Tier 1  Total capital
Pillar 1 requirements 4.5% 6.0% 8.0%
Pillar 2A requirements 1.6% 2.2% 2.9%
Minimum Capital Requirements 6.1% 8.2% 10.9%
Capital conservation buffer 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
Countercyclical capital buffer (1)  1.7% 1.7% 1.7%
MDA threshold (2) 10.3% n/a n/a
Overall capital requirement  10.3% 12.4% 15.1%
Capital ratios at 31 March 2026 14.3% 16.6% 19.8%
Headroom (3,4)  4.0% 4.2% 4.7%

 

(1)The UK countercyclical buffer (CCyB) rate is currently being maintained at 2%. This may vary in either direction in the future subject to how risks develop. Foreign exposures may be subject to different CCyB rates depending on the rate set in those jurisdictions.
(2)Pillar 2A requirements for NatWest Group are set as a variable amount with the exception of some fixed add-ons.
(3)The headroom does not reflect excess distributable capital and may vary over time.
(4)Headroom as at 31 December 2025 was CET1 3.7%, Total Tier 1 4.0% and Total Capital 4.2%.

 

 

Leverage ratios

The table below summarises the minimum ratios of capital to leverage exposure under the binding PRA UK leverage framework applicable for NatWest Group.

 

Type CET1 Total Tier 1
Minimum ratio 2.44% 3.25%
Countercyclical leverage ratio buffer (1) 0.6% 0.6%
Total 3.04% 3.85%

 

(1)The countercyclical leverage ratio buffer is set at 35% of NatWest Group’s CCyB.

 

Liquidity and funding ratios

The table below summarises the minimum requirements for key liquidity and funding metrics under the PRA framework.

 

Type  
Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) 100%
Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) 100%

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results19 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

 

Capital and leverage ratios

The tables below show key prudential metrics calculated in accordance with current PRA rules.

 

  31 March 31 December
  2026 2025
Capital adequacy ratios % %
CET1 14.3 14.0
Tier 1 16.6 16.4
Total 19.8 19.3
     
Capital £m £m
Tangible equity 31,860 30,736
     
Expected loss less impairment - (89)
Prudential valuation adjustment (185) (167)
Deferred tax assets (775) (804)
Own credit adjustments 28 42
Pension fund assets (188) (187)
Cash flow hedging reserve 878 752
Foreseeable ordinary dividends (2,553) (1,837)
Adjustment for trust assets (1) (365) (365)
Foreseeable charges (2) (608) (921)
Other adjustments for regulatory purposes (96) (94)
Total regulatory adjustments (3,864) (3,670)
     
CET1 capital 27,996 27,066
     
Additional AT1 capital 4,571 4,555
Tier 1 capital 32,567 31,621
     
Tier 2 capital 6,283 5,754
Total regulatory capital 38,850 37,375
     
Risk-weighted assets    
Credit risk 157,427 155,610
Counterparty credit risk 7,909 7,609
Market risk 5,079 4,474
Operational risk 25,595 25,595
Total RWAs 196,010 193,288

 

(1)Prudent deduction in respect of agreement with the pension fund to establish legal structure to remove dividend-linked contribution.
(2)The foreseeable charges of £608 million relates to share buybacks (31 December 2025 - £921 million).

 

  31 March 31 December
  2026 2025
Leverage £m £m
Cash and balances at central banks 78,966 85,182
Trading assets 56,817 46,537
Derivatives 66,408 60,789
Financial assets 523,567 505,609
Other assets 23,883 16,436
Total assets 749,641 714,553
Derivatives    
   - netting and variation margin (63,035) (58,769)
   - potential future exposures 18,907 18,155
Securities financing transactions gross up 1,808 2,593
Other off balance sheet items 59,842 70,909
Regulatory deductions and other adjustments (17,017) (9,699)
Claims on central banks (75,548) (81,616)
Exclusion of bounce back loans (925) (1,172)
UK leverage exposure  673,673 654,954
UK leverage ratio (%) 4.8 4.8

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results20 

 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

 

Capital flow statement

The table below analyses the movement in CET1, AT1 and Tier 2 capital for the three months ended 31 March 2026.

 

  CET1 AT1 Tier 2 Total
  £m £m £m £m
At 31 December 2025 27,066 4,555 5,754 37,375
Attributable profit for the period 1,432 - - 1,432
Foreseeable ordinary dividends  (716) - - (716)
Foreign exchange reserve (87) - - (87)
FVOCI reserve 28 - - 28
Own credit (14) - - (14)

Share-based remuneration and shares vested under employee share schemes

102 - - 102
Goodwill and intangibles deduction 66 - - 66
Deferred tax assets 29 - - 29
Prudential valuation adjustments (18) - - (18)
New issues of capital instruments - - 553 553
Other capital instrument movements (1) - 16 (53) (37)
Expected loss less impairment 89 - - 89
Other movements 19 - 29 48
At 31 March 2026 27,996 4,571 6,283 38,850

 

(1)Other capital instrument movements include foreign exchange movements, accrued interest and fair value adjustments to capital instruments.

 

 

For CET1 movements refer to the key points on page 18.
Tier 2 movements of £0.5 billion include an increase of £0.6 billion for a $0.8 billion 5.908% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Subordinated Tier 2 Note issued in March 2026.
Within other movements for Tier 2 capital, there is an increase as a result of excess IRB provisions over expected losses in the period.

 

 

Capital generation pre-distributions

  31 March 31 December
  2026 2025
  £m £m
CET1  27,996 27,066
CET1 capital pre-distributions (1) 28,712 31,171
RWAs  196,010 193,288
     
CET1 ratio (%) - opening at 1 January 14.00 13.61
CET1 ratio pre-distributions (%) - closing 14.65 16.13
Capital generation pre-distributions (%) (1) 0.65 2.52

 

(1)The calculation of capital generation pre-distributions uses CET1 capital pre-distributions. Distributions include ordinary dividends paid, foreseeable ordinary dividends and share buybacks.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results21 

 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

 

Risk-weighted assets

The table below analyses the movement in RWAs for the quarter ended 31 March 2026, by key drivers.

 

    Counterparty   Operational  
  Credit risk credit risk Market risk risk Total 
  £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
At 31 December 2025 155.6 7.6 4.5 25.6 193.3
Foreign exchange movement 0.2 - - - 0.2
Business movement 1.3 0.2 0.6 - 2.1
Risk parameter changes 0.3 - - - 0.3
Model updates - 0.1 - - 0.1
At 31 March 2026 157.4 7.9 5.1 25.6 196.0

 

 

The table below analyses segmental RWAs.

 

    Private Banking     Total 
  Retail  & Wealth Commercial  Central items  NatWest
  Banking Management & Institutional  & other Group
Total RWAs £bn £bn £bn £bn £bn
At 31 December 2025 68.5 11.4 111.9 1.5 193.3
Foreign exchange movement - - 0.2 - 0.2
Business movement 0.7 - 1.5 (0.1) 2.1
Risk parameter changes  0.1 - 0.2 - 0.3
Model updates 0.9 - (0.8) - 0.1
At 31 March 2026 70.2 11.4 113.0 1.4 196.0
   
Credit risk 60.8 9.7 85.5 1.4 157.4
Counterparty credit risk 0.2 - 7.7 - 7.9
Market risk 0.1 - 5.0 - 5.1
Operational risk 9.1 1.7 14.8 - 25.6
Total RWAs 70.2 11.4 113.0 1.4 196.0
 

Total RWAs increased by £2.7 billion to £196.0 billion during the period mainly reflecting:

 

An increase in risk-weighted assets from foreign exchange movements of £0.2 billion, primarily due to sterling depreciation versus the US dollar and appreciation versus euro.
An increase in business movements of £2.1 billion, primarily driven by credit risk reflecting franchise lending growth, partially offset by the benefit of RWA management actions. A further increase was driven by market risk, due to SVaR and the incremental risk charge. An increase in counterparty credit risk was primarily due to updating illiquid collateral eligibility in securities financing transactions, partially offset by over-the-counter trades.
An increase in risk parameters of £0.3 billion driven by movements in risk metrics within Commercial & Institutional and Retail Banking.
An increase in model updates of £0.1 billion driven by CRDIV model updates in Retail Banking partially offset by CRDIV model benefits in Commercial & Institutional.

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results22 

 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

 

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

 

Liquidity portfolio

The table below shows the composition of the liquidity portfolio with primary liquidity aligned to high-quality liquid assets on a regulatory LCR basis. Secondary liquidity comprises of assets which are eligible as collateral for local central bank liquidity facilities and do not form part of the LCR eligible high-quality liquid assets. High-quality liquid assets cover both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 risks.

 

  Liquidity value
  31 March 2026   31 December 2025
  NatWest NWH UK DoL   NatWest NWH UK DoL
  Group (1) Group (2) Sub   Group (1) Group (2) Sub 
  £m £m £m   £m £m £m
Cash and balances at central banks   74,868  42,090  41,408    81,107  52,307  51,640
High quality government/MDB/PSE and GSE bonds (3)  67,464  49,714  49,714    61,438  42,214  42,214

Extremely high-quality covered bonds

 4,404  4,404  4,404    4,415  4,414  4,414
LCR level 1 assets  146,736  96,208  95,526    146,960  98,935  98,268
LCR level 2 Eligible Assets (4)  8,991  8,168  8,168    10,325  9,466  9,466
Primary liquidity (HQLA) (5)  155,727  104,376  103,694    157,285  108,401  107,734
Secondary liquidity  77,647  77,647  77,647    80,647  80,647  80,647
Total liquidity value  233,374  182,023  181,341    237,932  189,048  188,381

 

(1)NatWest Group includes the UK Domestic Liquidity Sub-Group (UK DoLSub), NatWest Markets Plc and other significant operating subsidiaries that hold liquidity portfolios. These include RBSI Ltd and NWM N.V. who hold managed portfolios that comply with local regulations that may differ from PRA rules.
(2)NWH Group comprises UK DoLSub and NatWest Bank Europe GmbH who hold managed portfolios that comply with local regulations that may differ from PRA rules.
(3)Multilateral development bank abbreviated to MDB, public sector entities abbreviated to PSE and government sponsored entities abbreviated to GSE.
(4)Includes Level 2A and Level 2B.
(5)High-quality liquid assets abbreviated to HQLA.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results23 

 

 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk

 

Economic drivers

 

Introduction

 

The portfolio segmentation and selection of economic drivers for IFRS 9 follows the approach used in stress testing. The stress models for each portfolio segment (defined by product or asset class and where relevant, industry sector and region) are based on a selected, small number of economic variables that best explain the movements in portfolio loss rates. The process to select economic drivers uses empirical analysis and expert judgement.

 

The most significant economic drivers for material portfolios are shown in the table below:

 

Portfolio Economic drivers
Personal mortgages Unemployment rate, sterling swap rate, house price index, real wage
Personal unsecured Unemployment rate, sterling swap rate, real wage
Corporates Stock price index, gross domestic product (GDP)
Commercial real estate Stock price index, commercial property price index, GDP

 

Economic scenarios

 

At 31 March 2026, the range of anticipated future economic conditions was defined by a set of four internally developed scenarios and their respective probabilities. In addition to the base case, they comprised upside, downside and extreme downside scenarios.

 

At 31 March 2026, the four scenarios were deemed appropriate in capturing the uncertainty in economic forecasts and the non-linearity in outcomes under different scenarios. These four scenarios were developed to provide sufficient coverage to current risks faced by the economy and consider varying outcomes across inflation, interest rate, the labour market, asset price and economic growth, around which there remains pronounced levels of uncertainty.

 

Since 31 December 2025, the near-term economic growth outlook weakened, mainly due to rising energy prices following the Middle East conflict. To reflect the impact, changes have been made to the base case economic outlook. Inflation is likely to peak above 3.5%. Real incomes are expected to come under pressure, with economic growth slowing to 0.4%. 

The unemployment rate is assumed to peak higher at 5.7%. Given the elevated risks of second round inflationary impacts, it is assumed that bank rates are paused at the current level. Asset prices show modest declines due to weaker growth and higher than anticipated interest rates.

 

At 31 March 2026, the extreme downside scenario was updated to further incorporate physical and transition climate risks. 

 

High-level narrative - potential developments, vulnerabilities and risks
Growth Outperformance - above trend growth as government support helps in consumer sentiment recovery Upside
Modest - soft in 2026, close to trend pace afterwards Base case
Stalling - cautious consumer and policy uncertainty weighs on activity Downside
Extreme stress - extreme fall in GDP followed by a weak recovery Extreme downside
Inflation Sticky - strong growth and/or wage policies keep services inflation above target in medium term Upside
Reversal - ongoing progress against inflation halted, inflation rises to around 3.5% Base case
Slow - swift fall to lower levels as demand shock dominates Downside
Stagflation - crystallisation of physical risks, acceleration of transition policy, surging energy prices and second round impacts, leading to double digit inflation Extreme downside
Labour
market
Recovery - job growth rebounds strongly, reversing much of the recent rise in unemployment rate Upside
Cooling continues - gradual loosening continues into 2026, before improving Base case
Job shedding - redundancies, reduced hours, building slack Downside
Depression - unemployment hits levels close to previous peaks amid severe stress Extreme downside

Rates

short-term

Cautious - higher growth and inflation keep the Monetary Policy Committee cautious Upside
Pause - rate cutting cycle on pause given the risk of second round inflation impacts. Base case
Supportive - sharp declines to support recovery Downside
Sharp rise - sharp rates tightening in response to double digit inflation Extreme downside

Rates

long-term

Above consensus - 4% Upside
Flat - 3.75% Base case
Low - 2% Downside
High - 4% Extreme downside

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results24 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Economic drivers continued

 

Main macroeconomic variables

 

The main macroeconomic variables for each of the four scenarios used for expected credit loss (ECL) modelling are set out in the table below.

 

  2026   2025
        Extreme Weighted         Extreme Weighted
  Upside Base case Downside downside average   Upside Base case Downside downside average
Five-year summary % % % % %   % % % % %
GDP 2.1 1.1 0.3 (0.4) 1.0   2.1 1.4 0.5 0.1 1.2
Unemployment rate 4.3 5.4 6.0 7.3 5.5   4.3 5.1 5.6 7.0 5.3
House price index 6.0 1.2 (0.4) (4.2) 1.4   5.7 3.3 0.6 (3.8) 2.6
Commercial real estate price 6.0 0.4 (1.6) (5.3) 0.7   6.1 2.2 (0.3) (5.0) 1.9
Consumer price index 2.2 2.3 1.7 4.3 2.5   2.6 2.4 2.4 1.8 2.3
Bank of England base rate 4.0 3.8 1.8 5.4 3.7   4.0 3.5 2.6 1.4 3.2
Stock price index 5.8 3.7 3.5 (0.3) 3.6   6.2 4.8 2.8 1.1 4.3
World GDP 3.7 3.0 2.5 1.6 2.9   3.7 3.1 2.5 2.2 3.0
Probability weight 22.5 45.0 18.3 14.2     22.4 45.0 19.5 13.1  

 

(1)The five-year summary runs from 2026-2030 for 31 March 2026 and from 2025-2029 for 31 December 2025.
(2)The table shows compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for GDP, average levels for the unemployment rate and Bank of England base rate and Q4 to Q4 CAGR for other parameters.

 

Probability weightings of scenarios

 

NatWest Group applies a quantitative approach for IFRS 9 multiple economic scenarios by selecting specific discrete scenarios that represent the range of risks in the economic outlook and assigning appropriate probability weights.

 

The approach involves comparing GDP paths for NatWest Group’s scenarios against a set of model simulations to determine the percentile in the distribution that aligns most closely with each scenario.

 

The probability weight for the base case is determined first using judgement, while probability weights for the alternative scenarios are then assigned based on these percentiles scores.

 

The assigned probability weights were judged to be aligned with the subjective assessment of balance of the risks in the economy. Given the balance of risks that the economies in which NatWest Group operates are exposed to, NatWest Group judges it appropriate that downside-biased scenarios have higher combined probability weights than the upside-biased scenario. Skew between the upside scenario and downside scenarios was broadly similar to that at 31 December 2025. Compared to 31 December 2025, the base case was assigned the same weight. The downside scenario had a lower weight, which was consistent with the severity of the scenario and changes to the broader suite. 

The extreme downside scenario had a higher weight which was deemed reasonable given the rising risk of stagflation.

 

It presents good coverage to the range of outcomes assumed in the scenarios, including the potential for a robust recovery on the upside and exceptionally challenging outcomes on the downside. A 22.5% weighting was applied to the upside scenario, a 45.0% weighting applied to the base case scenario, an 18.3% weighting applied to the downside scenario and a 14.2% weighting applied to the extreme downside scenario. 

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results25 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Economic drivers continued

 

Annual figures

 

  GDP - annual growth     Consumer price index - four quarter change
  Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %     Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %
2026 1.2 0.4 (0.4) (1.0) 0.3   2026 2.6 3.5 1.3 9.0 3.7
2027 3.2 1.0 (1.6) (3.5) 0.4   2027 2.4 2.1 1.4 4.7 2.4
2028 2.6 1.5 1.1 0.6 1.6   2028 2.1 2.0 1.9 3.7 2.2
2029 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.0 1.4   2029 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.0
2030 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.0 1.4   2030 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
 
  Unemployment rate - annual average   Bank of England base rate - annual average
  Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %     Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %
2026 5.1 5.5 5.5 5.7 5.4   2026 3.94 3.75 2.80 5.25 3.83
2027 4.2 5.7 6.2 7.2 5.6   2027 4.00 3.75 1.52 6.75 3.82
2028 4.1 5.4 6.4 8.4 5.7   2028 4.00 3.75 1.50 5.89 3.70
2029 4.1 5.3 6.1 8.0 5.5   2029 4.00 3.75 1.50 5.06 3.58
2030 4.0 5.1 5.7 7.4 5.3   2030 4.00 3.75 1.77 4.26 3.52
 
  House price index - four quarter change   Stock price index - four quarter change
  Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %     Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %
2026 6.4 0.7 (4.3) (5.9) 0.1   2026 13.8 (2.5) (20.9) (39.0) (7.4)
2027 7.6 (1.8) (6.6) (12.4) (1.8)   2027 5.6 5.2 8.1 4.8 5.7
2028 5.3 (0.5) (0.7) (12.0) (0.4)   2028 3.5 5.2 12.9 18.1 7.2
2029 5.3 3.9 4.9 4.7 4.5   2029 3.5 5.3 11.5 15.3 6.9
2030 5.6 4.0 5.2 6.3 4.9   2030 3.1 5.3 10.4 13.3 6.5
 
  Commercial real estate price - four quarter change  
  Upside % Base case % Downside % Extreme downside % Weighted average %    
2026 11.9 (2.6) (9.4) (15.0) (2.3)    
2027 4.9 (2.1) (9.5) (22.4) (4.1)    
2028 5.8 2.8 4.1 3.9 4.0    
2029 4.3 2.0 4.1 5.8 3.4    
2030 3.0 2.0 4.0 5.0 2.9    

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results26 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Economic drivers continued

 

Worst points

 

  2026   2025
  Downside % Quarter Extreme
Downside %
Quarter Weighted
Average %
  Downside % Quarter Extreme
Downside %
Quarter Weighted
Average %
GDP (2.3) Q2 2027 (4.8) Q2 2027 -   - Q4 2027 (3.8) Q4 2026 -
Unemployment rate - peak 6.5 Q1 2028 8.5 Q2 2028 5.8   6.2 Q4 2027 8.5 Q4 2027 5.6
House price index (12.7) Q3 2028 (27.6) Q1 2029 (2.6)   (2.4) Q2 2028 (25.9) Q2 2028 -
Commercial real estate price (18.0) Q4 2027 (35.0) Q1 2028 (6.3)   (7.3) Q2 2027 (33.3) Q3 2027 -
Consumer price index                      
 - highest four quarter change 1.1 Q1 2026 10.0 Q1 2027 3.7   3.8 Q3 2025 3.8 Q3 2025 3.8
Bank of England base rate - extreme level 1.5 Q1 2026 7.0 Q1 2027 3.9   2.0 Q1 2025 0.1 Q1 2025 2.8
Stock price index (22.7) Q1 2027 (44.8) Q1 2027 (7.6)   (6.7) Q4 2026 (47.7) Q4 2026 -

 

(1)The figures show falls relative to the starting period for GDP, house price index, commercial real estate price and stock price index. For unemployment rate, it shows highest value through the scenario horizon. For consumer price index, it shows highest or lowest annual percentage change. For Bank of England base rate, it shows highest or lowest value through the horizon. The calculations are performed over five years, with a starting point of Q4 2025 for 31 March 2026 scenarios and Q4 2024 for 31 December 2025 scenarios.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results27 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Segment analysis – portfolio summary

 

The table below shows gross loans and ECL, by segment and stage, within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework.

 

  31 March 2026   31 December 2025
    Private Banking           Private Banking      
  Retail & Wealth Commercial  Central items     Retail & Wealth Commercial Central items   
  Banking Management & Institutional & other Total   Banking Management & Institutional & other Total
  £m £m £m £m £m   £m £m £m £m £m
Loans - amortised cost and FVOCI (1,2)    
Stage 1 198,995 17,621 140,577 40,467 397,660   196,325 17,552 138,769 34,005 386,651
Stage 2 19,553 1,112 21,151 49 41,865   19,113 1,115 18,289 65 38,582
Stage 3 2,424 378 2,050 2 4,854   2,231 348 2,102 2 4,683
Of which: individual - 324 1,081 - 1,405   - 276 1,180 - 1,456
Of which: collective 2,424 54 969 2 3,449   2,231 72 922 2 3,227
Total  220,972 19,111 163,778 40,518 444,379   217,669 19,015 159,160 34,072 429,916
ECL provisions (3)    
Stage 1 334 15 289 7 645   335 13 256 10 614
Stage 2  467 14 372 1 854   424 13 357 2 796
Stage 3 1,151 55 1,037 1 2,244   1,075 50 1,048 2 2,175
Of which: individual - 55 540 - 595   - 50 548 - 598
Of which: collective 1,151 - 497 1 1,649   1,075 - 500 2 1,577
Total  1,952 84 1,698 9 3,743   1,834 76 1,661 14 3,585
ECL provisions coverage (4)    
Stage 1 (%) 0.17 0.09 0.21 0.02 0.16   0.17 0.07 0.18 0.03 0.16
Stage 2 (%) 2.39 1.26 1.76 2.04 2.04   2.22 1.17 1.95 3.08 2.06
Stage 3 (%) 47.48 14.55 50.59 50.00 46.23   48.18 14.37 49.86 100.00 46.44
Total  0.88 0.44 1.04 0.02 0.84   0.84 0.40 1.04 0.04 0.83

 

(1)The table shows gross loans only and excludes amounts that were outside the scope of the ECL framework. Other financial assets within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework were cash and balances at central banks totalling £78.0 billion (31 December 2025 - £84.1 billion) and debt securities of £81.5 billion (31 December 2025 - £78.4 billion).
(2)Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). Includes loans to customers and banks.
(3)Includes £7 million (31 December 2025 - £6 million) related to assets classified as FVOCI and £0.1 billion (31 December 2025 - £0.1 billion) related to off-balance sheet exposures.
(4)ECL provisions coverage is calculated as ECL provisions, including ECL for other non-loan assets and unutilised exposure, divided by loans - amortised cost and FVOCI.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results28 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Segment analysis - loans

 

·Retail Banking - Year-to-date balance sheet expansion was primarily attributed to growth in the mortgage portfolio. Asset quality remained consistent throughout Q1 2026, underscoring sustained customer resilience and disciplined risk management. Although portfolio performance was stable, ECL coverage for Retail Banking increased compared to 31 December 2025, due to updates in economic scenarios that incorporate increased global economic uncertainty due to the Middle East conflict. Overall, default rates held steady, however, unsecured flows into Stage 3 increased during the quarter, largely as a result of strategic credit card portfolio growth and seasoning since 2022.

 

·Commercial & Institutional - Coverage increased modestly with rises in both ECL and balances. Strong underlying portfolio performance was offset by the impact of new economic scenarios, which led to an increase in Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL. Stage 3 charges and flows to default remained subdued. 

Movement in ECL provision

 

The table below shows the main ECL provision movements during the year.

 

  ECL provision
  £m
At 1 January 2026 3,585
Changes in economic forecasts 140
Changes in risk metrics and exposure: Stage 1 and Stage 2 (16)
Changes in risk metrics and exposure: Stage 3 219
Judgemental changes: changes in post model adjustments for Stage 1,  
   Stage 2 and Stage 3 (34)
Write-offs and other (151)
At 31 March 2026 3,743

 

ECL increased in Q1 2026, largely driven by updates to economic scenarios and associated weights to reflect increased geopolitical risk and weaker equity markets, with an adaptation to the extreme downside scenario to further incorporate physical and transition climate risks.

 

Stage 3 charges in Q1 2026 remain broadly stable overall with increases in Personal Stage 3 charges driven by seasoning of post-2022 unsecured lending growth, in line with expectations.

 

Judgemental ECL post model adjustments decreased by £34 million to £262 million (31 December 2025 - £296 million) representing 7.0% of total ECL (31 December 2025 - 8.3%), reflecting that for Non-Personal portfolios, more economic uncertainty is being captured by the models.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results29 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

ECL post model adjustments

 

The table below shows ECL post model adjustments.

 

    Private Banking    
  Retail Banking & Wealth Commercial  
  Mortgages Other  Management  & Institutional Total
31 March 2026 £m £m £m £m £m
Deferred model calibrations - - 1 12 13
Economic uncertainty 45 41 9 125 220
Other adjustments - 20 - 9 29
Total 45 61 10 146 262
Of which:          
- Stage 1 37 35 3 53 128
- Stage 2 8 22 7 93 130
- Stage 3 - 4 - - 4
 
31 December 2025          
Deferred model calibrations - - 1 14 15
Economic uncertainty 44 42 11 149 246
Other adjustments - 19 - 16 35
Total 44 61 12 179 296
Of which:          
- Stage 1 33 38 4 73 148
- Stage 2 11 20 8 106 145
- Stage 3 - 3 - - 3

Post model adjustments decreased since 31 December 2025 reflecting that for Non-Personal portfolios, the latest economic scenarios are capturing more economic uncertainty.

 

Retail Banking - As at 31 March 2026, the post model adjustment for economic uncertainty remained stable at £86 million (31 December 2025 - £86 million). The cost of living post model adjustment continued to address the risk in segments of the Retail Banking portfolio that were more susceptible to affordability challenges. It focused on key affordability factors, including overindebted borrowers, poor credit card affordability status and lower income customers in fuel poverty.

 

A £20 million post model adjustment remains as a judgemental measure while additional loss data is accumulated on the recently migrated Sainsbury’s Bank lending portfolio.

 

Commercial & Institutional - As at 31 March 2026, the post model adjustment for economic uncertainty decreased to £125 million (31 December 2025 - £149 million), reflecting a greater element of economic uncertainty being captured by the models.

 

The remaining £21 million (31 December 2025 - £30 million) of post model adjustments were for deferred model calibrations relating to refinance risk and to mitigate the effect of operational timing delays in the identification and flagging of a significant increase in credit risk.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results30 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Measurement uncertainty and ECL sensitivity analysis

 

The recognition and measurement of ECL is complex and requires significant judgement and estimation, especially during times of economic volatility and uncertainty. This includes the formulation and incorporation of multiple forward-looking economic conditions into ECL to meet the measurement objectives of IFRS 9. The ECL provision is sensitive to the model inputs and economic assumptions used in the estimation.

 

Simulations were conducted to assess the impact of various economic scenarios, including base case, upside, downside and extreme downside scenarios. The potential ECL impacts reflected the simulated impact as at 31 March 2026. In the simulations, NatWest Group assumed that the economic macro variables associated with each scenario would replace the existing base case economic assumptions, giving them a 100% probability weighting and therefore serving as a single economic scenario. These scenarios were applied to all modelled portfolios with the simulation affecting both probability of defaults and loss given defaults. Post model adjustments included in the ECL estimates were adjusted in line with the modelled ECL movements. However, adjustments that were judgemental in nature, such as those for deferred model calibrations and economic uncertainty, were not automatically recalculated. Instead, they will be re-evaluated by management through ECL governance for any new economic scenario outlook.

 

As expected, the scenarios created varying impacts on ECL by portfolio, and these impacts were deemed reasonable. The simulations assumed that existing modelled relationships between key economic variables and drivers would hold. However, in practice, other factors such as potential changes in customer behaviour and policy changes could also impact the wider availability of credit.

 

The focus of the simulations was on ECL provisioning requirements for performing exposures in Stage 1 and Stage 2. The simulations were run on a stand-alone basis and were independent of each other. Scenario impacts on SICR were considered when evaluating the ECL movements of Stage 1 and Stage 2.

 

Stage 3 provisions are not subject to the same level of measurement uncertainty, as default is an observed event as at the balance sheet date and defaulted loss given default is typically more impacted by borrower specific factors rather than economics. Therefore, Stage 3 provisions were not considered in this analysis.

          Extreme
    Base Upside Downside downside
31 March 2026 Actual scenario scenario scenario scenario
Total Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL (£m) 1,499 1,400 1,155 1,598 3,177
Variance to actual total Stage 1 and   
   Stage 2 ECL (£m) - (99) (344) 99 1,678
 
31 December 2025          
Total Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL (£m) 1,410 1,301 1,186 1,464 2,660
Variance to actual total Stage 1 and   
   Stage 2 ECL (£m) - (109) (224) 54 1,250

 

If the economics were as negative as observed in the extreme downside (i.e. 100% probability weighting), total Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL was simulated to increase by £1.7 billion (112%). This was mainly driven by the Non-Personal portfolios with significant falls in both the stock index and commercial real estate prices.

 

For the downside scenario (with 100% weighting), total Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL was simulated to increase by £0.1 billion (7%) with smaller movements in key economic variables.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results31 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Sector analysis – portfolio summary

 

The table below shows financial assets and off-balance sheet exposures gross of ECL and related ECL provisions, impairment and past due by sector, asset quality and geographical region.

 

  Personal   Non-Personal  
    Credit Other      Corporate and  Financial      
  Mortgages (1)  cards personal Total   other institutions (2) Sovereign Total Total
31 March 2026 £m £m £m £m   £m £m £m £m £m
Loans by geography 218,516 8,154 11,564 238,234   120,712 84,068 1,365 206,145 444,379
  - UK 218,511 8,154 11,564 238,229   102,155 49,899 548 152,602 390,831
  - Other Europe 5 - - 5   7,184 19,384 354 26,922 26,927
  - RoW - - - -   11,373 14,785 463 26,621 26,621
Loans by asset quality (3)  218,516 8,154 11,564 238,234   120,712 84,068 1,365 206,145 444,379
  - AQ1-AQ4 121,924 109 884 122,917   48,796 77,775 937 127,508 250,425
  - AQ5-AQ8 93,999 7,618 9,449 111,066   69,676 6,138 137 75,951 187,017
  - AQ9 1,141 154 222 1,517   280 12 276 568 2,085
  - AQ10 1,452 273 1,009 2,734   1,960 143 15 2,118 4,852
Loans by stage  218,516 8,154 11,564 238,234   120,712 84,068 1,365 206,145 444,379
  - Stage 1 200,921 5,705 8,988 215,614   97,382 83,590 1,074 182,046 397,660
  - Stage 2 16,141 2,176 1,567 19,884   21,370 335 276 21,981 41,865
  - Stage 3 1,454 273 1,009 2,736   1,960 143 15 2,118 4,854
  - Of which: individual 204 1 26 231   1,021 138 15 1,174 1,405
  - Of which: collective 1,250 272 983 2,505   939 5 - 944 3,449
Loans - past due analysis 218,516 8,154 11,564 238,234   120,712 84,068 1,365 206,145 444,379
  - Not past due 215,831 7,809 10,526 234,166   117,006 83,845 1,353 202,204 436,370
  - Past due 1-30 days 1,413 74 94 1,581   2,347 173 - 2,520 4,101
  - Past due 31-90 days 468 88 115 671   679 47 12 738 1,409
  - Past due 91-180 days 298 71 104 473   52 - - 52 525
  - Past due >180 days 506 112 725 1,343   628 3 - 631 1,974
Loans - Stage 2 16,141 2,176 1,567 19,884   21,370 335 276 21,981 41,865
  - Not past due 14,809 2,073 1,448 18,330   20,001 324 276 20,601 38,931
  - Past due 1-30 days 1,077 44 49 1,170   1,052 3 - 1,055 2,225
  - Past due 31-90 days 255 59 70 384   317 8 - 325 709
Weighted average life                     
   - ECL measurement (years) 9 4 6 5   6 4 nm 6 6
ECL provisions by geography 281 564 1,149 1,994   1,581 149 19 1,749 3,743
  - UK 280 564 1,149 1,993   1,394 100 6 1,500 3,493
  - Other Europe 1 - - 1   119 8 - 127 128
  - RoW - - - -   68 41 13 122 122

 

For the notes to this table refer to page 35.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results32 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Sector analysis – portfolio summary continued

 

  Personal   Non-Personal  
    Credit Other     Corporate and  Financial      
  Mortgages (1)  cards personal Total   other institutions (2) Sovereign Total Total
31 March 2026 £m £m £m £m   £m £m £m £m £m
ECL provisions by stage  281 564 1,149 1,994   1,581 149 19 1,749 3,743
  - Stage 1 50 120 168 338   267 33 7 307 645
  - Stage 2 37 224 207 468   374 7 5 386 854
  - Stage 3 194 220 774 1,188   940 109 7 1,056 2,244
  - Of which: individual 16 1 13 30   452 106 7 565 595
  - Of which: collective 178 219 761 1,158   488 3 - 491 1,649
ECL provisions coverage (%) 0.13 6.92 9.94 0.84   1.31 0.18 1.39 0.85 0.84
  - Stage 1 (%) 0.02 2.10 1.87 0.16   0.27 0.04 0.65 0.17 0.16
  - Stage 2 (%) 0.23 10.29 13.21 2.35   1.75 2.09 1.81 1.76 2.04
  - Stage 3 (%) 13.34 80.59 76.71 43.42   47.96 76.22 46.67 49.86 46.23
Loans by residual maturity 218,516 8,154 11,564 238,234   120,712 84,068 1,365 206,145 444,379
 - ≤1 year  2,468 1,771 2,671 6,910   33,527 60,712 807 95,046 101,956
 - >1 and ≤5 year 8,430 6,383 6,503 21,316   53,900 19,163 94 73,157 94,473
 - >5 and ≤15 year 43,532 - 2,088 45,620   24,785 4,134 295 29,214 74,834
 - >15 year 164,086 - 302 164,388   8,500 59 169 8,728 173,116
Other financial assets by asset quality (3) - - - -   4,472 28,381 126,635 159,488 159,488
  - AQ1-AQ4 - - - -   4,463 28,291 126,635 159,389 159,389
  - AQ5-AQ8 - - - -   9 90 - 99 99
Off-balance sheet 16,216 23,157 7,499 46,872   77,466 23,929 409 101,804 148,676
  - Loan commitments 16,216 23,157 7,464 46,837   74,472 22,370 409 97,251 144,088
  - Contingent liabilities - - 35 35   2,994 1,559 - 4,553 4,588
Off-balance sheet by asset quality (3) 16,216 23,157 7,499 46,872   77,466 23,929 409 101,804 148,676
  - AQ1-AQ4 15,309 403 6,087 21,799   49,497 21,732 43 71,272 93,071
  - AQ5-AQ8 895 22,670 1,373 24,938   27,625 2,161 - 29,786 54,724
  - AQ9  2 13 10 25   28 - 366 394 419
  - AQ10 10 71 29 110   316 36 - 352 462

 

For the notes to this table refer to page 35.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results33 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Sector analysis – portfolio summary continued

 

  Personal   Non-Personal  
  Credit Other     Corporate and  Financial      
  Mortgages (1)  cards personal Total   other institutions (2) Sovereign Total Total
31 December 2025 £m £m £m £m   £m £m £m £m £m
Loans by geography 215,229 8,311 11,401 234,941   118,229 74,456 2,290 194,975 429,916
  - UK 215,220 8,311 11,401 234,932   101,441 45,700 1,477 148,618 383,550
  - Other Europe 9 - - 9   7,010 14,059 351 21,420 21,429
  - RoW - - - -   9,778 14,697 462 24,937 24,937
Loans by asset quality (3)  215,229 8,311 11,401 234,941   118,229 74,456 2,290 194,975 429,916
  - AQ1-AQ4 120,519 117 877 121,513   46,282 68,774 1,879 116,935 238,448
  - AQ5-AQ8 92,296 7,817 9,360 109,473   69,665 5,535 131 75,331 184,804
  - AQ9 1,075 135 208 1,418   292 6 265 563 1,981
  - AQ10 1,339 242 956 2,537   1,990 141 15 2,146 4,683
Loans by stage 215,229 8,311 11,401 234,941   118,229 74,456 2,290 194,975 429,916
  - Stage 1 197,939 5,988 8,977 212,904   97,779 73,959 2,009 173,747 386,651
  - Stage 2 15,951 2,081 1,468 19,500   18,460 356 266 19,082 38,582
  - Stage 3 1,339 242 956 2,537   1,990 141 15 2,146 4,683
  - Of which: individual 167 1 25 193   1,112 136 15 1,263 1,456
  - Of which: collective 1,172 241 931 2,344   878 5 - 883 3,227
Loans - past due analysis 215,229 8,311 11,401 234,941   118,229 74,456 2,290 194,975 429,916
  - Not past due 212,492 7,993 10,388 230,873   114,895 74,257 2,275 191,427 422,300
  - Past due 1-30 days 1,510 71 92 1,673   2,261 137 - 2,398 4,071
  - Past due 31-90 days 469 86 130 685   274 8 - 282 967
  - Past due 91-180 days 275 62 104 441   110 6 - 116 557
  - Past due >180 days 483 99 687 1,269   689 48 15 752 2,021
Loans - Stage 2 15,951 2,081 1,468 19,500   18,460 356 266 19,082 38,582
  - Not past due 14,521 1,979 1,335 17,835   17,605 343 266 18,214 36,049
  - Past due 1-30 days 1,138 41 48 1,227   610 5 - 615 1,842
  - Past due 31-90 days 292 61 85 438   245 8 - 253 691
Weighted average life  
   - ECL measurement (years) 9 4 6 5   7 4 nm 6 6
ECL provisions by geography 272 520 1,088 1,880   1,532 155 18 1,705 3,585
  - UK 270 520 1,088 1,878   1,367 103 5 1,475 3,353
  - Other Europe 2 - - 2   104 10 1 115 117
  - RoW - - - -   61 42 12 115 115

 

nm = not meaningful

 

For the notes to this table refer to the following page.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results34 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Sector analysis – portfolio summary continued

 

  Personal   Non-Personal  
    Credit Other     Corporate and  Financial      
  Mortgages (1) cards personal Total   other institutions (2) Sovereign Total Total
31 December 2025 £m £m £m £m   £m £m £m £m £m
ECL provisions by stage  272 520 1,088 1,880   1,532 155 18 1,705 3,585
  - Stage 1 45 125 172 342   228 37 7 272 614
  - Stage 2 36 205 185 426   360 5 5 370 796
  - Stage 3 191 190 731 1,112   944 113 6 1,063 2,175
  - Of which: individual 16 1 12 29   453 110 6 569 598
  - Of which: collective 175 189 719 1,083   491 3 - 494 1,577
ECL provisions coverage (%) 0.13 6.26 9.54 0.80   1.30 0.21 0.79 0.87 0.83
  - Stage 1 (%) 0.02 2.09 1.92 0.16   0.23 0.05 0.35 0.16 0.16
  - Stage 2 (%) 0.23 9.85 12.60 2.18   1.95 1.40 1.88 1.94 2.06
  - Stage 3 (%) 14.26 78.51 76.46 43.83   47.44 80.14 40.00 49.53 46.44
Loans by residual maturity 215,229 8,311 11,401 234,941   118,229 74,456 2,290 194,975 429,916
 - ≤1 year  2,764 1,856 2,736 7,356   33,768 52,130 1,765 87,663 95,019
 - >1 and ≤5 year 8,332 6,452 6,898 21,682   51,723 18,262 77 70,062 91,744
 - >5 and ≤15 year 42,759 3 1,772 44,534   24,136 4,016 290 28,442 72,976
 - >15 year 161,374 - (5) 161,369   8,602 48 158 8,808 170,177
Other financial assets by asset quality (3) - - - -   4,513 28,490 129,532 162,535 162,535
  - AQ1-AQ4 - - - -   4,506 28,301 129,532 162,339 162,339
  - AQ5-AQ8 - - - -   7 189 - 196 196
Off-balance sheet 14,799 22,696 7,550 45,045   78,604 23,031 501 102,136 147,181
  - Loan commitments 14,799 22,696 7,514 45,009   75,723 21,555 501 97,779 142,788
  - Contingent liabilities - - 36 36   2,881 1,476 - 4,357 4,393
Off-balance sheet by asset quality (3) 14,799 22,696 7,550 45,045   78,604 23,031 501 102,136 147,181
  - AQ1-AQ4 13,926 415 6,140 20,481   50,709 21,030 114 71,853 92,334
  - AQ5-AQ8 859 22,205 1,283 24,347   27,525 1,924 12 29,461 53,808
  - AQ9  4 11 12 27   61 - 375 436 463
  - AQ10 10 65 115 190   309 77 - 386 576

 

(1)Includes a portion of Private Banking & Wealth Management lending secured against residential real estate, in line with ECL calculation methodology. Private Banking & Wealth Management and RBS International mortgages are reported in UK, reflecting the country of lending origination and includes crown dependencies.

(2)Included within financial institutions is funds lending of £21.0 billion, including £16.7 billion subscription lines financing and £4.3 billion net asset value financing, and £11.5 billion of securitisation classified as private credit securitisation. Private credit securitisation is defined as senior securitisation financing secured on diversified portfolios of private loans to corporates.

(3)AQ bandings are based on Basel PDs and mapping is as follows:

 

Internal asset quality band Probability of default range Indicative S&P rating   Internal asset quality band Probability of default range Indicative S&P rating
AQ1 0% - 0.034% AAA to AA   AQ6 1.076% - 2.153% BB- to B+
AQ2 0.034% - 0.048% AA to AA-   AQ7 2.153% - 6.089% B+ to B
AQ3 0.048% - 0.095% A+ to A   AQ8 6.089% - 17.222% B- to CCC+
AQ4 0.095% - 0.381% BBB+ to BBB-   AQ9 17.222% - 100% CCC to C
AQ5 0.381% - 1.076% BB+ to BB   AQ10 100% D

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results35 

 

 

Capital and risk management continued

 

Credit risk continued

 

Sector analysis – portfolio summary continued

 

The table below shows ECL by stage, for the Personal portfolio and Non-Personal portfolio, including the three largest borrowing sector clusters included in corporate and other.

 

  Loans - amortised cost and FVOCI   Off-balance sheet    ECL provisions
      Loan Contingent    
  Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total   commitments liabilities   Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total
31 March 2026 £m £m £m £m   £m £m   £m £m £m £m
Personal 215,614 19,884 2,736 238,234   46,837 35   338 468 1,188 1,994
Mortgages (1) 200,921 16,141 1,454 218,516   16,216 -   50 37 194 281
Credit cards 5,705 2,176 273 8,154   23,157 -   120 224 220 564
Other personal 8,988 1,567 1,009 11,564   7,464 35   168 207 774 1,149
Non-Personal 182,046 21,981 2,118 206,145   97,251 4,553   307 386 1,056 1,749
Financial institutions (2) 83,590 335 143 84,068   22,370 1,559   33 7 109 149
Sovereign 1,074 276 15 1,365   409 -   7 5 7 19
Corporate and other 97,382 21,370 1,960 120,712   74,472 2,994   267 374 940 1,581
Of which:  
Commercial real estate 18,586 1,169 259 20,014   5,724 134   67 19 106 192
Mobility and logistics 12,864 4,713 84 17,661   10,472 548   25 48 40 113
Consumer industries 12,364 3,421 395 16,180   11,004 512   37 72 181 290
Total 397,660 41,865 4,854 444,379   144,088 4,588   645 854 2,244 3,743

 

31 December 2025                        
Personal 212,904 19,500 2,537 234,941   45,009 36   342 426 1,112 1,880
Mortgages (1) 197,939 15,951 1,339 215,229   14,799 -   45 36 191 272
Credit cards 5,988 2,081 242 8,311   22,696 -   125 205 190 520
Other personal 8,977 1,468 956 11,401   7,514 36   172 185 731 1,088
Non-Personal 173,747 19,082 2,146 194,975   97,779 4,357   272 370 1,063 1,705
Financial institutions (2) 73,959 356 141 74,456   21,555 1,476   37 5 113 155
Sovereign 2,009 266 15 2,290   501 -   7 5 6 18
Corporate and other 97,779 18,460 1,990 118,229   75,723 2,881   228 360 944 1,532
Of which:  
Commercial real estate 17,838 1,272 294 19,404   6,646 162   55 22 120 197
Mobility and logistics 13,021 4,312 81 17,414   10,194 520   24 45 40 109
Consumer industries 12,875 2,912 389 16,176   11,149 496   33 68 199 300
Total 386,651 38,582 4,683 429,916   142,788 4,393   614 796 2,175 3,585

 

(1)As at 31 March 2026, £145.8 billion, 66.7%, of the total residential mortgages portfolio had Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data available (31 December 2025 - £144.2 billion, 67%). Of which, 49.5% were rated as EPC A to C (31 December 2025 - 48.8%).

(2)Includes transactions, such as securitisations, where the underlying risk may be in other sectors.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results36 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed consolidated income statement

 

for the period ended 31 March 2026 (unaudited)

 

   Quarter ended 
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
   £m   £m   £m 
Interest receivable 6,421 6,543 6,315
Interest payable (3,027) (3,102) (3,289)
Net interest income 3,394 3,441 3,026
Fees and commissions receivable 832 835 802
Fees and commissions payable (200) (181) (189)
Trading income 153 138 284
Other operating income 179 91 57
Non-interest income 964 883 954
Total income 4,358 4,324 3,980
Staff costs (1,086) (981) (1,069)
Premises and equipment (312) (385) (294)
Other administrative expenses (364) (583) (350)
Depreciation and amortisation (280) (299) (266)
Operating expenses (2,042) (2,248) (1,979)
Profit before impairment losses 2,316 2,076 2,001
Impairment losses (283) (136) (189)
Operating profit before tax 2,033                   1,940                   1,812
Tax charge (526)                     (462)                     (471)
Profit for the period 1,507                   1,478                   1,341
       
Attributable to:      
Ordinary shareholders 1,432 1,393 1,252
Paid-in equity holders 73 84 90
Non-controlling interests 2 1 (1)
  1,507 1,478 1,341
       
       
Earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - basic  17.9p 17.4p 15.5p
Earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - diluted 17.8p 17.2p 15.4p

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results37 

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 

for the period ended 31 March 2026 (unaudited)

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Profit for the period 1,507 1,478 1,341
Items that do not qualify for reclassification      
Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes 5 11 6
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) due to changes in credit risk 17 (6) 4
FVOCI financial assets 2 (14) 14
Tax 2 (6) 2
  26 (15) 26
Items that do qualify for reclassification      
FVOCI financial assets 32 66 34
Cash flow hedges (1) (168) 190 183
Currency translation (87) 5 (30)
Tax 32 (73) (62)
  (191) 188 125
Other comprehensive (loss)/income after tax (165) 173 151
Total comprehensive income for the period 1,342 1,651 1,492
       
Attributable to:      
Ordinary shareholders 1,267 1,566 1,403
Paid-in equity holders 73 84 90
Non-controlling interests 2 1 (1)
  1,342 1,651 1,492

 

(1) Refer to footnote 3 and 4 of the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results38 

 

 

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

 

as at 31 March 2026 (unaudited)

 

  31 March 31 December
  2026 2025
  £m  £m 
Assets    
Cash and balances at central banks 78,966 85,182
Trading assets 56,817 46,537
Derivatives 66,408 60,789
Settlement balances 8,148 645
Loans to banks - amortised cost 8,522 6,958
Loans to customers - amortised cost 431,563 418,881
Other financial assets 83,482 79,770
Intangible assets 7,224 7,292
Other assets 8,511 8,499
Total assets 749,641 714,553
     
Liabilities    
Bank deposits 48,153 44,092
Customer deposits 445,461 442,998
Settlement balances 9,941 942
Trading liabilities 58,945 49,022
Derivatives 59,471 53,974
Other financial liabilities 70,214 67,599
Subordinated liabilities 6,642 6,123
Notes in circulation 3,113 3,164
Other liabilities 4,030 4,026
Total liabilities 705,970 671,940
     
Equity    
Ordinary shareholders' interests 39,084 38,028
Other owners' interests 4,571 4,571
Owners' equity 43,655 42,599
Non-controlling interests 16 14
Total equity 43,671 42,613
     
Total liabilities and equity 749,641 714,553

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results39 

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 

for the period ended 31 March 2026 (unaudited)

 

  Share    Other   Other reserves Total Non  
  capital and Paid-in statutory Retained   Cash flow Foreign   owners' controlling Total 
  share premium equity reserves (2) earnings Fair value hedging (3,4) exchange Merger equity  interests equity
  £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
At 1 January 2026 10,021 4,571 2,613 14,419 13 (752) 833 10,881 42,599 14 42,613
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders                      
   and other equity owners       1,505         1,505 2 1,507
                       
Other comprehensive income                      
Realised gains on FVOCI equity shares         (12)       (12)   (12)
Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes       5         5   5
Changes in fair value of credit in financial liabilities                      
   designated at FVTPL due to own credit risk       17         17   17
Unrealised gains         46       46   46
Amounts recognised in equity           (260)     (260)   (260)
Retranslation of net assets             3   3   3
Losses on hedges of net assets             3   3   3
Reclassification of OCI to Income statement           92 (93)   (1)   (1)
Tax       (2) (6) 42 -   34   34
Total comprehensive income       1,525 28 (126) (87) - 1,340 2 1,342
                       
Transactions with owners                      
Paid-in equity dividends paid       (73)         (73)   (73)
Shares repurchased (1) (54)   54 (313)         (313)   (313)
Employee share schemes       17         17   17
Shares vested under employee share schemes     70           70   70
Share-based remuneration       15         15   15
At 31 March 2026 9,967 4,571 2,737 15,590 41 (878) 746 10,881 43,655 16 43,671

 

(1)As part of the On Market Share Buyback Programmes NatWest Group plc repurchased and cancelled 51 million shares, of which 0.6 million shares were repurchased in March 2026 and were settled and cancelled in April 2026. The total consideration for these shares, excluding fees, was £313.7 million, of which £3.2 million was related to shares repurchased in March 2026, which were settled and cancelled in April 2026. The nominal value of the shares cancelled was transferred to the capital redemption reserve.
(2)Other statutory reserves consist of Capital redemption reserves of £3,384 million and Own shares held reserves of £(647) million.
(3)The change in the cash flow hedging reserve is driven by an increase in swap rates in the year, where the portfolio of swaps is net receive fixed from an interest rate risk perspective. This is offset by realised accrued interest transferred into the income statement.
(4)The amount transferred from equity to the income statement is mostly recorded within net interest income mainly within loans to banks and customers – amortised cost, balances at central banks, bank deposits and customer deposits.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results40 

 

 

Notes

 

1. Presentation of condensed consolidated financial statements

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with NatWest Group plc’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F. The accounting policies are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

 

The Amendments to the Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments (Amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7 - issued May 2024) were adopted on 1 January 2026. The Group has made an accounting policy election to derecognise financial liabilities before the settlement date where they are settled using electronic payment systems that satisfy the specified conditions in IFRS 9. The amendments had no material impact on the financial performance or position of the Group.

 

The directors have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis after assessing the principal risks, forecasts, projections and other relevant evidence over the twelve months from the date they are approved.

 

2. Litigation and regulatory matters

 

NatWest Group plc’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F, issued on 17 February 2026, included disclosures about NatWest Group's litigation and regulatory matters in Note 25. Set out below are the material developments in those matters (all of which matters have been previously disclosed) since publication of the 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Litigation

 

Swaps antitrust litigation

 

NWM Plc and other members of NatWest Group, including NatWest Group plc, as well as a number of other interest rate swap dealers, are defendants in several cases pending in the SDNY alleging violations of US antitrust laws in the market for interest rate swaps. Three swap execution facilities (TeraExchange, Javelin, and trueEx) allege that they would have successfully established exchange-like trading of interest rate swaps if the defendants had not unlawfully conspired to prevent that from happening through boycotts and other means.

 

Discovery is complete though expert discovery is ongoing, and in March 2026, defendants filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the claims, which is pending.

 

Oracle Securities Litigation

 

In January and February 2026, two substantially similar class action complaints were filed in New York state court against Oracle Corporation and the underwriters of a September 2025 bond offering by Oracle, including NWMSI. The complaint alleges that the offering documents for the bonds were materially misleading because they failed to disclose that, at the time of the bond offering, Oracle was already planning to further increase its debt to fund its Artificial Intelligence infrastructure expansion. On 4 March 2026, an amended complaint consolidated both actions into one.

 

 

The consolidated amended complaint seeks damages under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the ‘Securities Act’), as amended, on behalf of those who purchased Oracle’s bonds. In connection with the bond offering, Oracle agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain potential liabilities, including disclosure-based liability under the Securities Act. Defendants (including NWMSI) anticipate filing a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint.

 

Regulatory matters

 

US investigations relating to fixed-income securities

 

In December 2021, NWM Plc pled guilty in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud in connection with historical spoofing conduct by former employees in US Treasuries markets between January 2008 and May 2014 and, separately, during approximately three months in 2018. The 2018 trading occurred during the term of a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) between NWMSI and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut (USAO CT), under which non-prosecution was conditioned on NWMSI and affiliated companies not engaging in criminal conduct during the term of the NPA. The relevant trading in 2018 was conducted by two NWM Plc traders in Singapore and breached that NPA. The plea agreement reached with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the USAO CT resolved both the spoofing conduct and the breach of the NPA.

 

The DOJ and USAO CT paused the monitorship in May 2025 and, following a review, determined that a monitorship was no longer necessary as a result of NWM Plc’s notable progress in strengthening its compliance programme, certain of NWM Plc’s remedial improvements, internal controls, and the status of implementation of Monitor recommendations, and that reporting by NWM Plc to the DOJ and USAO CT on its continued compliance programme progress provided an appropriate degree of oversight. The court approved the agreement and extended NWM Plc’s obligations under the plea agreement and probation until December 2026.

 

In the event that NWM Plc does not meet its obligations to the DOJ, this may lead to adverse consequences such as increased costs and findings that NWM Plc violated its probation term amongst other consequences. Other material adverse collateral consequences may occur as a result of this matter, as further described in the Risk Factor relating to legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations set out on pages 284 to 286 of the NatWest Group plc 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Other customer remediation in Ulydien (formerly Ulster Bank Ireland DAC)

 

Ulydien identified other legacy issues leading to the establishment of remediation requirements. These remediation activities have now materially concluded.

 

3. Post balance sheet events

 

As part of the ongoing on-market share buyback programme, NatWest Group plc has repurchased and cancelled a further 10.70 million shares since 31 March 2026 for a total consideration (excluding fees) of £63.53 million.

  

Other than as disclosed in this document, there have been no significant events between 31 March 2026 and the date of approval of this announcement which would require a change to, or additional disclosure, in the announcement.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results41 

 

 

Additional information

Other financial data

 

The following table shows NatWest Group’s issued and fully paid share capital, owners’ equity and indebtedness on a consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS as at 31 March 2026.

 

 

As at
31 March

2026

  £m
Share capital - allotted, called up and fully paid  
Ordinary shares of £1.0769 8,806
Retained income and other reserves 34,849
Owners’ equity 43,655
   
NatWest Group indebtedness  
Trading liabilities - debt securities in issue 231
Other financial liabilities – debt securities in issue 67,821
Subordinated liabilities 6,642
Total indebtedness 74,694
Total capitalisation and indebtedness 118,349

 

Under IFRS, certain preference shares are classified as debt and are included in subordinated liabilities in the table above.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results42 

 

 

Non-IFRS financial measures

 

NatWest Group prepares its financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This document contains a number of non-IFRS measures, or alternative performance measures, defined under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidance, or non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. These measures are adjusted for notable and other defined items which management believes are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison.

 

The non-IFRS measures provide users of the financial statements with a consistent basis for comparing business performance between financial periods and information on elements of performance that are one-off in nature. The non-IFRS measures also include the basis of calculation for metrics that are used throughout the banking industry.

 

These non-IFRS measures are not a substitute for IFRS measures and a reconciliation to the closest IFRS measure is presented where appropriate.

 

Measure Description

Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)

 

Refer to table 2. Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) on page 45.

 

The cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) is calculated as other operating expenses (operating expenses less litigation and conduct costs) divided by total income. Litigation and conduct costs are excluded as they are one-off in nature, difficult to forecast for Outlook purposes and distort period-on-period comparisons.

Customer deposits excluding central items

 

Refer to Segment performance on pages 15-17 for components of calculation.

 

Customer deposits excluding central items is calculated as total NatWest Group customer deposits excluding Central items & other customer deposits. Central items & other includes Treasury repo activity. The exclusion of Central items & other removes the volatility relating to Treasury repo activity and the reduction of deposits as part of our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland.

 

These items may distort period-on-period comparisons and their removal gives the user of the financial statements a better understanding of the movements in customer deposits.

 

Funded assets

 

Refer to Condensed consolidated balance sheet on page 39 for components of calculation.

 

Funded assets is calculated as total assets less derivative assets. This measure allows review of balance sheet trends excluding the volatility associated with derivative fair values.\Finance\0000012\Secret

Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos)

 

Refer to table 5. Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) on page 46.

 

Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) is calculated as net loans to customers - amortised cost excluding reverse repos divided by total customer deposits excluding repos. This metric is used to assess liquidity.

 

The removal of repos and reverse repos reduces volatility and presents the ratio on a basis that is comparable to UK peers. The nearest ratio using IFRS measures is loan:deposit ratio, calculated as net loans to customers - amortised cost divided by customer deposits.

 

NatWest Group Return on Tangible Equity

 

Refer to table 7. NatWest Group Return on Tangible Equity on page 47.

 

NatWest Group Return on Tangible Equity comprises annualised profit or loss for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by average tangible equity. Average tangible equity is average total equity excluding average non-controlling interests, average other owners’ equity and average intangible assets. This measure shows the return NatWest Group generates on tangible equity deployed. It is used to determine relative performance of banks and used widely across the sector, although different banks may calculate the rate differently. The nearest ratio using IFRS measures is return on equity, calculated as profit attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by average total equity.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results43 

 

 

Non-IFRS financial measures continued

 

Measure Description

Net interest margin and average interest earning assets

 

Refer to Segment performance on pages 15-17 for components of calculation.

 

Net interest margin is net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets (IEA).

 

Average IEA are average IEA of the banking business of NatWest Group and primarily consists of cash and balances at central banks, loans to banks - amortised cost, loans to customers - amortised cost and other financial assets. It excludes trading balances and assets in treasury repurchase agreements that have not been derecognised. Average IEA shows the average asset base generating interest over the period.

 

Net loans to customers excluding central items

 

Refer to Segment performance on pages 15-17 for components of calculation.

 

Net loans to customers excluding central items is calculated as total NatWest Group net loans to customers excluding Central items & other net loans to customers. Central items & other includes Treasury reverse repo activity. The exclusion of Central items & other removes the volatility relating to Treasury reverse repo activity and the reduction of loans to customers as part of our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland.

 

This allows for better period-on-period comparisons and gives the user of the financial statements a better understanding of the movements in net loans to customers.

 

Operating expenses excluding litigation and conduct

 

Refer to table 4. Operating expenses excluding litigation and conduct on page 46.

 

The management analysis of operating expenses shows litigation and conduct costs separately. These amounts are included within staff costs and other administrative expenses in the statutory analysis. Other operating expenses excludes litigation and conduct costs, which are more volatile and may distort period-on-period comparisons.

Segment return on equity

 

Refer to table 8. Segment return on equity on page 47.

 

Segment return on equity comprises segmental operating profit or loss, adjusted for paid-in equity and tax, divided by average notional equity. Average RWAe is defined as average segmental RWAs incorporating the effect of capital deductions. This is multiplied by an allocated equity factor for each segment to calculate the average notional equity. This measure shows the return generated by operating segments on equity deployed.

Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share

 

Refer to table 3. Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share on page 45.

 

TNAV per ordinary share is calculated as tangible equity divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue. This is a measure used by external analysts in valuing the bank and allows for comparison with other per ordinary share metrics including the share price. The nearest ratio using IFRS measures is: net asset value (NAV) per ordinary share - this comprises ordinary shareholders’ interests divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue.

Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL)

 

Refer to table 6. Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL) on page 47.

 

CAL comprises customers deposits and gross loans to customers (amortised cost), across the Retail Banking, Private Banking & Wealth Management and Commercial & Institutional segments. For the Private Banking & Wealth Management segment, CAL also includes AUMA, with an adjustment to deduct investment cash to avoid double counting, as investment cash is recognised within both customer deposits and AUMA.

 

The components of CAL are key drivers of income and provide a measure of growth and strength of the business on a comparable basis.

 

Total income excluding notable items

 

Refer to table 1. Total income excluding notable items on page 45.

 

Total income excluding notable items is calculated as total income less notable items. The exclusion of notable items aims to remove the impact of one-offs and other items which may distort period-on-period comparisons.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results44 

 

 

Non-IFRS financial measures continued

 

1. Total income excluding notable items

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Total income 4,358 4,324 3,980
Less notable items:      
Commercial & Institutional      
   Own credit adjustments 3 (2) 6
   Dividend received on restructuring of a strategic investment - 51 -
Central items & other      
   Share of (losses)/gains of associate - Business Growth Fund (1) 15 15
   Interest and foreign exchange management derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships 38 17 7
   Foreign exchange recycling gains 95 10 -
   Loss on reclassification to disposal groups under IFRS 5 - (39) -
  135 52 28
Total income excluding notable items 4,223 4,272 3,952

 

2. Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Operating expenses 2,042 2,248 1,979
Less litigation and conduct costs (15) (37) (44)
Other operating expenses 2,027 2,211 1,935
       
Total income 4,358 4,324 3,980
       
Cost:income ratio 46.9% 52.0% 49.7%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) 46.5% 51.1% 48.6%

 

3. Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share

  As at
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
Ordinary shareholders' interests (£m) 39,084 38,028 35,562
Less intangible assets (£m) (7,224) (7,292) (7,537)
Tangible equity (£m) 31,860 30,736 28,025
       
Ordinary shares in issue (millions) (1) 7,971 7,995 8,067
       
NAV per ordinary share (pence) 490p 476p 441p
TNAV per ordinary share (pence) 400p 384p 347p

 

(1)     The number of ordinary shares in issue excludes own shares held.

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results45 

 

 

Non-IFRS financial measures continued

 

4. Operating expenses excluding litigation and conduct

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Other operating expenses      
Staff expenses 1,070 966 1,055
Premises and equipment 309 383 294
Other administrative expenses 368 563 320
Depreciation and amortisation 280 299 266
Total other operating expenses 2,027 2,211 1,935
       
Litigation and conduct costs      
Staff expenses 16 15 14
Premises and equipment 3 2 -
Other administrative expenses (4) 20 30
Total litigation and conduct costs 15 37 44
       
Total operating expenses 2,042 2,248 1,979
Operating expenses excluding litigation and conduct 2,027 2,211 1,935

 

5. Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos)

 

  As at
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Loans to customers - amortised cost 431,563 418,881 398,806
Less reverse repos (37,784) (32,817) (30,258)
Loans to customers - amortised cost (excl. reverse repos) 393,779 386,064 368,548
Customer deposits 445,461 442,998 434,617
Less repos (1,474) (1,796) (1,070)
Customer deposits (excl. repos) 443,987 441,202 433,547
Loan:deposit ratio (%) 97% 95% 92%
Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) (%) 89% 88% 85%

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results46 

 

 

Non-IFRS financial measures continued

 

6. Total customer assets and liabilities (CAL)

 

  As at
  31 March 2026    31 December 2025    31 March 2025
       Private Banking          Private Banking          Private Banking    
  Retail & Wealth Commercial     Retail & Wealth Commercial     Retail & Wealth Commercial  
  Banking Management    & Institutional Total   Banking Management    & Institutional Total   Banking Management    & Institutional Total
  £bn £bn £bn £bn   £bn £bn £bn £bn   £bn £bn £bn £bn
Gross loans and advances to customers 221.3 19.1 159.6 400.0   217.9 19.0 155.8 392.7   212.2 18.5 144.6 375.3
Customer deposits 202.2 41.1 201.5 444.8   202.6 42.7 196.4 441.7   195.7 41.2 196.5 433.4
Assets under management and     
   administration (AUMA) - 56.7 - 56.7   - 58.5 - 58.5   - 48.5 - 48.5
Less investment cash included in both     
   customer deposits and AUMA - (1.4) - (1.4)   - (1.2) - (1.2)   - (1.2) - (1.2)
CAL 423.5 115.5 361.1 900.1   420.5 119.0 352.2 891.7   407.9 107.0 341.1 856.0

 

7. NatWest Group Return on Tangible Equity

 

  Quarter ended
  31 March 31 December 31 March
  2026 2025 2025
  £m £m £m
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 1,432 1,393 1,252
Annualised profit attributable to ordinary shareholders  5,728 5,572 5,008
Average total equity  43,216 42,877 40,354
Adjustment for average other owners' equity and intangible assets  (11,760) (12,431) (13,228)
Adjusted total tangible equity 31,456 30,446 27,126
Return on equity 13.3% 13.0% 12.4%
Return on Tangible Equity  18.2% 18.3% 18.5%

 

8. Segment return on equity

 

  Quarter ended 31 March 2026   Quarter ended 31 December 2025   Quarter ended 31 March 2025
       Private Banking          Private Banking         Private Banking  
  Retail & Wealth Commercial   Retail & Wealth Commercial   Retail & Wealth Commercial
  Banking Management    & Institutional   Banking Management & Institutional   Banking Management & Institutional
Operating profit (£m) 781 94 1,030   786 107 1,039   750 77 1,020
Paid-in equity cost allocation (£m) (18) (3) (51)   (24) (4) (56)   (23) (4) (63)
Adjustment for tax (£m) (214) (25) (245)   (213) (29) (246)   (204) (20) (239)
Adjusted attributable profit (£m) 549 66 734   549 74 737   523 53 718
Annualised adjusted attributable profit (£m) 2,197 262 2,937   2,195 297 2,949   2,092 212 2,872
Average RWAe (£bn) 70.4 11.4 113.8   69.7 11.3 109.3   66.9 11.1 106.8
Equity factor  12.7% 10.9% 14.1%   12.8% 11.1% 13.9%   12.8% 11.1% 13.9%
Average notional equity (£bn) 8.9 1.2 16.0   8.9 1.3 15.2   8.6 1.2 14.8
Return on equity 24.6% 21.1% 18.3%   24.6% 23.6% 19.4%   24.5% 17.1% 19.3%

 

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results47 

 

 

Performance measures not defined under IFRS

 

The table below summarises other performance measures used by NatWest Group, not defined under IFRS, and therefore a reconciliation to the nearest IFRS measure is not applicable.

 

Measure Description
AUMA AUMA comprises client assets under management (AUM) and client assets under administration (AUA) serviced through the Private Banking & Wealth Management segment and not recognised on NatWest Group’s balance sheet. AUM comprise assets where the investment management is undertaken by Private Banking & Wealth Management on behalf of customers of the Private Banking & Wealth Management, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional segments. AUA comprises i) third party assets held on an execution-only basis in custody by Private Banking & Wealth Management, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional for their customers, for which the execution services are supported by Private Banking & Wealth Management ii) AUA of Cushon, acquired on 1 June 2023, which are supported by Private Banking & Wealth Management and held and managed by third parties. This measure is tracked and reported as the amount of funds that we manage or administer, and directly impacts the level of investment income that we receive.
AUMA income AUMA income includes investment income earned across NatWest Group (excluding Cushon). Investment income includes ongoing fees as a percentage of assets and fees, charged on a per transaction basis, for advice services, trading and exchange services, protection and alternative investing services. AUMA is a core driver of non-interest income, especially with respect to ongoing investment income and this measure provides a means of reporting the income earned on AUMA.
AUM net flows AUM net flows refers to net client cash inflows and outflows relating to investment products, both discretionary and advisory mandates serviced through the Private Banking & Wealth Management segment. AUM comprises assets where the investment management is undertaken by Private Banking & Wealth Management on behalf of Private Banking & Wealth Management, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional customers.
Capital generation pre-distributions Capital generation pre-distributions refers to the change in the CET1 ratio in the period, before distributions to ordinary shareholders. It reflects the capital generated through business activities and all other movements, including attributable profit for the period, impacts from acquisitions and disposals, and risk-weighted asset (RWA) changes, prior to the deduction of ordinary shareholder distributions such as ordinary dividends and share buybacks. It is used to show the capital generated in the period that is available for deployment in the business and distribution to shareholders.
Climate and transition finance The climate and transition finance target enables NatWest Group to quantify the level of financing and facilitation provided by NatWest Group that could support customers in achieving their climate and/or transition ambitions, through lending and underwriting activities. The climate and transition finance framework, available on the NatWest Group website, underpins the target to provide £200 billion in climate and transition finance between 1 July 2025 and the end of 2030.
Loan impairment rate Loan impairment rate is the annualised loan impairment charge divided by gross customer loans. This measure is used to assess the credit quality of the loan book.
Third party rates Third party customer asset rate is calculated as annualised interest receivable on third-party loans to customers as a percentage of third-party loans to customers. This excludes assets of disposal groups, intragroup items, loans to banks and liquid asset portfolios. Third party customer funding rate reflects interest payable or receivable on third-party customer deposits, including interest bearing and non- interest bearing customer deposits. Intragroup items, bank deposits, debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities are excluded for customer funding rate calculation.
Wholesale funding Wholesale funding comprises deposits by banks (excluding repos), debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities. Funding risk is the risk of not maintaining a diversified, stable and cost-effective funding base. The disclosure of wholesale funding highlights the extent of our diversification and how we mitigate funding risk.

 

Legal Entity Identifier: 2138005O9XJIJN4JPN90

 

NatWest Group - Form 6-K Q1 2026 Results48 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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 authorised.

 

 

 

NatWest Group plc

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Katie Murray

Group Chief Financial Officer

1 May 2026

 

 

FAQ

How did NatWest Group (NWG) perform financially in Q1 2026?

NatWest Group reported total income of £4.36 billion in Q1 2026, up 9.5% year-on-year, and operating profit before tax of £2.03 billion, up 12.2%. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders was £1.43 billion, with basic earnings per share of 17.9 pence.

What were NatWest Group (NWG)’s returns on equity in Q1 2026?

In Q1 2026, NatWest Group achieved a Return on Equity of 13.3% and a Return on Tangible Equity of 18.2%. These levels reflect strong profitability relative to the capital base and continued focus on efficient use of equity across its lending and deposit franchises.

How strong are NatWest Group (NWG)’s capital and liquidity positions?

NatWest Group reported a CET1 ratio of 14.3% at 31 March 2026, up 30 basis points from year-end 2025, on £196.0 billion of RWAs. Liquidity metrics were also strong, with an average Liquidity Coverage Ratio of 144% and Net Stable Funding Ratio of 134%.

What guidance did NatWest Group (NWG) provide for 2026 income?

Based on updated views of interest rates and economic conditions, NatWest now expects 2026 income excluding notable items to be at the top end of its £17.2–17.6 billion range. Other outlook elements from the full-year 2025 results were reaffirmed in this update.

How did NatWest Group’s loans and deposits change in Q1 2026?

Net loans to customers increased to £431.6 billion, up 3.0% from 31 December 2025 and 8.2% year-on-year. Customer deposits rose to £445.5 billion, a 0.6% increase quarter-on-quarter and 2.5% higher than at 31 March 2025, reflecting broad-based franchise growth.

What happened to NatWest Group’s credit impairments in Q1 2026?

Impairment losses were £283 million in Q1 2026, compared with £136 million in Q4 2025 and £189 million a year earlier. The group loan impairment rate rose to 26 basis points, from 13 basis points in Q4 2025, but remains relatively low overall.

How did NatWest Group’s main business segments perform in Q1 2026?

Retail Banking generated operating profit of £781 million with RoE of 24.6%. Private Banking & Wealth Management delivered £94 million operating profit and RoE of 21.1%. Commercial & Institutional reported £1,030 million operating profit and a 18.3% RoE, underlining broad-based strength.