NatWest Returns to Private Ownership as U.K. Government Completes Exit
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 30 2025
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Should l Buy NWG?
Source: WSJ
U.K. Government's Exit from NatWest: The U.K. has completely divested its stake in NatWest, marking the end of government involvement in the bank since the 2008-09 financial crisis.
European Trend in Bank Holdings: This move aligns with a broader trend across Europe where governments are selling off shares in banks that were previously bailed out during the global financial crisis.
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Analyst Views on NWG
About NWG
NatWest Group plc is a United Kingdom-based banking company. The Company serves customers in England and Wales, supporting them with their personal, private, and business banking needs. It also offers businesses specialist sector knowledge in areas such as sustainable energy, commercial property and technology, as well as access to specialist entrepreneurial support. Its segments include Retail Banking, Private Banking, Commercial & Institutional, and Central items & other. The Retail Banking segment serves personal customers in the United Kingdom, including Ulster Bank customers in Northern Ireland. The Private Banking segment serves United Kingdom-connected high-net-worth individuals and their business interests. The Commercial & Institutional segment consists of customer businesses reported under business banking, commercial mid-market and corporate & institutions, supporting its customers across the full non-personal customer lifecycle, both domestically and internationally.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Financial Metrics Insight: Evelyn Partners generated a full-year EBITDA of £179 million for 2025, valuing the transaction at a 9.7x EV/EBITDA multiple, indicating strong profitability and market positioning.
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- Synergies and Cost Savings: The acquisition is projected to generate annual run-rate cost synergies of £100 million, approximately 10% of combined PBWM costs, with implementation costs around £150 million, demonstrating the financial viability of the deal.
- Shareholder Buyback Plan: NatWest announced a £750 million share buyback program, expected to commence after the release of first-half 2027 results, while maintaining an ordinary dividend payout ratio of about 50%, aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
See More
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See More
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- Service Digitization Enhancement: The collaboration will integrate NatWest's Mortgage in Principle service with Rightmove's existing affordability tools, aiming to accelerate and digitize the UK home-moving process, making the search experience more efficient for buyers.
- Customer Support Mechanism: Users applying through Rightmove will receive NatWest's digital mortgage decisions in principle, with eligible customers potentially receiving a full mortgage offer within 24 hours of applying online, ensuring timely financial support for homebuyers.
- Market Positioning and Commitment: As the UK's third-largest mortgage lender, NatWest is committed to assisting first-time buyers through initiatives like the Family Backed Mortgage and Shared Ownership Mortgage, with plans to lend £10 billion to first-time buyers by 2026, further enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
See More
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- Bid Scale: Both banks are offering over £2 billion for a firm that manages approximately £65 billion in assets, which would significantly enhance their market position if successful.
- Potential Competitors: Although the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is speculated to be linked to the auction, it remains unclear whether they will submit a bid, adding uncertainty to the competitive landscape.
- Shareholder Background: Evelyn Partners is owned by private equity firms Permira and Warburg Pincus, and this acquisition could impact their future strategic direction and investment decisions.
See More
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- Buyback Completion: The bank has completed a buyback of 71.1 million shares, representing 0.88% of its share capital for £374.29 million, demonstrating proactive capital management efforts.
- Slight Fair Value Increase: The fair value for NatWest has been modestly adjusted from 6.60x to 6.63x, reflecting a slight enhancement in market recognition of its intrinsic value, even as the discount rate has increased to 8.45%.
- Analyst Target Upgrades: Analysts from Citi, JPMorgan, and RBC have raised their price targets for NatWest, reflecting growing recognition of its long-term earnings power, although some maintain neutral ratings to address potential risks.
See More
