RBS reports 27 billion Euros loss, largest fall of an UK bank ever

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced on Thursday a net loss of 24.1 billion pounds sterling (27 billion Euros), the largest loss ever recorded by a British company. In 2007, the bank had a 6.8 billion Euros profit after taxes.

Most of the loss came from the depreciation of the assets bought from the uninspired takeover of ABN Amro, in 2007.

RBS, now mostly owned by the UK government, confirmed its intention to sell most of its assets and focus on the operations on its home-market.

The British state, currently holding 70% of the bank’s, will supplement the capital issuing 13 billion Euros worth of special shares, which will not increase the state’s participation.