“The results we are posting today show the steady progress we are making as we take the steps to be a much simpler, smaller and fairer bank. These results show that underneath all the noise and huge restructuring of recent years, RBS is a fundamentally stronger bank that can deliver good results for customers and shareholders.
“There is progress on all of our key priorities - capital is stronger, costs are lower and customer activity is gradually improving - although we have only just started with our programme to make it easier for customers to do more business with us.
“But let me sound a note of caution. We are actively managing down a slate of significant legacy issues. This includes significant conduct and litigation issues that will likely hit our profits going forward. I am pleased we have had two good quarters, but no one should get ahead of themselves here - there are bumps in the road ahead of us.
“Today’s results are pleasing but no one at this bank is complacent about the challenges ahead.”
Ross McEwan, Chief Executive
Find out more
See our Results Centre for more information on the Preliminary Interim Results 2014.
Wires call replay
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Press call replay
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Transcript
Press call transcript (PDF197KB)
Notes:
(1) Operating profit before tax, own credit adjustments, gain on redemption of own debt, strategic disposals, write-down of goodwill and RFS Holdings minority interest (‘operating profit’). Statutory operating profit before tax is expected to be £2,652 million for the half year ended 30 June 2014.