Nationwide joins hunt for RBS branches

Nationwide is considering making a bid for the 316 bank branches that Royal Bank of Scotland has been forced to sell, according to reports.

Britain's biggest building society is eyeing up the branches after a planned £1.6bn sale to Spanish giant Santander collapsed two weeks ago. RBS has to dispose of the branches by the end of 2014 or else face a fine from European regulators who ordered the sale because of the state-support the bank receives. RBS is understood to be keen too avoid a sale but has been left with little option but to adhere, with the Government - which owns 83% of the lender - eager for more competition on the high street. Other groups have also expressed an interest in the branches, including Richard B...