RBS faces criminal probe over business lending

The Royal Bank of Scotland is facing a criminal investigation over allegations the bank forced small businesses into default, according to reports.

RBS was accused of pushing struggling firms into its Global Restructuring Group (GRG), in order to seize control of its assets, in a damning report by government adviser Lawrence Tomlinson on Monday. Now it is understood the Serious Fraud Office is considering whether enough evidence exists for a criminal investigation. The Financial Times said the SFO has conducted interviews with former executives of UK businesses affected by RBS's Global Restructuring Group. Customers are understood to have complained GRG had suddenly altered the valuations of the property, as well as misselling...