THE Government is reported to have put together plans to launch a 316-strong branch portfolio owned by Royal Bank of Scotland as a standalone state-owned small business lender.
Last month Spanish-owned Santander pulled out of a deal to buy the business, complaining of the expense and delays of transferring the operation.
This has left Edinburgh-based RBS at risk of missing a 2013 deadline to sell the portfolio, which was agreed with the European Commission.
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