1054 GMT - NatWest's CEO Paul Thwaite is confident that the bank can grow the business organically, he says in a call with reporters after its fourth quarter results when asked about M&A opportunities. NatWest last year held early-stage talks with Santander, which is reportedly looking to exit the U.K. retail market, according to the Financial Times, but the Spanish bank has said Santander UK isn't for sale. "In respect of acquisitions, it is a very high bar. Any acquisition needs to be financially compelling for shareholders, but it also needs to be strategically compelling and aligned with the strategy that I set out last February," Thwaite says. This was the case for the Sainsbury's Bank and Metro Bank mortgages deals, he says. The CEO adds that he wouldn't comment on speculation. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 14, 2025 05:55 ET (10:55 GMT)
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