Asset sale hopes boost RBS

1st Feb 2010 13:34

Shares in RBS jumped on Monday amid hopes that asset sales will help the bank exit government ownership.Reports over the weekend said US investment bank JP Morgan is not going to buy all of RBS's joint venture RBS Sempra Commodities, with the business likely to be divided into different units.However, investors' hopes were lifted by talk RBS has received strong interest for branches it is seeking to offload and its global merchant services unit.RBS is also considering selling its headquarters in Gogarburn outside Edinburgh as part of a review of its property portfolio. The bank is also reviewing its London properties.RBS is currently 84%-owned by the government.