RBS

The FSA has cleared RBS of acting fraudulently during the purchase of ABN AMRO, but censured it for making a "series of bad decisions" in the run up to the financial crisis.

Aberdeen Asset Management has effectively ruled itself out of bidding for rival Gartmore, opting instead for organic growth.

The FTSE is slightly down in early trading, with RBS hit by fears it may be exposed to Ireland's economic problems.

The manager of the Murray Income trust is preparing to buy into non-UK assets after shareholders voted to diversify away from concentrated UK sectors earlier this year.

UK banks are borrowing billions of pounds each month and may be forced to seek yet more support from the government, an economic think-tank warns.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has emerged as a possible bidder for the Royal Bank of Scotland's Direct Line insurance business.

UK INCOME

The FSA has launched a probe into sales of an AIG bond fund product by RBS' private banking arm Coutts.

The FTSE 100 opened in positive territory as strong results from majority-nationalised bank RBS crowned off a largely impressive results week for the UK banking sector.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group reported a small £9m net profit over the first half of the year, after recording a £1.14bn pre-tax profit in the six-month period.