RBS shares up on FTSE 100 while rivals fall

RBS may be benefitting from the efforts of its Chief Executive, Stephen Hester, who in recent days is reported to have been visiting various City institutions and playing up the prospects of his bank, which is currently 84 per cent owned by the taxpayer following the financial crisis.

If true Mr Hester’s efforts may have encouraged investors considering RBS shares to make a purchase, sending share prices up. Like his counterparts in Britain’s other “top four” banks, Mr Hester did not pocket for 2009.

Today on the FTSE 100 RBS shares were up 1.80 per cent by 13:26 to 43.25 pence per share. Meanwhile RBS’ main rivals fell, with Lloyds Banking Group shares dropping 0.84 per cent to 57.98 pence per share, Barclays falling 0.57 per cent to 349.85 pence per share and HSBC down 0.03 per cent to 683.80 pence per share.