<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001654954-23-013440.txt : 20231027
<SEC-HEADER>0001654954-23-013440.hdr.sgml : 20231027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20231027061826
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001654954-23-013440
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20231027
FILED AS OF DATE:		20231027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20231027

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NatWest Group plc
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000844150
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMERCIAL BANKS, NEC [6029]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			X0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10306
		FILM NUMBER:		231351877

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GOGARBURN
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1000
		CITY:			EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			EH12 1HQ
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441315568555

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GOGARBURN
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1000
		CITY:			EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			EH12 1HQ

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950712
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>6-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a5312r.htm
<DESCRIPTION>KEY FINDINGS FROM PHASE 1 OF TRAVERS SMITH REVIEW
<TEXT>
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<font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">CORPORATE</font></div>
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FORM 6-K</font></div>
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<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>
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<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
Washington D.C. 20549</font></div>
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<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
Report of Foreign Private Issuer</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">For
October 27, 2023</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Commission
File Number: 001-10306</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NatWest
Group plc</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Gogarburn,
PO Box 1000</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Edinburgh
EH12 1HQ</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">(Address
of principal executive offices)</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;Form
20-F <font style="text-decoration: underline">X</font> Form 40-F
___</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information
to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Yes ___
No <font style="text-decoration: underline">X</font></font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
________</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px"><font style="font-size: 13px">
The following information was issued as&#xA0;Company announcements
in London, England and is furnished pursuant to General Instruction
B to the General Instructions to Form
6-K:</font>&#xA0;</font></div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px"><font style="color: #42145F">
NatWest Group plc</font></font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">27
October 2023</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
Key findings from Phase 1 of Travers Smith review</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NatWest
Group has today published the key findings and recommendations from
Phase I of the Travers Smith independent review - commissioned by
the Board in July - covering the decision to close the Coutts
accounts of Mr Farage (Review 1) and the circumstances surrounding
a potential breach of confidentiality relating to his customer
information (Review 2).</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">The key
findings and recommendations report ("the report") published today
was compiled by Travers Smith. It is compliant with NatWest Group's
legal obligations, including customer confidentiality and data
protection laws. The report confirms that the exit decision was
lawful and was made in accordance with the relevant bank policies
and processes, but also identifies a number of shortcomings in how
the decision was reached, how the bank communicated with Mr Farage
and how it treated his confidential information.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NatWest
Group has accepted - and will implement - all of the
recommendations made by Travers Smith. Alongside the report, the
bank will make a number of other changes to its policies and
procedures designed to deliver better outcomes for its customers
and to ensure that the lawfully protected beliefs or opinions of
customers do not play any role in exit, retention or onboarding
decisions.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">The
Board is considering these findings and deciding on appropriate
outcomes. As we would with any other employee, we have a duty of
confidentiality to Dame Alison Rose. However, given her role as the
former CEO of NatWest Group, there is a disclosure obligation in
relation to her remuneration. The bank will disclose the relevant
outcomes, as soon as possible.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Separately,
the Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed that it is conducting
supervisory work, covering both NatWest Group and Coutts, into how
the firms' governance, systems and controls are working, to
identify and address any significant shortcomings.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Commenting
on NatWest Group's response to the report, NatWest Group Chairman,
Sir Howard Davies, said:</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">"This
report sets out a number of serious failings in the treatment of Mr
Farage. Although Travers Smith confirm the lawful basis for the
exit decision, the findings set out clear shortcomings in how it
was reached as well as failures in how we communicated with him and
in relation to client confidentiality. We apologise once again to
Mr Farage for how he has been treated. His experience fell short of
the standards that any customer should expect.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">"Our
job now is to make sure that does not happen again. The bank is
committed to implementing all the recommendations made by Travers
Smith and we are making substantive changes to our policies and
procedures, in particular to ensure that the lawfully protected
beliefs or opinions of customers do not play any role in our
decision making.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">"The
Board is considering the findings and deciding on the appropriate
outcomes on other matters. It is important we have regard to all
necessary processes and due consideration of issues including the
bank's obligations around privacy and
confidentiality."&#xA0;</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px"><font style="font-size: 13px">
The</font><font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman">&#xA0;</font><font style="text-decoration: underline; color: #0000FF">report</font><font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman">&#xA0;</font>sets
out Travers Smith's key findings and recommendations in full. These
findings relate to the facts, and compliance with laws and
regulations by the NatWest Group (and not any
individuals).</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">In
summary, they include:</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Review
1 - External review of the decision to close the accounts of Mr
Farage</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
The exit decision was taken at a Wealth Reputational Risk Committee
meeting in November 2022. The former NatWest Group CEO, Alison
Rose, played no part in that decision.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
The exit decision was lawful. It did not amount to a direct or
indirect breach of applicable laws and was made in accordance with
the relevant bank policies and processes.&#xA0;</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
On balance, the exit decision was predominantly a commercial
decision. Coutts considered its relationship with Mr Farage to be
commercially unviable because it was significantly
loss-making.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
The Coutts Eligibility Criteria were not a relevant factor in the
exit decision.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
There were other factors considered as part of the decision-making
process. Foremost among those other factors was the risk Coutts
perceived to its reputation in the eyes of its stakeholders. But
these were not, in Travers Smith's view, factors that drove the
exit decision.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Mr Farage's public statements on various issues were not a
determining factor in the exit decision. Rather, Travers Smith
consider them to have supported the decision.&#xA0;</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Coutts had a contractual right to close Mr Farage's account and the
decision was made in accordance with relevant bank policies and
processes.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
The way the exit decision was communicated to Mr Farage was not in
accordance with the bank's policies and processes, in particular
giving reasons to customers in non-financial crime exits. No
adequate reasons were given.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Coutts did not comply with the FCA's Dispute Resolution: Complaints
sourcebook, in part because no complaint was logged for several
months after it was made.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
The decision taken in May 2022 to continue to classify Mr Farage as
a PEP was incorrect. However, if he was to have been declassified
as a PEP, he would have been re-categorised as a non-PEP with a
risk profile of "high", with broadly the same screening
requirements.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Review
2 - Review the circumstances surrounding the BBC article and if any
leak of confidential customer information or breach of GDPR
occurred.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Confidential customer information concerning Mr Farage was
conveyed, whether expressly or impliedly, from Alison Rose to the
BBC on 3 July 2023 and / or 4 July 2023.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Her disclosures probably amounted to a Personal Data Breach for the
purposes of GDPR. They might also amount to a regulatory breach by
members of the NatWest Group, but this is a matter for the
regulator to decide.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
At the time of her disclosures to the BBC, Alison Rose had not seen
the contents of the first data subject access request provided to
the client in July 2023.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Whilst Travers Smith made certain observations about the risks she
should have appreciated in making the disclosures to the BBC, their
opinion is that, in doing so, she did not consciously set out
inappropriately to disclose the relevant
information.&#xA0;</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
There was no leak of Mr Farage's specific detailed financial
information (such as account balances).&#xA0;</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
There was no evidence of any other relevant leaks of customer
confidential information from NatWest Group.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
NatWest Group's response to the possibility that confidential
information had left the organisation did not breach any relevant
regulatory obligations.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Additional
conclusions</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Coutts failed to pay due regard to the interests of Mr Farage and
failed to treat him fairly in the round because of the failings
across Coutts and NatWest Group set out in Travers Smith's two
reports. This might also amount to a regulatory breach, but is a
matter for the relevant regulator to decide.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">In
light of both the recommendations made by Travers Smith and its own
internal work, NatWest Group is taking a number of steps to deliver
better outcomes for customers across the bank. These
include:</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Taking immediate steps to ensure that the lawfully protected
beliefs or opinions of customers do not play any role in exit,
retention or onboarding decisions. This includes a review of how
reputational risks are considered and the role of reputational risk
committees within this process.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
A wider review of how exit decisions are made and communicated
across the Group. This includes greater consistency in providing
customers with a reason for exit where appropriate and formalising
a process to consider the offer of alternative banking arrangements
elsewhere in the Group where a client is exited for commercial
reasons.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
In appropriate circumstances, ensuring conversations take place
with Coutts clients when exit decisions are being considered for
commercial reasons so that clients are given the opportunity to
increase their business with the bank.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Undertaking more regular reviews of PEP status to ensure that
individuals are classified as PEPs only where it is necessary to do
so and for no longer than necessary.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#x25CF;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;
Enhanced training and guidance for staff in relation to exit
decisions, complaint handling, client confidentiality and banking
secrecy, as well as formalising the process for leak
enquiries.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">In
completing Phase I, Travers Smith requested, and were granted,
access to approximately 3.7 million documents, including emails and
other communications, and conducted 43 interviews with 28 current
and former members of staff from NatWest Group.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Phase
II of the Review, covering a wider sample of Coutts' account
closures of the last 24 months, is ongoing and the findings are due
to be received by the Board later this year. A report summarising
the key findings and recommendations, along with any additional
actions to be taken by the bank will be published in due
course.</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">For
more information, please contact:</font></div>
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NatWest
Group Investor Relations</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Alexander
Holcroft</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Head of
Investor Relations</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">+44 20
7672 1758</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NatWest
Group<font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman">&#xA0;</font><font style="color: #000000">Media
Relations</font><font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman">&#xA0;</font></font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
+44(0)131 523 4205</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px"><font style="color: #000000">
Legal Entity Identifier:&#xA0;</font><font style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman">&#xA0;</font><font style="color: #000000">2138005O9XJIJN4JPN90</font></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px">
&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">
Forward-looking statements</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">This
document may include forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, such as statements that include, without limitation, the
words 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'commit',
'believe', 'should', 'intend', 'will', 'plan', 'could',
'probability', 'risk', 'Value-at-Risk (VaR)', 'target', 'goal',
'objective', 'may', 'endeavour', 'outlook', 'optimistic',
'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on these
expressions. These statements concern or may affect future matters,
such as the implementation of the recommendations included in the
Travers Smith review (including any changes to NatWest Group's
policies and procedures), NatWest Group's future economic results,
business plans and strategies.&#xA0; In particular, this document
may include forward-looking statements relating to NatWest Group
plc in respect of, but not limited to: its economic and political
risks, its regulatory capital position and related requirements,
its financial position, profitability and financial performance
(including financial, capital, cost savings and operational
targets), the implementation of its purpose-led strategy, its
environmental, social and governance and climate related targets,
its access to adequate sources of liquidity and funding, increasing
competition from new incumbents and disruptive technologies, its
exposure to third party risks, its ongoing compliance with the UK
ring-fencing regime and ensuring operational continuity in
resolution, its impairment losses and credit exposures under
certain specified scenarios, substantial regulation and oversight,
ongoing legal, regulatory and governmental actions and
investigations, the transition of LIBOR and IBOR rates to
replacement risk free rates and NatWest Group's exposure to
operational risk, conduct risk, cyber, data and IT risk, financial
crime risk, key person risk and credit rating risk. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
might cause actual results and performance to differ materially
from any expected future results or performance expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause
or contribute to differences in current expectations include, but
are not limited to, future growth initiatives (including
acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships), the
outcome of legal, regulatory and governmental actions and
investigations, the level and extent of future impairments and
write-downs, legislative, political, fiscal and regulatory
developments, accounting standards, competitive conditions,
technological developments, interest and exchange rate
fluctuations, general economic and political conditions and the
impact of climate-related risks and the transitioning to a net zero
economy. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may
impact any forward-looking statement or NatWest Group plc's actual
results are discussed in NatWest Group plc's 2022 Annual Report on
Form 20-F, NatWest Group plc's Interim Results for H1 2023 on Form
6-K, Natwest Group plc's Interim Management Statement for Q1 and Q3
2023 on Form 6-K, and its other public filings. The forward-looking
statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of
this document and NatWest Group plc does not assume or undertake
any obligation or responsibility to update any of the
forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to
the extent legally required.</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Date:&#xA0;27
October 2023</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
<div style="text-align: left">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: left; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px auto 0px 0px;">
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">NATWEST
GROUP plc (Registrant)</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">By: /s/
Jan Cargill</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Name:
Jan Cargill</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 80%;">
<div><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 20%;">
<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-indent: 0px">
<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">Title:
Chief Governance Officer and Company Secretary</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>
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<font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px">&#xA0;</font></div>
</div>
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