British bank NatWest reported forecast-beating annual profit on Friday, boosted by progress in its growth strategy, productivity and capital management which bosses said could pave the way for fresh acquisitions and higher investor returns.

Natwest narrowly beat analysts’ annual profit expectations after posting a bump in its consumer lending. The FTSE 100 lender posted a £6.2bn pre-tax profit skimming ahead of analysts expectation of £6.

The London-listed lender revealed its pre-tax operating profits flatlined at just under £6.2billion in 2024, compared to analysts' expectations of £6.1billion.

Natwest recorded an increased pretax operating profit of £6.2bn for the year to end of December, up 0.3% on 2023 and slightly above analyst forecasts of £6.1bn. Loans to customers increased by £13.5bn to £332bn,