FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2004
Commission File Number: 001-10306
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
42 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh EH2 2YE
Scotland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X | Form 40-F |
Yes | No X |
Enclosures: | 1. | Issue of Debt announcement made on 02 December 2004 | |||
2. | Redemption of Shares announcement made on 02 December 2004 | ||||
3. | Trading Statement announcement made on 09 December 2004 | ||||
4. | Director Shareholding announcement made on 09 December 2004 | ||||
5. | Holding(s) in Company announcement made on 09 December 2004 | ||||
6. | Dividend Declaration Replacement announcement made on 09 December 2004 | ||||
7. | Additional Listing announcement made on 16 December 2004 | ||||
8. | Holding(s) in Company(s) announcement made on 23 December 2004 |
Enclosure No. 1
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC
ISSUES US$675MN ISSUE OF SUBORDINATED FIXED RATE NOTES DUE 2015
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc ("the Group") announces the issue of US$[1]675 million subordinated fixed rate notes due 2015 ("Notes"). The notes will be issued at 99.971%, with a coupon of 5.05%, payable semi annually on 8 January and 8 July. Proceeds from the issue of the Notes, after deducting underwriting commission, will amount to US$ 671,766,750
Banc of America Securities LLC and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. are Joint Lead Managers on this transaction with JP Morgan Securities, Inc. as co-manager.
The Notes will be issued under a Form F-3 Shelf Registration Statement which the Group has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C.
The Notes are expected to be rated Aa3/A+/AA- by Moody's, S&P and Fitch respectively. The Notes will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
This release is not an offer for sale of securities. The Notes have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
For further information, please contact:
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Ron Huggett Capital Raising Director 280 Bishopsgate London EC2N 2DL Tel: 020 7085 4925 |
Richard O'Connor Head of Investor Relations 280 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4RB Tel: 020 7672 1763 |
Banc of America Mike Coppock Managing Director 5 Canada Square London E14 5AQ Tel: 020 7174 4861 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Gordon Taylor Director Primary Markets 135 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3UR Tel: 020 7085 1217 |
Stabilisation - FSA [ IPMA]
Enclosure No. 2
REDEMPTION OF NON-CUMULATIVE USD PREFERENCE SHARES
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc has given notice that it will, on 31st March 2005 (the "Redemption Date"), redeem all the 500,000 Non-cumulative USD Preference Shares, Series 2 of $0.01 each, that are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Consequently, on the Redemption Date, each share will therefore become due and payable at its redemption amount of $1,000.00 together with dividends payable for the then-current dividend period and accrued to the Redemption Date.
For further information please contact:
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc;
Ron Huggett Richard O'Connor
Capital Raising Director Head of Investor Relations
280 Bishopsgate 280 Bishopsgate
London London
EC2M 4RB EC2M 4RB
Tel: 020 7085 4925 Tel: 020 7672 1763
The Bank of New York (Paying Agent)
Violet Pagan
Assistant Vice President
Depositary Receipts
101 Barclay Street
New York
NY10286
Tel: 212 815 2276
Enclosure No. 3
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Pre-close Trading Update
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) will be holding discussions with analysts and investors ahead of its close period for the year ending 31 December 2004. This statement sets out the information that will be covered in those discussions.
RBS has continued to make good progress in 2004. Key features of its annual results, which will be released on 24 February 2005, are expected to include strong income growth (both organic and from acquisitions) across a broad mix of businesses, improved efficiency and continued improvements in credit metrics. Consequently, the Group is confident of meeting market expectations.
Income and Margins
RBS has maintained strong momentum in organic income growth in the second half of the year, supported by continued good growth in loans and deposits, stable interest margins and good growth in non-interest income. Strong growth in income has been achieved despite the impact of US dollar weakness.
The Group has continued to achieve good growth in assets, including a sustained strong performance in small and mid-corporate loans, some recovery in demand for large corporate loans and continued growth in consumer lending, particularly mortgages. In UK consumer lending, there have been some signs of a modest easing in the rate of growth in unsecured lending and, more recently, in mortgages. UK consumer lending accounts for only 10% of Group income, so any slowdown would have minimal impact on our overall income.
Deposit balances have continued to grow across the Group, with particularly good growth in corporate volumes.
Margins are expected to be in line with guidance given in August. As previously indicated, the Group net interest margin is expected to be a few basis points lower than last year as a result of the inclusion of First Active and the business mix impact of particularly strong growth in mortgages and rental assets.
Non-interest income has continued to reflect strong growth across all our activities, including credit cards, general insurance and money transmission. Dealing profits continue to show positive momentum, reflecting higher customer volumes, but, as in the first half, their growth is expected to be less than for income growth across the Group as a whole.
Expenses
The Group remains focused on improving its efficiency. Expenses have increased to support higher business volumes, and the Group continues to invest in initiatives that will enhance its customer service capabilities and improve efficiency in the future. Excluding acquisitions, the Group is on track to achieve a small improvement in the cost:income ratio in the second half of 2004 compared to the first half, with a further improvement anticipated in 2005 as the Group's efficiency programme begins to have a positive impact on the cost:income ratio.
Credit Quality and Provisions
Credit quality remains strong. Credit metrics continue to improve overall, due principally to further improvements in Corporate Banking. Retail Banking provisions are expected to reflect the seasoning of the NatWest loan portfolio which we anticipated in our interim results presentation.
Acquisitions and Disposals
The performance of the businesses which we acquired in 2003 and 2004 continues to be good. They are contributing to the overall growth of the Group, and all integrations are fully on track.
The acquisition of Charter One Financial Inc, announced on 4 May 2004, was completed on 31 August 2004. The performance of the business continues to be good. The integration of Charter One, and the expansion of the franchise into the small business and mid-corporate sectors, are both progressing well. The balance sheet repositioning of Charter One to reduce interest rate risk has been successfully implemented, in line with the plans outlined at the time of the announcement of the acquisition.
Change of Accounting Policy
The Group plans to adopt Financial Reporting Standard 17 'Retirement Benefits' ('FRS 17') - the standard that replaces SSAP24 'Pension costs' ('SSAP24') - for its 2004 results. As the measurement principles in FRS 17 are similar to those in the equivalent international accounting standard (IAS 19 'Employee Benefits') the change in policy means that we will reflect the cost of pensions in 2004 on a basis that is consistent with the treatment to be applied from 1 January 2005 under International Financial Reporting Standards.
The effect on comparative periods of adopting FRS 17 is shown in
Appendix 1. The charge for pension costs in the first half of 2004 was comparable to the charge that results from the adoption of FRS 17. Consequently there is no change to the reported profit before tax for that period. Although shareholders' funds are reduced, the adoption of FRS 17 has no effect on the Group's regulatory capital.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
The Group's annual and interim accounts for 2005 will be prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Group's conversion project has progressed well and the Group is planning to issue its 2004 results restated to IFRS in the second quarter of 2005.
The precise effect of the application of IFRS to the 2004 results will depend on the full year figures and the balance sheet position at the end of the year. In addition, due to the delay in the issuance of IAS 39, uncertainties remain as to its detailed interpretation and implementation.
We have, however, attempted to quantify the impact of the move to IFRS as applied to our 2004 results and currently estimate that it will lead to a small reduction (of between 2% and 3%) in the Group's adjusted earnings per share (before goodwill amortisation and integration costs) for the year. Basic earnings per share are estimated to increase by more than 10%, principally as a result of goodwill no longer being amortised.
An analysis of the indicative effect of IFRS on earnings is shown in
Appendix 2.
Capital
Capital ratios remain strong. Our Tier 1 capital ratio at 31 December 2004 is expected to be towards the top end of our target range of 6.5% to 7.0%.
The adoption of FRS 17 has no effect on the Group's regulatory capital.
The move to IFRS is expected to lead to a small reduction (currently expected to be in the range of 10 to 20 basis points) in the Group's Tier 1 capital ratio at 31 December 2004.
An analysis of the indicative effect of IFRS on Tier 1 capital ratio is shown in Appendix 3.
Sir Fred Goodwin, Group Chief Executive, commented:
"It is pleasing that our results continue to show good momentum across our broad range of businesses, driven both organically and through acquisitions. Our results are expected to show a picture of financial strength across all our businesses, whether reported under UK GAAP or following the application of International Financial Reporting Standards."
Contacts
Sir Fred Goodwin Group Chief Executive 0131 523 2003
Fred Watt Group Finance Director 0131 523 2028
Richard O'Connor Head of Investor Relations 0131 523 5103
0207 672 1758
For media enquiries:
Howard Moody Group Director, Communications 0131 523 2056
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Pre-close Trading Update
Appendix 1
Impact of implementation of FRS 17 (pension costs)
H1 2004 |
H1 2003 |
FY 2003 |
|||||||
£ m |
£ m |
£ m |
|||||||
Income (Note 1) |
|||||||||
as previously reported |
10,940 |
9,080 |
19,229 |
||||||
as restated |
10,964 |
9,106 |
19,281 |
||||||
Change |
24 |
26 |
52 |
||||||
Pension costs |
|||||||||
as previously reported |
185 |
134 |
273 |
||||||
as restated |
209 |
202 |
408 |
||||||
Change |
(24) |
(68) |
(135) |
||||||
Profit before tax |
|||||||||
as previously reported |
3,381 |
2,896 |
6,159 |
||||||
as restated |
3,381 |
2,854 |
6,076 |
||||||
Change |
- |
(42) |
(83) |
||||||
Shareholders' funds |
|||||||||
as previously reported |
32,408 |
28,614 |
28,099 |
||||||
as restated |
30,407 |
26,605 |
26,098 |
||||||
Change (Note 2) |
(2,001) |
(2,009) |
(2,001) |
||||||
Notes:
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Pre-close Trading Update
Appendix 2
IFRS - Indicative Impact on 2004 Earnings
The following table sets out the Group's estimates of the effect of IFRS as applied to its 2004 earnings. All amounts are indicative.
|
Capital instruments Note 2 |
|
Goodwill Note 3 |
|
Software capitalisation Note 4 |
|
All other adjustments Note 5 |
|
Total |
|
£m |
|
£m |
|
£m |
|
£m |
|
£m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income |
(400) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(100) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(150) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit |
(400) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(250) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Integration costs |
- |
|
- |
|
(250) |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
- |
|
900 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax |
(400) |
|
900 |
|
(250) |
|
(250) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax |
50 |
|
- |
|
100 |
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preference dividends and minorities |
350 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings |
- |
|
900 |
|
(150) |
|
(150) |
|
600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted earnings (before goodwill and integration costs) |
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
(150) |
|
(150) |
Notes:
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Pre-close Trading Update
Appendix 2
IFRS - Indicative Impact on 2004 Earnings
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Pre-close Trading Update
Appendix 3
IFRS - Indicative Effect on Tier 1 Capital Ratio
The estimated effect of implementation of IFRS on our Tier 1 capital ratio at 31 December 2004 can be summarised as follows:
|
|
Effect on Tier 1 capital ratio (basis points) | ||
Final dividend (Note 1) |
|
30 | ||
IFRS transition adjustments |
|
(30) - (40) | ||
Pension scheme deficit |
|
(10) | ||
Overall effect on Tier 1 capital |
|
|
(10) - (20) |
|
|
|
|
Notes:
This announcement contains forward looking statements, including such statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements concern or may affect future matters, such as RBS's future economic results, business plans and strategies, and are based upon the current expectations of the directors. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results and events to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in current expectations include, but are not limited to, regulatory developments, competitive conditions, technological developments and general economic conditions. These factors risks and uncertainties are discussed in RBS's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, RBS's report on Form 6-K containing this announcement and certain sections of RBS's Annual Report on Form 20-F. Information in this announcement of the price at which investments have been bought or sold in the past or the yield on investments cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. RBS assumes no responsibility to update any of the forward looking statements contained in this announcement.
Enclosure No. 4
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND
CONNECTED PERSONS
1. Name of company
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc |
2. Name of director
Sir Fred Goodwin |
3. Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest
Sir Fred Goodwin |
4. Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of shares held by each of them (if notified)
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Trustee Account BAYE and Profit Sharing |
5. Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
Sir Fred Goodwin |
6. Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please indicate whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Participation in The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc Share Incentive Plan |
7. Number of shares / amount of stock acquired
8 |
8. Percentage of issued class
- |
9. Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
- |
10. Percentage of issued class
- |
11. Class of security
Ordinary Shares of 25p |
12. Price per share
£16.64 |
13. Date of transaction
7 December 2004 |
14. Date company informed
9 December 2004 |
15. Total holding following this notification
64,960 |
16. Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
|
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the following boxes.
17. Date of grant
|
18. Period during which or date on which exercisable
|
19. Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
|
20. Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
|
21. Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be fixed at time of exercise
|
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this notification
|
23. Any additional information
|
24. Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat 0131 523 4711 |
25. Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for making this notification
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat |
Date of Notification
9 December 2004 |
The FSA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of this document or material and does not accept any liability for error or omission. The FSA is not liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this document, or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this document or any such material.
Enclosure No. 5
SCHEDULE 10
NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN
SHARES
1. Name of company
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc |
2. Name of shareholder having a major interest
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
3. Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
4. Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of shares held by each of them
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
5. Number of shares / amount of stock acquired
- |
6. Percentage of issued class
3.014% |
7. Number of shares / amount of stock disposed
n/a |
8. Percentage of issued class
n/a |
9. Class of security
Ordinary Shares of 25p each |
10. Date of transaction
3 December 2004 |
11. Date company informed
8 December 2004 |
12. Total holding following this notification
95,568,266 |
13. Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
3.014% |
14. Any additional information
- |
15. Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat, Telephone 0131 523 4711 |
16. Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for making this notification
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat, Telephone 0131 523 4711 |
Date of notification
9 December 2004 |
The FSA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of this document or material and does not accept any liability for error or omission. The FSA is not liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this document, or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this document or any such material.
Enclosure No. 6
The following amendments have been made to the Dividend Declaration announcement made on 24 November
2004.
The record date for the Series 3 non-cumulative convertible dollar preference shares
of US$0.01 each should be 16 December and not 3 December, as originally shown.
Details of dividend on 11% and 5.5% cumulative preference shares of £1
each were omitted from the previous announcement, and have been added to
the end of this announcement.
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
DIVIDEND ON SERIES D, SERIES E, SERIES F, SERIES G, SERIES H, SERIES I, SERIES J, SERIES K, SERIES L AND SERIES M NON-CUMULATIVE DOLLAR PREFERENCE SHARES of US$0.01 FOR THE THREE MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2004
The Directors have declared the specified dividends on the undernoted Series of non-cumulative dollar preference shares, all of which are represented by American Depositary Shares, for the three months to 31 December 2004. The dividends will be paid on 31 December 2004 at the undernoted rates to holders on the register at the close of business on 16 December 2004. As at the date of this announcement all of the undernoted Non-cumulative dollar preference shares are held by The Bank of New York, N.A. as Depositary who have advised that the record date for the American Depositary Receipts which evidence the undernoted American Depositary Shares is 16 December 2004.
Series |
Dividend payable per share |
Series D |
US$0.51328125 |
Series E |
US$0.50625 |
Series F |
US$0.478125 |
Series G |
US$0.4625 |
Series H |
US$0.453125 |
Series I |
US$0.50 |
Series J |
US$0.53125 |
Series K |
US$0.4921875 |
Series L |
US$0.359375 |
Series M |
US$0.40 |
|
|
24 November 2004
End
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
DIVIDEND ON SERIES 3 NON-CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE DOLLAR PREFERENCE SHARES OF US$0.01 FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2004
The Directors have declared the specified dividends on the undernoted series of non-cumulative convertible dollar preference shares, all of which are represented by American Depositary Shares, for the six months to 31 December 2004. The dividends will be paid on 31 December 2004 at the undernoted rates to holders on the register at the close of business on 16 December 2004. As at the date of this announcement all of the undernoted non-cumulative dollar preference shares are held by The Bank of New York, N.A. as Depositary who have advised that the record date for the American Depositary Receipts which evidence the undernoted American Depositary Shares is 16 December 2004.
Series |
Dividend payable per share |
Series 3 |
US$39.08 |
24 November 2004
End
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc
DIVIDEND ON SERIES 1 NON-CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE STERLING PREFERENCE SHARES OF £0.01 FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2004
The Directors have declared the specified dividends on the undernoted series of non-cumulative convertible sterling preference shares for the year to 31 December 2004. The dividends will be paid on 31 December 2004 at the undernoted rates to holders on the register at the close of business on 16 December 2004.
Series |
Dividend payable per share |
Series 1 |
£73.87 |
|
|
24 November 2004
Enc
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC
DIVIDEND ON 11 PER CENT AND 5.5 PER CENT CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES FOR THE HALF YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2004
The Directors have declared a half-yearly dividend on the 11 per cent and 5.5 per cent £1 cumulative preference shares. The dividend will be paid on 31 December 2004 at the rate of 5.5 per cent and 2.75 per cent respectively and will be paid to those preference shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3 December 2004.
24 November 2004
Enclosure No. 7
Company Announcement
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
Employee Share Schemes
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc announces that it has applied to the London
Stock Exchange and the UK Listing Authority for a new block listing of ordinary
shares in respect of the following Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, employee
share schemes:
(i) | 20,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each in respect of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 1997 Sharesave Scheme | ||
(ii) | 10,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each in respect of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Option 2000 Scheme | ||
(iii) | 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each in respect of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 1999 Executive Share Option Scheme. |
These new shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary
shares of the Company. Application has been made for the 36,000,000 new shares
to be admitted to the Official List and approval of the block listing
application is expected on 16 December 2004.
Further copies of this announcement are available at the Company's offices at 36
St Andrew Square, Edinburgh and at the Company Announcements Department, The
Stock Exchange.
Enclosure No. 8
SCHEDULE 10
NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN
SHARES
1. Name of company
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc |
2. Name of shareholder having a major interest
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
3. Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
4. Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of shares held by each of them
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. |
5. Number of shares / amount of stock acquired
- |
6. Percentage of issued class
- |
7. Number of shares / amount of stock disposed
- |
8. Percentage of issued class
- |
9. Class of security
Ordinary Shares of 25p each |
10. Date of transaction
20 December 2004 |
11. Date company informed
23 December 2004 |
12. Total holding following this notification
95,006,962 |
13. Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
Less than 3% |
14. Any additional information
- |
15. Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat, Telephone 0131 523 4711 |
16. Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for making this notification
Hew Campbell, Head of Group Secretariat, Telephone 0131 523 4711 |
Date of notification
23 December 2004 |
The FSA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of this document or material and does not accept any liability for error or omission. The FSA is not liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from the use of or inability to use this document, or any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of using this document or any such material.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: 31 December 2004
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP plc (Registrant) |
By: | /s/ H Campbell |
Name: Title: |
H Campbell Head of Group Secretariat |