British bank NatWest on Friday posted better than expected profit last year as it drove up revenue and finally cut government shackles after its rescue during the global financial crisis.

Profit after tax jumped 21 per cent to £5.5 billion ($7.5 billion) as revenue grew 13 per cent to £16.6 billion, NatWest said in a statement.

‘2025 was another strong year... rooted in the support we provide to people, families and businesses,’ said the bank’s chief executive Paul Thwaite.

The British government last year sold its remaining shareholding in NatWest, having rescued the institution when it was called Royal Bank of Scotland.

RBS was handed £45 billion of taxpayers’ cash in the world’s biggest banking bailout as a result of the 2008 financial crisis.

Years of losses followed but NatWest has enjoyed recent profits after a massive overhaul that has seen the lender reduce in size to focus on retail banking and UK businesses.

Highlighting its stronger position, NatWest this week announced a deal to buy wealth manager Evelyn Partners for £2.7 billion.