Proactive Investors - Shares in NatWest (LON:NWG) rose 2.1% after it emerged the Government has sold another 1% of its stake in the high street lender.
The move from 36.94% to 35.94% was announced in a stock exchange filing.
The banking giant was bailed out following the global financial crisis, but the Treasury has been gradually cutting down its stake.
In March 2022, its stake in the lender fell below the 50% threshold for the first time since 2008.
NatWest has courted controversy in the past 12 months after the Nigel Fraage de-banking fiasco which claimed the head of then boss, Alison Rose.
In last year’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed plans to sell more shares of NatWest in a retail sale, allowing members of the general public to take part for the first time.
Hunt said the government was "exploring" a possible retail share offer for NatWest over the next 12 months, though this would be subject to market conditions and "value for money".