Proactive Investors - NatWest (LON:NWG) is reportedly set to appoint insider Paul Thwaite as chief executive following the departure of former boss Alison Rose over the Nigel Farage 'debanking' scandal.
Thwaite, who has served as the lender’s interim chief executive since July, is being considered by NatWest’s board for the role permanently, according to Sky News.
As per reports, the lender’s board will meet on Thursday to discuss Thwaite’s appointment, alongside Friday’s annual results.
No final decision is said to have been made, however, with the bank also preparing for a mass market share offering of the government's stake.
Thwaite’s appointment would come after former chief executive Rose stepped down in the wake of the so-called 'debanking' scandal.
This had seen Rose admit to a “serious error of judgement” when discussing Nigel Farage’s banking with NatWest subsidiary Coutts.
Farage had previously accused the lender of closing his account due to disagreement with his political beliefs.
Thwaite’s step up to the role would also come as NatWest is anticipated to post its most profitable year since a bailout in 2008, thanks in part to higher interest rates.