RBS referred to regulator over 'horrendous' treatment of small firms

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Evidence of Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS') treatment of small businesses has been passed to financial regulators by business secretary Vince Cable, according to reports.

A damning report from businessman Lawrence Tomlinson, an adviser at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, into how RBS treated small businesses is due to be published on Monday.

The BBC said RBS had put some "good and viable" businesses into default so it could boost profits.

It added Cable has passed the document to the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority for its consideration.

The 80% taxpayer owned bank is also under scrutiny after a two-month investigation by The Sunday Times which claims to have uncovered the use of a "hit squad" within RBS which that has driven businesses into financial trouble through punitive fees and charges

The Telegraph said the Tomlinson's report alleges the state-backed lender seized assets from firms to benefit its own property portfolio. Evidence gathered by The Sunday Times was handed to Tomlinson for his report, which is independent.

The report is focused on the bank's Global Restructuring Group lending division, which manages 'risky' loans.

Tomlinson told the BBC: "The treatment that some of these companies have had is horrendous."

RBS said it was already committed to an investigation into how it has treated customers.

The bank added in a statement: "In the boom years leading up to the financial crisis, the over-heated property development market became a major threat to the UK economy.

"RBS did more than its fair share to fuel this and commercial property lending was one of the key drivers of our near collapse as valuations rapidly plummeted.

"Facing up to these mistakes has been a difficult, but essential part of making RBS a safe and strong bank once again."

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