1254 GMT - Share buybacks still make sense at current valuation levels given the U.K. bank's continued momentum, NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite says at a conference. The lender raised its ordinary dividend payout ratio to 50% from 40% alongside its results in February. "We've upped the ordinary, there's the potential for one further directed buyback should we have the opportunity and where we have surplus capital, we'll consider returning that to shareholders," Thwaite says. The U.K. government plans to exit its stake and return the bank to private ownership. The government sold down its holding to under 5% through share disposals and a 1 billion pound off-market directed buyback in November. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 18, 2025 08:54 ET (12:54 GMT)

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