RBS linked to possible ABN Amro move

Royal Bank of Scotland was today being linked to a possible counter-bid for ABN Amro – the Dutch bank currently in talks over a merger with Barclays.

The speculation has been fuelled by the position of investment bank Goldman Sachs, which has close links to RBS and is reported to have resigned as an adviser to Dutch bank ING. That would leave it in a position to work on any forthcoming ABN Amro deal, with RBS seen as the most likely partner.