A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today said it would press on with a new offer for ABN Amro despite a court ruling allowing the Dutch bank to sell its US banking operation, LaSalle.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team competing with rival Barclays to buy ABN Amro is expected to hold fresh talks with the Dutch bank over the weekend.

Attempts by Royal Bank of Scotland to lead a buy-out of ABN Amro were boosted today when a court blocked the Dutch bank’s sale of its US business LaSalle.