A second bank rescue package totalling at least £50 billion was announced by the British government on 12 January 2009, as a response to the then-ongoing Financial crisis of 2007–2008.
The package was designed to increase the amount of money that banks could lend to businesses and private individuals.
This aid came in two parts: an initial £50 billion made available to big corporate borrowers,[1] and a second undisclosed amount that formed a form of insurance against banks suffering big losses.
The investment in RBS has increased to £45bn with a 72% stake held by the British Government.
[5] Since these investments, the bank has paid back the government £305m in underwriting fees, £2.504bn to exit the Asset Protection Scheme, £1.280bn in Contingent Capital Facility fees as well as retiring the special Dividend Access Share for £1.513bn in March 2016.