NatWest also raised its key profit guidance for the year, saying it now expects to achieve a return on tangible equity of 16.5 per cent, up from its earlier guidance of up to 16 per cent. The results come a day after Lloyds also posted strong earnings, supported by continued resilience among UK households and businesses despite broader economic uncertainty. The share buyback announcement was in line with analyst expectations of £730m. NatWest shares have climbed 47 per cent over the past year. On 30 May, NatWest announced it had returned to full private ownership, marking the end of a taxpayer-funded government stake dating back to its 2008 financial crisis rescue. Then known as RBS, the bank has shifted from being a global investment bank to a domestic-focused corporate and retail lender, which has helped shield it from broader market disruptions. After years of reducing its operations, NatWest has started expanding again.