London, February 20, 2026, 09:05 GMT — Regular session

• NatWest picked up 0.7% in early London trading, bouncing back a bit following Thursday’s slide.
• The bank repurchased 752,846 shares for cancellation on Feb. 19, according to a new filing.
• UK retail sales came in stronger than expected, keeping lenders attuned to the rate outlook.

NatWest Group Plc (NWG.L) edged up 0.7% to 621.6 pence as of 0905 GMT, following fresh buyback activity reported by the bank. Shares kicked off at 625.6 pence, moving within a range of 618.0 to 625.6 pence in early trading. (London South East)

These shifts have caught investors’ nerves as they weigh the impact of lower interest rates on bank profits, with lenders working to…