“Nearly two decades ago, the then-government stepped in to protect millions of savers and businesses from the consequences of the collapse," Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in a statement. “That was the right decision then to secure the economy and NatWest’s return to private ownership turns the page on a significant chapter in this country’s history.”
As part of a series of bailouts, the Labour government at the time took a majority stake in the bank as it poured in 45.5 billion pounds to keep it afloat.
The government recovered 35 billion through sales of shares, dividends and fees, the treasury said.
With the sales of the remaining shares, the government said it was no longer in the banking business it had taken on during the crisis.
NatWest thanked taxpayers for its rescue.