The most profitable banks in the UK

The top ten, as measured by return on capital, includes a number of investment and private banks, including HSBC Trust Co (UK) Ltd (1), Cater Allen Ltd (3), Barclays Bank Trust Co Ltd (4), and Lloyds Bank Private Banking Ltd (5). However, right up there with the best of them is Vanquis Bank Ltd, the bank that helps "people repair bad credit," which comes in at number two.

How many UK banks are loss making?

Two years the answer was fifty, now this has fallen to forty.

Haven't made a profit in...

5 years
Diamond Bank (UK) Plc, although the pre-tax loss for 2013 at £1.4million is the least worse of the last five years.
European Islamic Investment Bank Plc.
Islamic Bank of Britain Plc, although the loss for 2013 is the lowest.
Kleinwort Benson Bank Ltd.

P N B (Europe) Plc.
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc.
Ulster Bank Ltd.

4 years
Harrods Bank Ltd.

Metro Bank Ltd. Losses continue to rise, but at least the rate of increase is continuing to slow.

Northern Bank Ltd.

Standard Bank Plc, although pre-tax loss for 2013 is the lowest.

3 years
Bank of Ceylon (UK) Ltd.

Credit Suisse International. With a pre-tax loss of £59million, 2013 is the least worse of the least three years, although it has only made a profit once in the last five years.

Duncan Lawrie Ltd. It has only made a pre-tax profit once in the past five years.

F C M B (UK) Ltd, which hasn't made a pre-tax profit since inception.

G E Capital Bank Ltd.

Hampshire Trust Plc.

H F C Bank Ltd.
Mizuho International Plc.
National Westminster Bank Plc.

R B C Europe Ltd.

Changes of ownership

The latest edition of Bank League Tables (2014/15) is now out.

There have been two recent changes of ownership:

1. Sainsbury's Bank Plc is now owned 100% by J Sainsbury Plc after it bought Lloyds Banking Group's 50% share.

2. Qatar Islamic Bank now owns 100% of QIB (UK) Plc. Previously it was a majority shareholder.