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The banks Britain rescued in 2008

Britain nationalised or put capital into five banks in the 2008 crisis: Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS.

How many5 banks
As of28 September 2026
SourceNational Audit Office - The nationalisation of Northern Rock
Memory hook

Two nationalised outright (Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley) and three recapitalised (RBS, Lloyds TSB, HBOS).

The full list

Full nationalisations 2

Taken into complete public ownership via primary legislation or Treasury order.

Government recapitalisations (October-December 2008) 3

Received direct equity/capital injections from HM Treasury rather than full nationalisation.

Can you name them all?

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Questions

How many banks did the UK rescue in 2008?

Britain nationalised or put capital into five banks in the 2008 crisis: Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS.

Which banks are on the list?

Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS.

What is an easy way to remember them?

Two nationalised outright (Northern Rock, Bradford & Bingley) and three recapitalised (RBS, Lloyds TSB, HBOS).

Was Barclays bailed out?

No. Barclays did not take capital from the government.

More lists

The Big Six energy suppliersRegional electricity companies sold in 1990Water authorities sold in 1989The Thatcher privatisationsWhat Attlee nationalisedWhat Britain has nationalised since 2000All lists

Each name checked against at least two sources, one of them National Audit Office - The nationalisation of Northern Rock, on 28 September 2026. Next review by 28 September 2028.
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