NatWest softens fossil fuel lending rules sparking backlash from activists
The British bank relaxed restrictions on oil and gas financing to prioritize energy security. Activists responded by calling for investors to oppose the chair.
Insights:
NatWest Group plc announced today, February 13, 2026, that it has softened its fossil fuel lending policy by removing several bans on reserve-based lending and on dealing with certain oil and gas companies. The change, which was made public alongside the bank's full-year results, represents another major bank scaling back fossil fuel restrictions amid ongoing global efforts to meet emission targets. This move comes at a time when bank-level lending rules are increasingly tied to climate commitments and are subject to heightened investor scrutiny.
