Announcing the plans for asset sales by Lloyds TSB, Northern Rock and Royal Bank of Scotland in early November, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling promised the move would increase competition in the U.K.'s tight-knit retail banking sector.rnHe didn't have much choice. Last year's financial crisis required significant government rescue funds, and the European Union has given the U.K. four years to reduce the big bank's market share.rnMany banks that may want a presence in the country simply don't have the cash to buy the banking bits the government wants to sell, and non-U.K.
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