National Australia Bank is set to put the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks up for sale, with Spanish giant BBVA considering a bid, reports have claimed.
NAB recently signalled it was withdrawing from the auction to buy 318 branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Sunday Times reports that officials are looking at a complete withdrawal from the UK market.
BBVA has yet to make a formal approach to NAB but is thought to have started initial talks. NAB officials had considered listing the UK arm but selling up is thought to be the preferred option.
Glasgow-based Clydesdale Bank, which incorporates the Yorkshire brand, was purchased by NAB 23 years ago and currently has 2.7 million UK customers.
The business employs 8,200 UK workers at its 340 branches - 188 Yorkshire and 152 Clydesdale - and any sale is likely to have an impact on graduate jobs in banking and finance.
