The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc Thursday announced it has agreed to sell its 50% shareholding in Linea Directa Aseguradora ("LDA") to its joint venture partner, Bankinter, for a cash consideration of EUR426 million.

The price of EUR426 million represents a consideration of 2.5x the tangible book value, and a price to earnings ratio of 11.9x 2008 earnings. The impact of this sale is expected to result in a net gain on sale of just over GBP200 million. RBS will continue to operate its Insurance businesses in the U.K., Germany and Italy.

The disposal of LDA is consistent with the strategy as announced on Feb. 26 2009. As a 50/50% joint venture, Linea Directa Aseguradora has operated as a largely independent Spanish insurance operation with limited connection to the Group.