Slaughter and May, Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have landed advisory roles on Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group’s plan to sell off branches and raise £54.5bn.

The Treasury announced today (3 November) that it had concluded discussions with both banks about their participation in the Government’s Asset Protection Scheme (APS), with Linklaters picking up the mandate to advise both RBS and Lloyds.