LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulatorhas approved planned branch sales by Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland to increase choicefor consumers in a step towards the government selling itsshares in the banks.
However, the Office of Fair Trading said on Wednesday Lloydsmust strengthen the balance sheet of its TSB business, whichcomprises 631 branches, to enable it to grow its market sharemore rapidly.
Lloyds said in response that it would make changes toenhance TSB's profitability by over 200 million pounds ($316.27million) in aggregate in its first four years.