Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as weak U.S. economic data took investor eyes of the ongoing eurozone debt crisis.

The dollar foundered somewhat after U.S. data showed a drop in existing home sales in April, while manufacturing growth in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. slowed in the same month.

The weakness of the dollar helped gave the euro some apparent stability despite talks in the eurozone about a further bailout for Greece, after last year's bailout proved to be not enough.

By 10:35 shares in RBS were up 0.40 per cent to 42.32 pence per share, Barclays shares increased 0.56 per cent to 279.00 pence per share and HSBC share price rose 0.34 per cent to 641.70 pence per share.

However Lloyds Banking Group saw its shares fell 0.49 per cent to 52.87 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was up 0.73 per cent to 5,999.48.

HSBC Barclays FTSE