Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of key economic data from the U.S.

Earlier this week official figures showed a shock contraction in British GDP of 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter.

Today figures for fourth quarter GDP are due from the U.S. and are expected to show strong and accelerating growth, following growth of 2.6 per cent in the third quarter.

By 09:55 shares in Lloyds Banking Group were down 0.88 per cent to 62.89 pence per share, Barclays shares declined 0.15 per cent to 298.95 pence per share and HSBC shares dropped 0.10 per cent to 695.20 pence per share.

RBS however saw its shares rise 0.63 per cent to 43.30 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was down 0.61 per cent to 5,928.39.

Barclays HSBC FTSE GDP