Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading following reports that part nationalised bank RBS may be leaving the government's asset protection scheme earlier than expected.

A report in the Financial Times made the claim and made RBS the highest riser of the "big four" banks on the FTSE 100.

By 10:10 shares in Lloyds Banking Group were up 2.47 per cent to 68.46 pence per share, RBS shares increased 5.78 per cent to 44.63 pence per share and HSBC shares climbed 0.30 per cent to 699.40 pence per share.

Barclays shares however declined 0.64 per cent to 301.30 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was up 0.59 per cent to 5,902.55.

Barclays HSBC FTSE