Lloyds chief admits he is ‘very optimistic’ Britain will thrive after Brexit
Banking boss Antonio Horta-Osorio says Britain's dynamism and determination in the face of adversity will see it through
BRITAIN will thrive post-Brexit, the boss of Lloyds bank predicted.
Antonio Horta-Osorio, who also revealed he had become a British citizen, said he was “very optimistic” for his adopted country.
Writing for The Sun, the Portugal-born banking giant’s boss, 53, said British dynamism and determination in the face of adversity would see it through.
He added: “Brexit will present some significant challenges but what I see every day at the head of the UK’s largest retail and commercial bank fills me with optimism for the long-term future of the country.”
Mr Horta-Osorio spoke out as the Government confirmed it had sold its last few shares in his bailed-out bank group.
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Taxpayers pumped in £20.3billion, taking a 43 per cent share in Lloyds at the height of the financial crisis in 2008.
Mr Horta-Osorio, who came to Britain in 1992, and has been CEO at Lloyds since 2011, spoke of his love for “this remarkable, dynamic country”.
He said: “Working alongside my colleagues as we fought to save Lloyds taught me about that determination in the face of adversity that is particularly British.
“It’s why I took UK citizenship in 2014 and why I am proud to call this country home.
“I travel around the country to meet our customers and pay particular attention to what the small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of the economy tell me.
“Believe me, there is still plenty of dynamism out there.”
Mr Horta-Osorio’s upbeat message is at odds with the City, which has been generally gloomy about our post-Brexit prospects.
The Bank of England said today the fall in sterling since last June hit consumer spending and was driving up inflation.
But the Lloyds boss said: “The economy is growing very well at around two per cent. We like that.”