The Royal Bank of Scotland announced today it is in talks to sell its retail investor products and equity derivatives business. BNP Paribas, Frances biggest bank is the front runner to buy the business. The Royal Bank of Scotland is 81% owned by the British government. The RBS is cut the size of its investment bank since receiving a 45.5 billion pound government bailout in 2008. In June the bank said it would offload the IP&ED business to appease lawmakers who want the bank to focus on lending to domestic households and businesses.