Profit plummeted 30.1% at Britain’s largest bank...

Profit plummeted 30.1% at Britain’s largest bank in 1987, mainly as a result of higher provisions against loans to Latin American countries and heavy losses at its investment bank. National Westminster Bank PLC said its 1987 earnings totaled $759 million (429 million pounds), down from $1.09 billion (614 million pounds) in 1986.