NatWest (NWG) secured approval from the US Federal Reserve to establish a representative office in Stamford, Connecticut, as the UK bank seeks to expand its presence and target current and prospective US clients, media outlets reported Tuesday.

The office will market NatWest's products, support US customers and handle back office functions but will not be permitted to take deposits. NatWest already operates a US-licensed broker-dealer in Stamford, according to the reports.

The move marks NatWest's first major US expansion since the 2008-2009 financial crisis, following UK ring-fencing reforms that eased restrictions on overseas operations, the reports said.

NatWest didn't immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.