The Royal Bank of Scotland, under state control since the British government rescued it in 2008, announced Wednesday it was going to leave the asset protection scheme, a move that could be seen as the first step toward the bank\'s reprivatisation. \"The Bank\'s exit from the APS demonstrates the progress RBS has made in transforming a balance sheet that had become dangerously large and unstable into one that is more conservative, resilient and sustainable,\" RBS said in a statement, adding that it would leave the scheme effective October 18.