Three former NatWest investment bankers facing Enron-related charges could stand trial in September next year, following a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

The trial could be brought forward to as early as February, but advisers acting for the three bankers – David Bermingham, Giles Darby and Gary Mulgrew – said that was unrealistic because evidence had to be obtained from their former UK-based employer, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and from witnesses who were also in the UK. A ruling is likely in the coming weeks.