Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 15 October, 2012 - Business - Scotsman.com ROYAL Bank of Scotland (RBS) could lose out on hundreds of millions of pounds on any eventual sale of 316 branches, with Virgin Money understood to be hovering following the breakdown of talks with Santander UK (Scotsman). The latest labour market survey from Bank of Scotland out today showed an increase in both permanent and temporary jobs filled, with the rates of growth at four- and five- month highs respectively (Scotsman). Big bit parts: confidence back in North Sea CONFIDENCE is returning to North Sea investment decisions, with drilling activity in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) in the first nine months of 2012 ahead of the same period last year, claims a report out today. The number of wells drilled in the area is just 6 per cent off the total number drilled in the UKCS in the whole of 2011 (Scotsman). The group, which was co-founded by John McNicol and Jim Hall in 2009, finalised two deals in September and has another six due for completion by January (Scotsman). UK call centre in jobs boost THE UK chief executive of call centre firm Teleperformance expects to create up to 500 more positions in Scotland over the next 12 to 15 months. Alistair Niederer said the company's Scottish arm - acquired for around £35 million from beCogent in 2010 and which employs around 3500 full and part-time staff - was performing extremely well (Herald). West Coast Main Line: Virgin in talks to extend franchise for 9-13 months