Heritage

We are proud of our long and extraordinary history. It's part of our identity and part of what makes us unique. Discover more about our heritage and some of the historical themes that have played a part in shaping us.

We can trace the history of our businesses not only across the centuries, but also around the world.

United Kingdom

RBS, established in 1727, is one of Britain's oldest banks. Some of its constituents are even older, including Child & Co, dating back to the 1580s, and Coutts & Co, founded in 1692.

Ireland

Our constituent Ulster Bank, established in Belfast in 1836, is now one of the largest banks in the island of Ireland.

Sweden

Our constituent NatWest opened a Stockholm office in 1981 and through the acquisition of ABN AMRO we can trace our roots here back to the 1860s.

France

Our constituent NatWest established a major Paris office in 1913, and through the acquisition of ABN AMRO we can trace our roots here back to the 1780s.

Switzerland

Our constituent Coutts Bank von Ernst was founded in Zurich in 1869.

Greece

Our constituent Williams & Glyn's opened a Piraeus office in 1973, now at the heart of the RBS's shipping finance business.

India

Through predecessors to our constituent ABN AMRO we can trace our roots here to agencies opened in Mumbai and Kolkata in 1920.

United States

Our constituent Citizens Financial was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1828.

Singapore

NHM, predecessor to our constituent ABN AMRO, opened an agency here in 1858, making RBS the oldest foreign bank here today.

Indonesia

NHM, predecessor to our constituent ABN AMRO, opened its very first overseas office in Jakarta in 1826, making RBS the oldest foreign bank here today.

China

NHM, predecessor to our constituent ABN AMRO, opened a Shanghai agency in 1825 and a full branch in 1903.

Japan

NHM, predecessor to our constituent ABN AMRO, opened an agency in Nagasaki in 1859 and in Kobe in 1920.

Our Story

From our Scottish beginnings to a worldwide presence, our story is rich and fascinating.

Click here to find out more about our story

Our Innovations

We've been innovating for more than 300 years. It's a continuous process and we can claim some important firsts in our history.

Click here to find out more about our innovations

Our Banknotes

We started issuing banknotes in 1727 and still do so today. Over the centuries, our banknotes have helped us to build trust, pride and identity..

Click here to find out more about banknotes

Our Archive Collection

Our archives date back as far as the 1660s and include Britain's oldest banking records. We are proud to make them available for research use.

Click here to go to our Archive Collection

From 1727 to today

Our Story

From our Scottish beginnings to a worldwide presence, our story is rich and fascinating.

Find out more about our story

Our Innovations

We've been innovating for more than 300 years. It's a continuous process and we can claim some important firsts in our history.

Find out more about our innovations

Our Banknotes

We started issuing banknotes in 1727 and still do so today. Over the centuries, our banknotes have helped us to build trust, pride and identity.

Find out more about our banknotes

Our Archive Collection

Our archives date back as far as the 1660s and include Britain's oldest banking records. We are proud to make them available for research use.

Go to our archive collection