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.
In the community
- 1946
- The Royal Bank of Scotland's constituent National Bank of Scotland launches the world's first mobile bank, serving rural communities on the Isle of Lewis.
- 1959
- Westminster Bank, a constituent of NatWest, opens the UK's first drive-in bank in Liverpool, so customers can access banking services from their cars.
- 1962
- RBS constituent National Commercial Bank of Scotland launches Otterbank, the first boat bank, providing banking services for the population of the Orkney Islands.
- 1964
- RBS constituent National Commercial Bank of Scotland is the first British bank to open a special 'Ladies' branch', staffed by women for women, in Edinburgh.
- 1969
- RBS introduces the first 'flying banker' service, replacing the boat bank in providing banking services for the people of the Orkney Islands.
- 1985
- RBS is the first UK bank to issue cheques in English, Welsh and Gaelic.
- 2007
- NatWest launches the UK's first dedicated Polish bank account, with Polish-language website and call centre support.
- 2008
- RBS recruits 50,000 UK consumers to an online panel - the first of its kind in the UK - to give us feedback on our products, new ideas and performance.
- 2008
- RBS constituent Ulster Bank launches the UK's first mortgage product created to help customers install home solar panels.
- How old is the Royal Bank?
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The Royal Bank of Scotland itself was established by royal charter on 31 May 1727. Some of our constituent businesses are even older, dating back as far as the 1580s. You can learn more about them at RBS Heritage On-line.
- Is it true that Scottish banknotes are not legal tender?
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Yes, it is - but Bank of England notes aren't legal tender in Scotland either. Officially, the phrase 'legal tender' means money that a person is obliged to accept if offered it in payment of a debt. Under Scottish law, that does not include banknotes, which are classified as 'legal currency' but not 'legal tender'.
The only historical exception was during the two world wars, when as a temporary measure the government made banknotes legal tender in Scotland, as a way of reinforcing people’s trust in them. This was important in a time of shortages, when the government needed to be sure that people would not hoard gold.