Royal Bank of Scotland

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) is an international banking and financial services company headquartered in Edinburgh. One of the largest financial services groups in the world, the RBS Group operates in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia, with over 30 million customers worldwide.

History

Founded in 1727, RBS was not only the biggest company in Scotland, but the second largest bank in the UK and Europe after HSBC, ranking sixth in the world. Seventy per cent of the top 100 companies in Europe bank with RBS. It is in the top five of all companies listed on the UK stock exchange.

In 2008 RBS bought Dutch bank ABN Amro. In Feb 2009, RBS was forced to admit that the acquisition of ABN Amro helped towards the bank’s near demise, although it could not put a figure on how much RBS will have to write down to cover losses made.

In March 2000, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group completed the largest takeover in British banking history with its hostile acquisition of NatWest in a £21 billion deal, which also cost 18,000 jobs. Its assets at 30 June 2004 totalled £519 billion, its profits over the previous half year up by 17% before tax.

The Group also includes Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, which also has a strong presence in the Republic of Ireland; Ireland's First Active Plc; Coutts Group, which provides banking to 70,000 wealthy customers in 38 countries; Direct Line, providing insurance and financial services by telephone; Citizens Financial Group, based in Rhode Island (USA), the second largest bank in New England; Churchill, one of the UK's largest providers of insurance products; the asset finance company Lombard; and Style Financial Services Limited, providing retail credit and store cards. In addition to the UK, the Group has offices in Europe, the US, and Asia. It is developing its financial service activities across Europe with Santander Central Hispano of Spain. Tesco Personal Finance, a joint venture between RBS and Tesco, is one of the main supermarket banking brands in the UK.

RBS investments

Friends of the Earth ranks the Royal Bank of Scotland among the least ethical pension scheme providers in Britain, with a score of only 1 out of 15, based on the degree to which ethical, environmental and social considerations were even taken into account, and the mechanisms for customer control and the monitoring of policies in place.

RBS signed up to the Equator Principles, which set certain environmental and social guidelines which any project must meet before they will lend money. However, it is funding the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which has been shown by Friends of the Earth to break these principles on over 150 counts. The Royal Bank of Scotland financed the pipeline by about $100 million. Another bank, Intesa of Italy, has already pulled out of the project due to safety concerns. The Royal Bank of Scotland has ignored all concerns, and seems likely to fund similar projects in future.

The bank's 2003 (most recent) annual report flag-shipped RBS as a major financier of oil services company Petrofac's acquisition plans. Also celebrated were its services to Element Six, an Irish-based company mining diamonds in South Africa, formerly known as De Beers Industrial Diamonds. It is also a major funder of Peel Holdings, which owns Liverpool airport. The bank is heavily involved in funding the civil aviation industry through its subsidiary RBS Aviation Capital, based in Dublin, which finances at least 98 civilian airlines in 36 countries.

In 2004, RBS initiated the refinancing, together with HBoS, of Abbot Group Plc, an offshore drilling, inspection and drilling support company to the tune of £80.2 million.

Natwest, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, financed the Asia Pulp and Paper Company (APP), which was responsible for the destruction of 280,000 hectares of Indonesian rainforest over the space of 10 years. They are also in dispute with indigenous peoples over land rights.

Conflicts and criticisms

RBS and racial discrimination

In June 2004 RBS US subsidiary, Citizens, was accused by Fair Finance Watch of racial discrimination in its lending practices. The group alleges that Citizens 'continues to disproportionately exclude and deny African-Americans' and Latinos' applications for mortgage loans'. It cites statistics from a number of US cities, such as Philadelphia, where it claims Citizens rejected 14 out of 15 mortgage applications from African-Americans in 2002. Only 6 out of 15 white applicants in Philadelphia were rejected, it is alleged.

The group Friends of Al-Aqsa (FoAA), a British-Palestinian solidarity organisation had its bank accounts abruptly closed by the Royal Bank of Scotland in January 2005. The group is not under sanction by the government, although an organisation with a similar name is on a Home Office 'watchlist'. The bank has refused to discuss the issue, and merely informed Ismail Patel, chair of the Leicester-based FoAA, that a review had been conducted and the bank was no longer willing to provide him with facilities. He was given 30 days to transfer his personal and business accounts and the FoAA account. Threats of legal action and a mass consumer boycott persuaded the bank to reopen the accounts a few days later.

RBS accounting mismanagement

A report by the US Bankruptcy Court investigating the Enron affair found that 'RBS aided and abetted certain Enron officers in breaching their fiduciary duties', and was aware of Enron's accountancy juggling concerning a power plant in Teesside. The report names four RBS executives, claiming they were among those involved in the deal.

RBS was fined £750,000 in 2002 for breaches of money laundering regulations after it failed to show adequate documentation of customers’ identities for some accounts.

RBS and animal rights

The Royal Bank of Scotland was one of the major financiers of the Huntingdon Life Sciences animal testing centre, but gave up their support when they were informed that their staff and customers could become targeted by the animal rights movement.

Tax havens

According to ActionAid report, along with HSBC, Barclays and Lloyds Group, the Royal Bank of Scotland is among the four big FTSE 100 banks to use tax havens, with over 400 companies located in jurisdictions classed as such. The 'big four' banks account for 1,649 companies located in tax havens.

Manipulating prices

In May 2015 RBS, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Barclays and RBS were found guilty of manipulating the price of US dollar and euros and fined nearly $6 billion between them. US authorities discovered that between December 2007 and January 2013 traders at the banks had referred to themselves at 'The Cartel' in chatrooms 'where they used coded language to set benchmark rates'. During a trial period, one Barclays trader was even told 'mess this up and sleep with one eye open at night' with another Barclay's trader, in November 2010, saying 'if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying'. RBS will pay $395 million in criminal fines as part of their guilty fines.

PR and lobbying

Internal

In July 2008, The Telegraph wrote:

"Royal Bank of Scotland may be Scotland's national bank, but is it taking its patriotic duties too far? Its communications department is beginning to resemble an outpost of the Scottish National Party. Staff members in the press office include Andrew Wilson, a former Scottish National Party MSP, and Colin Pyle, who used to work for SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. And in the government relations team is Andrew Henderson, one of Salmond's drivers during the recent election."

• Roger Lowry, Head of public / government affairs, appointed January 2008. Ex public affairs chief at Ofcom.
• Andrew McLaughlin, Director, Group Economics and Corporate Affairs. After several years working in academia, McLaughlin was a corporate finance advisor with Ernst and Young before joining the RBS Group. He is a member of the University of Nottingham Globalisation and Economic Policy Advisory Board and a visiting professor at the University of Glasgow. He also sits on the CBI Economic and Tax Affairs Committee.
• Andrew Wilson, Head of Group Corporate Affairs. Former Scottish National Party MSP.

Lobbying firms

• Finsbury

Previous contracts

• Jefferson Communications, lobbying firm (RBS listed as a client in 2009)
• PHA Media was hired in January 2009 by Sir Fred Goodwin, widely dubbed ‘the world’s worst banker’, to help him cope with the media storm over the losses incurred by RBS in 2008/09.
• Media House International has been called in by RBS in early 2009 to handle its Scottish PR as it seeks to deal with the media fallout over RBS losses in Scotland, where it employs 22,000 people. RBS will ask Media House to liaise with Scottish media as it seeks to reassure customers, employees and stakeholders north of the border.
• Written Words, client
• Pinnacle PR, client
• Freshwater UK
• The European Sponsorship Association
• APCO
• Bell Pottinger Public Affairs
• Cicero
• Open Road
• Lansons Communications (RBS Insurance)

Revolving Door

• Quentin Davies, MP for Grantham and Stamford and currently a Minister at the Ministry of Defence was an Adviser to Royal Bank of Scotland Capital Markets from 1999 to 2003.
• Sir Philip Hampton, former CEO of UK Financial Investments Ltd, was appointed Deputy Chairman and Chairman-designate in 2009.
• U.K. Life Peer Denise Kingsmill, Baroness Kingsmill, has been a Senior Adviser to the Royal Bank of Scotland since 2005.
• Sir Steve Robson - former Managing Director of Finance, Regulation and Industry Directorate at HM Treasury was a Non-executive director of Royal Bank of Scotland from 2001 to 2009.
• U.K. Life Peer David Vallance, Lord Vallance of Tummel, was Non-executive Vice Chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland Group from 1994 to 2005.
• Gerald Wilson CB, former Head of Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department at the Scottish Executive was appointed a Special Adviser Public Affairs to Royal Bank of Scotland plc in February 2000.

Financial crisis 2009

In February 2009 it was announced that RBS had suffered the biggest loss in British corporate history - more than £24 billion. On 26 February the bank agreed terms with the government to take part in its asset protection scheme, which lets it pass most of the potential losses on its riskier assets on to the taxpayer. It has also raised up to £25.5billion in fresh funding from the UK taxpayer. Concerns that UK taxpayers could end up owning 95 per cent of the bank if its losses continued to mount were assuaged by August 2010 when RBS reported an operating profit of £1.6billion, with UK taxpayer ownership at 84 per cent.

People

Board members

• Sir Philip Hampton, chairman from January 2009. Replaced Sir Tom McKillop who was held responsible for the downfall of RBS in 2008/09.

Executive Directors

• Stephen Hester, Group Chief Executive, appointed to the Board on 1 October 2008 and to the position of Group Chief Executive on 21 November 2008. Took over from Sir Fred Goodwin in January 2009. Hester is former chief executive of British Land. He was previously chief operating officer of Abbey National plc and before that he also held positions with Credit Suisse First Boston. In February 2008, he was appointed non-executive deputy chairman of Northern Rock PLC, a position he relinquished on 1 October 2008.
• Bruce Van Saun, Group Finance Director (1 October 2009- )
• John Hourican, Chief Executive, Markets & International Banking (joined RBS Group in 1997)
• Chris Sullivan, Chief Executive, UK Corporate (08.2009- )
• Paul Geddes, Chief Executive, Direct Line Group (08.2009- )
• Ellen Alemany, Chief Executive, Citizens and Head of Americas (06.2007- )
• Ron Teerlink, Chief Administration Officer (04.2008- )
• Nathan Bostock, Head of Restructuring and Risk (01.06.2009- )
• Ross McEwan, Chief Executive, UK Retail (08.2012- )

Non-Executive Directors

• Sir Sandy Crombie (01.06.2009- )
• Alison Davis (01.08.2011- )
• Tony Di lorio (01.09.2011- )
• Penny Hughes (01.01.2010- )
• Joe MacHale (01.09.2004- ) He held a number of senior executive positions with J P Morgan between 1979 and 2001 and was latterly chief executive of J P Morgan Europe, Middle East and Africa Region.
• Brendan Nelson (01.04.2010- )
• Baroness Noakes (01.08.2011- )
• Arthur Ryan (01.10.2008- )
• Philip Scott (01.11.2009- )

Former Directors

Executive Directors

• Gordon Pell, former deputy chief executive, retired in March 2010 £13.5m pension pot.
• Guy Whittaker, former group finance director (01.02.2006-30.09.2009).
• Mark Fisher, former CEO (2006-2008).
• Sir Fred Goodwin, also known as 'Fred the Shred' for his ruthless cost-cutting exercises. Appointed to the Board in August 1998, Sir Fred Goodwin is a Chartered Accountant. He was formerly chief executive and director, Clydesdale Bank PLC and Yorkshire Bank PLC. He is chairman of The Prince's Trust and a former president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland. At one stage considered the most influential man in Scotland.
• Sir Tom McKillop (age 63), Former Chairman. Sir Tom is currently a non-executive director of BP plc and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Leicester. He was formerly chief executive of AstraZeneca PLC, president of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, and chairman of the British Pharma Group.
• Lawrence Fish, stood down as director in 2009.
• Johnny Cameron, director to early 2009.
• Stephen Lamport, former director and former diplomat. Lamport left RBS in 2007 to return to the employ of the Prince of Wales. Lamport is one of Charles's close advisers.
• Jim Currie
• Bill Friedrich (age 56), appointed to the Board in March 2006, Bill Friedrich is currently deputy chief executive of BG Group plc and prior to this he was corporate legal counsel to several of the world's leading financial institutions.
• Charles 'Bud' Koch (age 59), appointed to the Board in September 2004, Bud Koch is an American national. He has extensive professional experience in the USA and is currently chairman of the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, chairman of the board of John Carroll University and a trustee of Case Western Reserve University. He was the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Charter One Financial, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Charter One Bank, N.A between 1973 and 2004. He is also a director of Assurant, Inc.
• Janis Kong (age 55), appointed to the Board in January 2006, Janis Kong is currently a non-executive director of Portmeirion Group plc and a member of the board of Visit Britain. She was previously executive chairman of Heathrow Airport and director of BAA plc.
• Sir Steve Robson (age 62), appointed to the Board in July 2001. Sir Steve Robson is a former senior UK civil servant, who had responsibility for a wide variety of Treasury matters. His early career included the post of private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and secondment to ICFC, (now 3i). He was also a second permanent secretary of HM Treasury, where he was managing director of the Finance and Regulation Directorate. He is a non-executive director of JP Morgan Cazenove Holdings, Xstrata Plc and Partnerships UK plc, and a member of the Chairman's Advisory Committee of KPMG.
• Bob Scott (age 64), appointed to the Board in January 2001, Bob Scott is an Australian national. He is the senior independent director. Bob Scott has many years experience in the international insurance business and played a leading role in the consolidation of the UK insurance industry. He is a former group chief executive of CGNU plc and chairman of the board of the Association of British Insurers. He is chairman of Yell Group plc, a non-executive director of Swiss Reinsurance Company (Zurich), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc and Focus DIY Group Limited. He is also a trustee of the Crimestoppers Trust and an adviser to Duke Street Capital.
• Peter Sutherland (age 59), appointed to the Board in January 2001, Peter Sutherland is an Irish national. He is a former attorney general of Ireland and from 1985 to 1989 was the European commissioner responsible for competition policy. He is chairman of BP plc and Goldman Sachs International. He was formerly chairman of Allied Irish Bank and a director general of GATT and the World Trade Organisation.
• Eileen Mackay
• Angus Grossart stepped down as Vice Chair of the Board in April 2005. Noble Grossart, Alexander & Alexander, American Trust, National Galleries of Scotland, Scottish Investment Trust, Scottish Television, Edinburgh Fund Managers, Hewden Steuart, Murray International Holdings.
• The Rt. Hon Lord Younger of Prestwick, affiliated with Ayrshire Community Airport Project LTD, Banco de Santander, BCH Property LTD, Murray Income Trust PLC / International Trust / Johnstone Holdings / Smaller markets / Ventures PLC, Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Society, Scottish Partnership in Electronics for Effective Distribution, Siemens Plessey Electronics Systems LTD.
• Alexander Hamilton, affiliated with McGrigor Donald.
• Charles M. Winter, affiliated with Banco de Comercio e Industria SA, BCH Property LTD, Citizens Financial Group, Citizens UK, Edinburgh's Capital LTD, Scottish Financial Enterprise LTD, Williams & Glyn's Bank.
• Dr. George Mathewson, affiliated with Citizens Financial Group USA, Direct Line Insurance PLC, Eft Pos UK LTD, Interbank On-Line System LTD, RBSG (Europe) LTD, Royal Bank Group Services LTD, Royal Scottish Assurance PLC, Scottish Investment Trust PLC,
• The RT. Hon The Earl of Airlie, affiliated with General Accident , Baring Stratton Investment Trust PLC.
• Sir Michael Herries, affiliated with Banco de Santander, Daniel Thwaites PLC, Dumfries & Galloway Enterprise Co. LTD, Edinburgh Old Town Charitable Trust, Jardine Strategic Holdings (Bermuda), London Chamber of Commerce, The Scottish Mortgage & Trust PLC, Scottish Widows Fund & Life Assurance Society, The Whithorn Trust LTD.
• Sir Robin Duthie, affiliated with Scottish Advisory Board to BP, British Assets Trust, British Polythene Industries, Capital House Investment Management, Carclo Engineering Group PLC, Charterhouse Group, Insight International Tours, Investors Capital Trust PLC, Seacatch PLC, Tay Residential Homes.
• Maurice Blank, affiliated with Charterhouse PLC, Birthright, Business in the Community, Coats Viyella, Kingsley Estates, Pentos, Porter Chadburn PLC, Total Group PLC.
• Ian Grant, affiliated with Glenmoriston Estates LTD, Holland Pacific Fund, Pacific Assets Trust PLC, Worldwide Value Fund Inc.
• Henry Greig, affiliated with Horace Clarkson PLC, Charterhouse, James Purdey & Sons.
• John James, affiliated with Sun Alliance & London Insurance PLC, Grosvener Developments / Estate Holdings, Realty & General Insurances LTD.
• Dr Elizabeth Nelson, affiliated with Taylor Nelson /AGB PLC, Risc UK LTD.
• Kenneth Thompson, affiliated with Charterhouse Pensions, Leonard Matchan Fund LTD, Unitary Tax Campaign.
• Emilio Botin, affiliated with Banco de Santander / Argentina, Banco Espanol Chile, Banco Intercontinental Espanol, CC Bank Belgique, CC Bank Germany.
• George Graboys, affiliated with Citizens Financial Group.
• Jaime Botin, affiliated with Bankinter, Tharsis.
• David Robinson, affiliated with Banco de Comercio e Industria Portugal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
• Prof. Derek Channon, affiliated with The Management School, Imperial College, Bray Technologies, Stratpac LTD.
• The Hon Frederick Noel-Paton, affiliated with John Menzies PLC, General Accident PLC, Macallan-Glenlivet PLC, Pacific Assetts.
• Derek Weir, Managing Director, Corporate & Commercial Banking (to 2007).

Non-Executive Directors

• Colin Buchan
• Archie Hunter: Appointed to the Board in September 2004, Hunter is a Chartered Accountant. He was Scottish senior partner of KPMG between 1992 and 1999 and president of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 1997/8. He has extensive professional experience in the UK and North and South America. He is currently chairman of Macfarlane Group plc, a director of Edinburgh US Tracker Trust plc, Convenor of Court at the University of Strathclyde and a governor of the Beatson Cancer Research Institute.
• John McFarlane, appointed Oct 2008.
• Miller McLean (age 56), Miller McLean was appointed Group Secretary in August 1994. He is a trustee of the Industry and Parliament Trust, a non-executive chairman of The Whitehall and Industry Group and a director of The Scottish Parliament Business Exchange.

Affiliations

Think tanks and Institutes

• David Hume Institute provided funding between 2000 and 2004.
• Federal Trust, Jonathan Hoffman Chief European Economist, is on the Advisory council.

Contact

Address:

London HQ: 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AA

Edinburgh HQ: 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 2YB

Website:

http://www.rbs.co.uk/

This article is part of the Finance Lobbying project of Spinwatch

This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.

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