NatWest: Difference between revisions
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{{short description| |
{{short description|British retail and commercial bank}} |
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{{about|the retail bank|its direct parent company|NatWest Holdings|its ultimate parent company|NatWest Group}} |
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{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}} |
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{{Good article}} |
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{{Use British English|date=January 2014}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = National Westminster Bank Plc |
| name = National Westminster Bank Plc |
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| logo = |
| logo = Natwest logo.svg |
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| image = Natwest London Headquarters.jpg |
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| type = |
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| image_caption = NatWest's headquarters at 250 Bishopsgate in the [[City of London]] |
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| foundation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1968|}} |
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| trading_name = NatWest |
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| location = 250 [[Bishopsgate]],<br> London, E1 6AJ |
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| type = [[Privately held company|Private]] |
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| key_people = Sir [[Howard Davies (economist)|Howard Davies]], Chairman<br/>[[Alison Rose (banker)|Alison Rose]], Chief Executive Officer (CEO) |
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| former_name = National Westminster Bank Limited (1968–1981) |
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| industry = [[Financial Services]] |
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| foundation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1968|03|18|}} |
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| predecessor = [[National Provincial Bank]]<br>[[Westminster Bank]]<br>[[District Bank]] |
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| location = London, England, UK |
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| key_people = Chairman: [[Richard Haythornthwaite]] <br />Chief Executive: [[Paul Thwaite]] |
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| industry = [[Financial services]] |
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| products = Banking, Investments, Lending and Insurance |
| products = Banking, Investments, Lending and Insurance |
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| revenue = |
| revenue = |
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| num_employees = |
| num_employees = |
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| parent = [[NatWest Holdings]] |
| parent = [[NatWest Holdings]] |
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| subsid = [[Coutts]] |
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| homepage = {{url|www.natwest.com}} |
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| homepage = {{URL|https://natwest.com}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''National Westminster Bank''', |
'''National Westminster Bank Plc''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Westminster Bank plc {{!}} NatWest Group Heritage Hub |url=https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/national-westminster-bank-plc.html |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=www.natwestgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> [[trading as]] '''NatWest''',<ref>{{cite web |title=National Westminster Bank Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2019 |url=https://investors.natwestgroup.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR-V2/results-center/14feb2020/natwest-bank-plc-annual-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130215748/https://investors.natwestgroup.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR-V2/results-center/14feb2020/natwest-bank-plc-annual-report.pdf |archive-date=30 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=NatWest}}</ref> is a major [[Retail banking|retail]] and [[commercial bank]] in the [[United Kingdom]] based in London, England. It was established in 1968 by the [[Corporate merger|merger]] of [[National Provincial Bank]] and [[Westminster Bank]]. In 2000, it became part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, which was re-named [[NatWest Group]] in 2020. Following [[ringfencing]] of the group's core domestic business, the bank became a direct subsidiary of [[NatWest Holdings]]; [[NatWest Markets]] comprises the non-ringfenced [[investment banking]] arm. As of November 2024, the British government owns 10.9% of NatWest Group after spending £45 billion ($61.87 billion) bailing out the lender in 2008; the proportion at one point was 54.7%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-launches-share-sale-plan-natwest-2021-07-22/ |title=Britain unveils plan to return NatWest to majority private control |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916043541/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-launches-share-sale-plan-natwest-2021-07-22/ |archivedate=16 September 2021 |work=Reuters |date=22 July 2021 |accessdate= 16 September 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Strydom |first=Martin |date=2024-11-11 |title=NatWest buys back £1bn of shares from Treasury |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/natwest-buys-back-1bn-of-shares-from-treasury-t6mmcxz6b |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=[[The Times]]|language=en}}</ref> [[NatWest International]] is a trading name of RBS International, which also sits outside the ringfence. |
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NatWest is considered one of the [[Big Four (banking)|Big Four]] [[Cheque and Credit Clearing Company|clearing banks]] in the UK,<ref>{{cite |
NatWest is considered one of the [[Big Four (banking)#United Kingdom|Big Four]] [[Cheque and Credit Clearing Company|clearing banks]] in the UK,<ref>{{cite news|last=Kar-Gupta |first=Sudip |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-banks-idUSL5E7K111Q20110901 |title=UK banks prepare for inevitable shake-up |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415115214/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/01/britain-banks-idUSL5E7K111Q20110901 |archivedate=15 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kar-Gupta |first=Sudip |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-banks-alexander-idUSWLA767320110410 |title=UK to prioritise taxpayers as bank shake-up looms |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152317/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/10/britain-banks-alexander-idUSWLA767320110410 |archivedate=24 September 2015 |work=Reuters |date=10 April 2011 |accessdate= 14 April 2014}}</ref> and it has a large network of over 526 [[Branch (banking)|branches]]<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS and NatWest to shed 158 branches and more than 400 jobs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39368740 |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=23 March 2017 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324120121/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39368740 |url-status=live }}</ref> and 3,400 [[Automated teller machine|cash machines]] across [[Great Britain]] and offers 24-hour ''Actionline'' telephone and [[online banking]] services. Today, it has more than 7.5 million personal customers and 850,000 small business accounts. In [[Northern Ireland]], it operates through the [[Ulster Bank]] brand. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{ |
{{Further|National Provincial Bank|Westminster Bank|District Bank}} |
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[[ |
[[File:NatWestLB.JPG|thumb|The NatWest branch at [[Leighton Buzzard]], Bedfordshire, an example of [[Neo-Renaissance]] architecture]] |
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The bank's origins date back to 1658 with the foundation of [[Smith's Bank]] of [[Nottingham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rbs.com/about03.asp?id=ABOUT_US/OUR_HERITAGE/OUR_ARCHIVES/ONLINE_ARCHIVE_GUIDE/THE_ARCHIVE_GUIDE/SMITH_SAMUEL_CO_NOTTINGHAM |title=The Archive Guide: Samuel Smith & Co. |website=The Royal Bank of Scotland Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204013339/http://www.rbs.com/about03.asp?id=ABOUT_US%2FOUR_HERITAGE%2FOUR_ARCHIVES%2FONLINE_ARCHIVE_GUIDE%2FTHE_ARCHIVE_GUIDE%2FSMITH_SAMUEL_CO_NOTTINGHAM |archive-date=4 December 2008 |access-date=5 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its oldest direct corporate ancestor, [[National Provincial Bank]], was formed in 1833 as the National Provincial Bank of England. It merged with Union of London and Smith's Bank in 1918 to become National Provincial and Union Bank, shortening its name in 1924. [[District Bank]] (formed in 1829 as the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company) was acquired by National Provincial in 1962 and allowed to operate under its own name. [[Westminster Bank]] was formed in 1834 as London and Westminster Bank. It merged with London and County Bank in 1909 to become London County and Westminster Bank and with Parr's Bank in 1918 to become London County Westminster and Parrs Bank, shortening its name in 1923. |
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=== Early history (1658–1970s) === |
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The creation of the modern bank was announced in 1968 and commenced trading on 1 January 1970 after the statutory process of integration had been completed in 1969.<ref>National Westminster Bank Act 1969 and National Westminster Bank Act 1969 (Appointed Day) Order 1969; registered in England and Wales under the [[Companies Act 1985]], No. 929027</ref> The three arrowheads symbol was adopted as the new bank's logo; it is said to symbolise either the circulation of money in the financial system or the bank's three constituents.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Steven|first1=Rachael|title=Old meets new in NatWest rebrand|url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/old-meets-new-natwest-rebrand/|accessdate=7 October 2016|work=Creative Review|date=4 October 2016}}</ref> The District, National Provincial and Westminster banks were fully integrated in the new firm's structure, but private bankers [[Coutts & Co.]] (a 1920 National Provincial acquisition, established 1692), [[Ulster Bank]] in Northern Ireland (a 1917 Westminster acquisition, established 1836) and the [[Isle of Man Bank]] (a 1961 National Provincial acquisition, established 1865) continued as separate operations. Westminster Foreign Bank (established 1913) was restyled [[International Westminster Bank]] in 1973. Duncan Stirling, outgoing chairman of Westminster Bank, became first chairman of the fifth largest bank in the world.<ref>Mosley, Charles (ed.) ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage'' (107th ed.) vol.1 (p.1233) Burke's Peerage and Gentry, Wilmington, 2003</ref> In 1969 David Robarts, former chairman of National Provincial, assumed Stirling's position.<ref>Hast, Adele (ed.) [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/NATIONAL-WESTMINSTER-BANK-PLC-Company-History.html Company History: National Westminster Bank] ''International Directory of Company Histories'' (vol.2) St. James Press, Chicago, 1988</ref> In 1975 it was one of the first London banks to open a representative office in [[Scotland]]. It was a founder member of the Joint Credit Card Company (with [[Lloyds Bank]], [[Midland Bank]] and [[Williams & Glyn's Bank]]) which launched the [[Access (credit card)|Access]] credit card (now part of [[MasterCard]]) in 1972 and in 1976 it introduced the ''Servicetill'' cash machine. The same banks, excluding Lloyds, were later responsible for the introduction of the [[Switch (debit card)|Switch]] [[debit card]] (later branded [[Maestro (debit card)|Maestro]]) in 1988.<ref>[http://www.apacs.org.uk/payment_options/documents/Plastic%20Cards%20_%20History%20of%20Plastic%20Cards%20in%20the%20UK%20v1.pdf History of Plastic Cards] The Association for Payment Clearing Services, 9 January 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008191503/http://www.apacs.org.uk/payment_options/documents/Plastic%20Cards%20_%20History%20of%20Plastic%20Cards%20in%20the%20UK%20v1.pdf |date=8 October 2007 }}</ref> |
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The bank's origins date back to 1658 with the foundation of [[Smith's Bank]] of [[Nottingham]].<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/smith-and-co-nottingham.html Samuel Smith & Co (Nottingham)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809170609/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/smith-and-co-nottingham.html |date=9 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> Its oldest direct corporate ancestor, [[National Provincial Bank]], was formed in 1833 as the National Provincial Bank of England. It merged with Union of London and Smith's Bank in 1918 to become National Provincial and Union Bank, shortening its name in 1924.<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/national-provincial-bank-ltd.html National Provincial Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806063601/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/national-provincial-bank-ltd.html |date=6 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> [[District Bank]] (formed in 1829 as the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company) was acquired by National Provincial in 1962 and allowed to operate under its own name.<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/district-bank-ltd.html District Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813141003/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/district-bank-ltd.html |date=13 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> [[Westminster Bank]] was formed in 1834 as London and Westminster Bank. It merged with London and County Bank in 1909 to become London County and Westminster Bank and with Parr's Bank in 1918 to become London County Westminster and Parrs Bank, shortening its name in 1923.<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/westminster-bank-ltd.html Westminster Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809165228/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/westminster-bank-ltd.html |date=9 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> |
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The creation of the modern bank was announced in 1968 and commenced trading on 1 January 1970 after the statutory process of integration had been completed in 1969.<ref>National Westminster Bank Act 1969 and National Westminster Bank Act 1969 (Appointed Day) Order 1969; registered in England and Wales under the [[Companies Act 1985]], No. 929027</ref> The three arrowheads device was adopted as the new bank's logo; it is said to symbolise either the circulation of money in the financial system or the bank's three constituents.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steven |first=Rachael |title=Old meets new in NatWest rebrand |url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/old-meets-new-natwest-rebrand/ |work=Creative Review |date=4 October 2016 |access-date=7 October 2016 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005192749/https://www.creativereview.co.uk/old-meets-new-natwest-rebrand/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The District, National Provincial and Westminster banks were fully integrated in the new firm's structure, but private bankers [[Coutts|Coutts & Co]] (a 1920 National Provincial acquisition, established 1692), [[Ulster Bank]] in Northern Ireland (a 1917 Westminster acquisition, established 1836) and the [[Isle of Man Bank]] (a 1961 National Provincial acquisition, established 1865) continued as separate operations. Westminster Foreign Bank (established 1913) was restyled [[International Westminster Bank]] in 1973. Duncan Stirling, outgoing chairman of Westminster Bank, became first chairman of the fifth-largest bank in the world.<ref>Mosley, Charles (ed.) ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage'' (107th ed.) vol.1 (p.1233) Burke's Peerage and Gentry, Wilmington, 2003</ref> In 1969 David Robarts, former chairman of National Provincial, assumed Stirling's position.<ref>Hast, Adele (ed.) [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/NATIONAL-WESTMINSTER-BANK-PLC-Company-History.html Company History: National Westminster Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201223703/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/NATIONAL-WESTMINSTER-BANK-PLC-Company-History.html |date=1 December 2007 }} ''International Directory of Company Histories'' (vol.2) St. James Press, Chicago, 1988</ref> In 1975 it was one of the first London banks to open a representative office in [[Scotland]]. It was a founder member of the Joint Credit Card Company (with [[Lloyds Bank]], [[Midland Bank]] and [[Williams & Glyn's Bank]]) which launched the [[Access (credit card)|Access]] credit card (now part of [[Mastercard]]) in 1972 and in 1976 it introduced the ''Servicetill'' cash machine. The same banks, excluding Lloyds, were later responsible for the introduction of the [[Switch (debit card)|Switch]] [[debit card]] (later branded [[Maestro (debit card)|Maestro]]) in 1988.<ref>[http://www.apacs.org.uk/payment_options/documents/Plastic%20Cards%20_%20History%20of%20Plastic%20Cards%20in%20the%20UK%20v1.pdf History of Plastic Cards] The Association for Payment Clearing Services, 9 January 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008191503/http://www.apacs.org.uk/payment_options/documents/Plastic%20Cards%20_%20History%20of%20Plastic%20Cards%20in%20the%20UK%20v1.pdf |date=8 October 2007}}</ref> |
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===Expansion=== |
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[[File:NatWest Castle Street.jpg|thumb|left|The circular banking hall at [[National Westminster Bank, Liverpool|Castle Street, Liverpool]], a Grade II* [[listed building]].]] |
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Deregulation in the 1980s, culminating in the [[Big Bang (financial markets)|Big Bang]] in 1986, also encouraged the bank to enter the securities business. County Bank, its [[merchant bank]]ing subsidiary formed in 1965, acquired various [[brokerage firm|stockbroking]] and jobbing firms to create the investment banking arm [[County NatWest]]. National Westminster Home Loans was established in 1980 and other initiatives included the launch of the Piggy Account for children in 1983, the Credit Zone, a flexible overdraft facility on which customers only pay interest (now commonplace, this so-called ''pink'' debt was innovative when launched) and the development of the [[Mondex]] [[electronic purse]] (later sold to MasterCard Worldwide) in 1990.<ref>Srivastava, Lara and Mansell, Robin [http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/spru/publications/imprint/sewps/sewp23/sewp23.pdf Electronic Cash and the Innovation Process: A User Paradigm] Electronic Working Papers Series, no.23 (p.5) University of Sussex, Science Policy Research Unit, March 1998</ref> ''The Action Bank'' advertising campaign spearheaded a new marketing-led approach to business development. Under the direction of [[Robin Leigh-Pemberton]], later Lord Kingsdown, who became chairman in 1977, the bank also expanded internationally, forming [[National Westminster Bank USA|National Westminster Bancorp]] in the United States of America with a network of 340 branches across two states, [[National Westminster Bank of Canada]] and NatWest Australia Bank; and opening branches on the European continent and in the Far East.<ref>[http://www.rbs.com/content/about_us/our_heritage/our_history/our_banking_family/present_day/downloads/NatWest.pdf A short history of National Westminster Bank] The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, 2005 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030065420/http://www.rbs.com/content/about_us/our_heritage/our_history/our_banking_family/present_day/downloads/NatWest.pdf |date=30 October 2007 }}</ref> In 1982, the [[Frankfurt]] office of International Westminster Bank merged with Global Bank AG to form Deutsche Westminster Bank. In 1985, [[Banco NatWest España]] was formed and National Westminster Bank SA was incorporated in 1988, taking over the bank's six branches in France and [[Monaco]]. In 1989, International Westminster Bank was merged into National Westminster Bank by Act of Parliament. |
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=== Expansion (1980s) === |
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[[File:Tower_42_looking_north_from_Bishopsgate_2011-05-04.jpg|thumb|The former NatWest Tower (now known as Tower 42), from the junction of [[Bishopsgate]] with [[Leadenhall Street]] in the [[City of London]].]] |
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[[File:NatWest Castle Street.jpg|thumb|left|The circular banking hall at [[National Westminster Bank, Liverpool|Castle Street, Liverpool]], a Grade II* [[listed building]]]] |
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Completed in 1980, the bank built the [[National Westminster Tower]] (now known as Tower 42) in London to serve as its international headquarters. At a height of 600 feet (183 m) it was the tallest building in the UK until the topping-out of [[One Canada Square|Canary Wharf Tower]] 10 years later;<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/134783.stm Famous tower sold for top price] BBC News, 17 July 1998 19:59 BST</ref> its footprint loosely approximating the bank's logo when viewed from the air,<ref>Goodway, Nick [https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/outdated-and-second-best-its-time-for-the-fall-of-tower-42-6459424.html Outdated and second best, its time for the fall of Tower 42] ''London Evening Standard'', 15 April 2010</ref> although the architect claimed the similarity was coincidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uwe.port.ac.uk/commercial_new/structures/section15.htm |title=An Introduction to Building Structures |website=University of the West of England |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222161407/http://www.uwe.port.ac.uk/commercial_new/structures/section15.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> Also worthy of note is [[National Westminster House]] (since renamed as 103 Colmore Row) in [[Birmingham]]: the building was sold to [[British Land]] in 2007<ref>{{cite news|last=Pain |first=Steve |date=17 January 2007 |title=British Land snaps up NatWest building |url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/business/tm_headline=british-land-snaps-up-natwest-building%26method=full%26objectid=18489734%26siteid=50002-name_page.html |newspaper=The Birmingham Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219171035/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/business/tm_headline%3Dbritish-land-snaps-up-natwest-building%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18489734%26siteid%3D50002-name_page.html |archive-date=19 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and demolished in 2015. |
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Deregulation in the 1980s, culminating in the [[Big Bang (financial markets)|Big Bang]] in 1986, also encouraged the bank to enter the securities business. County Bank, its [[merchant bank]]ing subsidiary formed in 1965, acquired various [[Brokerage firm|stockbroking]] and jobbing firms to create the investment banking arm [[County NatWest]]. National Westminster Home Loans was established in 1980 and other initiatives included the launch of the Piggy Account for children in 1983, the Credit Zone, a flexible overdraft facility on which customers only pay interest (now commonplace, this so-called ''pink'' debt was innovative when launched) and the development of the [[Mondex]] [[electronic purse]] (later sold to MasterCard Worldwide) in 1990.<ref>Srivastava, Lara and Mansell, Robin [http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/spru/publications/imprint/sewps/sewp23/sewp23.pdf Electronic Cash and the Innovation Process: A User Paradigm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228231524/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/spru/publications/imprint/sewps/sewp23/sewp23.pdf |date=28 February 2008 }} Electronic Working Papers Series, no.23 (p.5) University of Sussex, Science Policy Research Unit, March 1998</ref> ''The Action Bank'' advertising campaign spearheaded a new marketing-led approach to business development. Under the direction of [[Robin Leigh-Pemberton]], who became chairman in 1977, the bank also expanded internationally, forming [[National Westminster Bank USA|National Westminster Bancorp]] in the United States of America with a network of 340 branches across two states, [[National Westminster Bank of Canada]] and NatWest Australia Bank; and opening branches on the European continent and in the Far East.<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/national-westminster-bank-plc.html National Westminster Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811094016/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/national-westminster-bank-plc.html |date=11 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> In 1982, the [[Frankfurt]] office of International Westminster Bank merged with Global Bank AG to form Deutsche Westminster Bank. In 1985, [[Banco NatWest España]] was formed and National Westminster Bank SA was incorporated in 1988, taking over the bank's six branches in France and [[Monaco]]. In 1989, International Westminster Bank was merged into National Westminster Bank by Act of Parliament.<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/international-westminster-bank-ltd.html International Westminster Bank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815043953/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/companies/international-westminster-bank-ltd.html |date=15 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 19 August 2020)</ref> |
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[[File:Tower 42 looking north from Bishopsgate_2011-05-04.jpg|thumb|The former NatWest Tower (now known as [[Tower 42]]), seen from the junction of [[Bishopsgate]] with [[Leadenhall Street]] in the [[City of London]]]] |
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===Controversy=== |
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The bank was hit by the [[Black Monday (1987)|stock market crash of 1987]] and involvement in the collapse of [[Blue Arrow]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/619438.stm|title=BBC News {{!}} BUSINESS {{!}} NatWest: A history|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> The [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]] report on the affair was critical of the bank's management and resulted in the resignation of several members of the board, including then-chairman [[Lord Boardman]].<ref>Stanley, Christopher [https://books.google.com/books?id=wojJC3wjUQ4C&printsec=frontcover Cultural Contradictions in the Legitimation of Market Practice: Paradox in the Regulation of the City] in Budd, Leslie and Whimster, Sam (eds.) ''Global Finance and Urban Living: A Study of Metropolitan Change'' (pp.158–160) Routledge, London, 1992</ref> Later, the bank would divest its overseas subsidiaries. The North American operations were sold to [[FleetBoston Financial|Fleet Bank]] and [[HSBC Bank Canada|Hong Kong Bank of Canada]], and the Australian and New Zealand branches were sold to [[Salomon Smith Barney]] and the [[National Australia Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/NatWest+in+pounds+52m+sell-off.-a060790520|title=NatWest in pounds 52m sell-off|publisher=Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd|date=10 February 1998}}</ref> Thereafter the bank concentrated on its core domestic business as the restyled NatWest Group, reflecting its modern positioning as a portfolio of businesses.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/story_ban250200.shtml National Westminster Bank loses fight for independence] BBC World Service, broadcast 25 February 2000</ref> In 1993, the NatWest Tower was devastated by a [[Provisional IRA]] bomb and the bank vacated the building and later sold it.<ref>De Baróid, Ciarán ''Ballymurphy and the Irish War'' (p.325) Pluto Press, London, 2000</ref> Then, in 1997, [[NatWest Markets]], the corporate and [[investment banking]] arm formed in 1992, revealed that a £50m loss had been discovered, revised to £90.5m after further investigations. Investor and shareholder confidence was so badly shaken that the [[Bank of England]] had to instruct the board of directors to resist calls for the resignation of its most senior executives in an effort to draw a line under the affair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.erisk.com/Learning/CaseStudies/NatWestCaseStudy.pdf |title=Case Study: NatWest Markets |last=Wolfe |first=Eric |date=October 2001 |website=BancWare ERisk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030193739/http://www.erisk.com/Learning/CaseStudies/NatWestCaseStudy.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2008}}</ref> The bank's internal controls and risk management were severely criticised in 2000 and its aggressive push into investment banking questioned, after a lengthy investigation by the Securities and Futures Authority.<ref>[http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/additional/sfa008-00.pdf SFA Disciplines NatWest and Two Individuals] Financial Services Authority, 18 May 2000</ref> The bank's move into complicated derivative products that it did not fully understand seemed to indicate poor management. By the end of 1997 parts of NatWest Markets had been sold, others becoming [[Greenwich NatWest]] in 1998.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=23686 Natwest Group Announces £1,011m Profit for 1997] PR Newswire Europe, 1998</ref> |
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Completed in 1980, the bank built the National Westminster Tower (now known as [[Tower 42]]) in London to serve as its international headquarters. At a height of 600 feet (183 m) it was the tallest building in the UK until the topping-out of [[One Canada Square|Canary Wharf Tower]] 10 years later;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/134783.stm |title=Famous tower sold for top price |work=BBC News |date=17 July 1998}}</ref> its footprint loosely approximating the bank's logo when viewed from the air,<ref>Goodway, Nick [https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/outdated-and-second-best-its-time-for-the-fall-of-tower-42-6459424.html Outdated and second best, its time for the fall of Tower 42] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005159/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/outdated-and-second-best-its-time-for-the-fall-of-tower-42-6459424.html |date=12 February 2018 }}, ''[[Evening Standard]]'', 15 April 2010</ref> although the architect claimed the similarity was coincidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uwe.port.ac.uk/commercial_new/structures/section15.htm |title=An Introduction to Building Structures |website=University of the West of England |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222161407/http://www.uwe.port.ac.uk/commercial_new/structures/section15.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> Also worthy of note is [[National Westminster House]] (since renamed as 103 Colmore Row) in [[Birmingham]]: the building was sold to [[British Land]] in 2007<ref>{{cite news|last=Pain |first=Steve |date=17 January 2007 |title=British Land snaps up NatWest building |url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/business/tm_headline=british-land-snaps-up-natwest-building%26method=full%26objectid=18489734%26siteid=50002-name_page.html |newspaper=The Birmingham Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219171035/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/business/tm_headline%3Dbritish-land-snaps-up-natwest-building%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18489734%26siteid%3D50002-name_page.html |archive-date=19 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and demolished in 2015. |
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===Takeover=== |
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[[File:Oldtownhall 766.JPG|thumb|right|The old Town Hall at [[Ealing]], London, built by Charles Jones in 1872, now a NatWest branch.<ref>[http://www.ealingcivicsociety.org/downloads/Listed%20buildings.pdf Statutory and locally listed buildings in the London Borough of Ealing] Ealing Civic Society. Retrieved 5 January 2015</ref>]] |
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In 1999, the chairman, [[Lord Alexander of Weedon]], announced a merger with [[Legal & General]] in a friendly £10.7 billion deal, the first between a [[bancassurance|bank and an insurance company]] in UK history.<ref>Buckingham, Lisa et al. [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/03/20 NatWest pounces on L&G with £11bn takeover bid] ''The Guardian'', 3 September 1999</ref> The move was poorly received in the London financial markets and NatWest's share price fell substantially.<ref>Treanor, Jill and Buckingham, Lisa [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/07/7 NatWest forced to defend merger] ''The Guardian'', 7 September 1999</ref> Seen as a driver of the ill-advised investment banking expansion, [[Derek Wanless]] was forced to resign as chief executive following the appointment of Sir David Rowland (who became executive chairman).<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1679718.stm Profile: Derek Wanless] BBC News, 25 February 2004. Retrieved 24 January 2014</ref> Also in 1999, in response to the much reduced NatWest market capitalisation, the much smaller [[Bank of Scotland]] made a hostile takeover bid for NatWest. The Bank of Scotland's aim was to break up the NatWest Group and dispose of its non-retail assets. NatWest was forced to abandon its merger, but refused to agree to a takeover by a rival bank.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/24/4 NatWest rejects takeover bid] ''The Guardian'', 24 September 1999</ref> The [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] tabled another hostile offer and trumped the Bank of Scotland with a £21 billion bid.<ref>Farrelly, Paul [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/nov/28/observerbusiness.royalbankofscotlandgroup RBS issues ultimatum in £27bn bid for NatWest] The Observer, 28 November 1999</ref> The takeover of NatWest in early 2000 was the biggest in UK history. Once Britain's most profitable bank, it was delisted from the [[London Stock Exchange]] and became, with its subsidiaries, component parts of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.<ref>Treanor, Jill [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2000/feb/12/business.personalfinancenews NatWest runs up white flag] ''The Guardian'', 12 February 2000</ref> The outcome of this bitter struggle set the tone for a round of consolidation in the financial sector as it prepared for a new age of fierce global competition.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/621211.stm NatWest takeover battle] BBC News, 11 February 2000. Retrieved 24 January 2014</ref> The Royal Bank of Scotland Group became the second largest bank in the UK and Europe (after [[HSBC]]) and the fifth largest in the world by [[market capitalisation]]. According to [[Forbes Global 2000]], it was then the 13th largest company in the world.<ref>DeCarlo, Scott (ed.) [https://www.forbes.com/2007/03/29/forbes-global-2000-biz-07forbes2000-cz_sd_0329global_land.html The World's 2,000 Largest Public Companies] ''Forbes'', Special Report, 29 March 2007</ref> NatWest was retained as a distinct brand with its own [[banking licence]], but many back office functions were merged with those of the Royal Bank, leading to over 18,000 job losses. |
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=== Controversy (1980s–1990s) === |
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===Attempted divestment=== |
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The bank was hit by the [[Black Monday (1987)|stock market crash of 1987]] and involvement in the collapse of [[Blue Arrow]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/619438.stm|work=BBC News |title=BUSINESS {{!}} NatWest: A history|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923085646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/619438.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]] report on the affair was critical of the bank's management and resulted in the resignation of several members of the board, including then-chairman [[Lord Boardman]].<ref>Stanley, Christopher [https://books.google.com/books?id=wojJC3wjUQ4C Cultural Contradictions in the Legitimation of Market Practice: Paradox in the Regulation of the City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425183724/https://books.google.com/books?id=wojJC3wjUQ4C |date=25 April 2023 }} in Budd, Leslie and Whimster, Sam (eds.) ''Global Finance and Urban Living: A Study of Metropolitan Change'' (pp.158–160) Routledge, London, 1992</ref> Later, the bank would divest its overseas subsidiaries. The North American operations were sold to [[FleetBoston Financial|Fleet Bank]] and [[HSBC Bank Canada|Hong Kong Bank of Canada]], and the Australian and New Zealand branches were sold to [[Salomon Smith Barney]] and the [[National Australia Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/NatWest+in+pounds+52m+sell-off.-a060790520|title=NatWest in pounds 52m sell-off|publisher=Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd|date=10 February 1998|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093832/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/NatWest+in+pounds+52m+sell-off.-a060790520|url-status=live}}</ref> Thereafter the bank concentrated on its core domestic business as the restyled NatWest Group, reflecting its modern positioning as a portfolio of businesses.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/story_ban250200.shtml National Westminster Bank loses fight for independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307181258/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/story_ban250200.shtml |date=7 March 2005 }} BBC World Service, broadcast 25 February 2000</ref> In the [[1993 Bishopsgate bombing]], the [[Tower 42|NatWest Tower]] was devastated by a [[Provisional IRA]] bomb and the bank vacated the building and later sold it.<ref>De Baróid, Ciarán ''Ballymurphy and the Irish War'' (p.325) Pluto Press, London, 2000</ref> Then, in 1997, [[NatWest Markets]], the corporate and [[investment banking]] arm formed in 1992, revealed that a £50 million loss had been discovered, revised to £90.5 million after further investigations. Investor and shareholder confidence was so badly shaken that the [[Bank of England]] had to instruct the board of directors to resist calls for the resignation of its most senior executives in an effort to draw a line under the affair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.erisk.com/Learning/CaseStudies/NatWestCaseStudy.pdf |title=Case Study: NatWest Markets |last=Wolfe |first=Eric |date=October 2001 |website=BancWare ERisk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030193739/http://www.erisk.com/Learning/CaseStudies/NatWestCaseStudy.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2008}}</ref> The bank's internal controls and risk management were severely criticised in 2000 and its aggressive push into investment banking questioned, after a lengthy investigation by the Securities and Futures Authority.<ref>[http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/additional/sfa008-00.pdf SFA Disciplines NatWest and Two Individuals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228231525/http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/additional/sfa008-00.pdf |date=28 February 2008 }} Financial Services Authority, 18 May 2000</ref> The bank's move into complicated derivative products that it did not fully understand seemed to indicate poor management. By the end of 1997 parts of NatWest Markets had been sold, others becoming [[Greenwich NatWest]] in 1998.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=23686 Natwest Group Announces £1,011m Profit for 1997] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608081023/http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=23686 |date=8 June 2011 }} PR Newswire Europe, 1998</ref> It had purchased Gleason Partners in 1996 for $135 million only to resell it back to GP's founder for just $4 million 3 years later in 1999, a whopping $131 million loss. |
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{{details|Williams & Glyn}} |
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In 2008, it was announced that [[HM Government]] would take a stake of up to 58% in the Royal Bank of Scotland in a move aimed at recapitalising the Group. [[HM Treasury]] subscribed for £5 billion in preference shares and underwrote the issuance of £15bn of new ordinary shares offered to RBS shareholders and new institutional shareholders at the fixed price of 65.5p.<ref>{{cite news |title=UK banks' £37bn bail-out unveiled |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7666570.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=13 October 2008 |accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref> As a consequence of the mismanagement which necessitated this rescue, the chief executive, [[Fred Goodwin]] (who secured the takeover of NatWest), offered his resignation, which was duly accepted. Chairman [[Sir Tom McKillop]] also confirmed he would stand down from that role when his contract expired in 2009. Goodwin was replaced by [[Stephen Hester]], previously chief executive of [[British Land]]. |
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=== Takeover (1990s–2000s) === |
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In 2009 the RBS Group announced that it would divest all 311 RBS branches in England and Wales (until 1985, Williams and Glyn's) together with the seven NatWest branches in Scotland as a standalone business, to comply with [[European Commission]] state aid requirements.<ref>{{cite news|title=RBS shares drop on surprise EU divestment demands|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/6484626/RBS-shares-drop-on-surprise-EU-divestment-demands.html|accessdate=2 November 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=2 November 2009}}</ref><ref>Dey, Iain [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article6832279.ece RBS to relaunch historic Williams & Glyn's brand after 24 year absence] The Sunday Times, 13 September 2009</ref> In August 2010, it was announced that the branches would be sold to [[Santander UK]], along with the accounts of 1.8 million personal customers and 244,000 SME customers.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS sells 318 branches to Santander |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10862690 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 August 2010 |accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref> Santander withdrew from the sale in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS sale of 316 branches to Santander collapses |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19929376 |publisher=BBC News |date=12 October 2012 |accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref> On 27 September 2013, the RBS Group confirmed it had agreed to sell 308 RBS branches in England and Wales and 6 NatWest branches in Scotland to the Corsair consortium. This figure was reduced to 307 by May 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunkley |first=Emma |date=28 May 2015 |title=RBS may need to beef up Williams & Glyn business |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d06a33e4-052f-11e5-8612-00144feabdc0.html |work=Financial Times |accessdate=2 November 2015 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The branches were to have been separated from the group in 2016 as a standalone business operating under the previously dormant [[Williams & Glyn's Bank|Williams & Glyn's]] brand.<ref>{{cite news|last1=MacLellan|first1=Kylie|last2=Slater|first2=Steve|title=RBS appoints BoAML to ready 2016 listing of Williams & Glyn|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/09/13/uk-rbs-ipo-idUKKCN0RD0BX20150913|accessdate=2 November 2015|agency=Reuters|date=13 September 2015}}</ref> |
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[[File:Oldtownhall 766.JPG|thumb|right|The old Town Hall at [[Ealing]], London, built by Charles Jones in 1872, now a NatWest branch<ref>[http://www.ealingcivicsociety.org/downloads/Listed%20buildings.pdf Statutory and locally listed buildings in the London Borough of Ealing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032742/http://www.ealingcivicsociety.org/downloads/Listed%20buildings.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} Ealing Civic Society. Retrieved 5 January 2015</ref>]] |
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In 1999, the chairman, [[Lord Alexander of Weedon]], announced a merger with [[Legal & General]] in a friendly £10.7 billion deal, the first between a [[bancassurance|bank and an insurance company]] in UK history.<ref>Buckingham, Lisa et al. [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/03/20 NatWest pounces on L&G with £11bn takeover bid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510202959/https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/03/20 |date=10 May 2017 }} ''The Guardian'', 3 September 1999</ref> The move was poorly received in the London financial markets and NatWest's share price fell substantially.<ref>Treanor, Jill and Buckingham, Lisa [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/07/7 NatWest forced to defend merger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510203140/https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/07/7 |date=10 May 2017 }} ''The Guardian'', 7 September 1999</ref> Seen as a driver of the ill-advised investment banking expansion, [[Derek Wanless]] was forced to resign as chief executive following the appointment of Sir David Rowland (who became executive chairman).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1679718.stm |title=Profile: Derek Wanless |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628190124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1679718.stm |archivedate=28 June 2004 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2004 |accessdate= 24 January 2014}}</ref> Also in 1999, in response to the much reduced NatWest market capitalisation, the much smaller [[Bank of Scotland]] made a hostile takeover bid for NatWest. The Bank of Scotland's aim was to break up the NatWest Group and dispose of its non-retail assets. NatWest was forced to abandon its merger, but refused to agree to a takeover by a rival bank.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/24/4 NatWest rejects takeover bid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510202505/https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/sep/24/4 |date=10 May 2017 }} ''The Guardian'', 24 September 1999</ref> The [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] tabled another hostile offer, of £21 billion, outbidding the Bank of Scotland.<ref>Farrelly, Paul [https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/nov/28/observerbusiness.royalbankofscotlandgroup RBS issues ultimatum in £27bn bid for NatWest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041321/https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/nov/28/observerbusiness.royalbankofscotlandgroup |date=26 September 2017 }}, ''The Observer'', 28 November 1999</ref> The takeover of NatWest in early 2000 was the biggest in UK history. Once Britain's most profitable bank, it was delisted from the [[London Stock Exchange]] and became, with its subsidiaries, component parts of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.<ref>Treanor, Jill [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2000/feb/12/business.personalfinancenews NatWest runs up white flag] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927190810/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2000/feb/12/business.personalfinancenews |date=27 September 2016 }}, ''The Guardian'', 12 February 2000</ref> The outcome of this bitter struggle set the tone for a round of consolidation in the financial sector as it prepared for a new age of fierce global competition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/621211.stm |title=NatWest takeover battle |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213035152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/621211.stm |archivedate=13 February 2007 |work=BBC News |date=11 February 2000 |accessdate= 24 January 2014}}</ref> The Royal Bank of Scotland Group became the second-largest bank in the UK and Europe (after [[HSBC]]) and the fifth-largest in the world by [[market capitalisation]]. According to [[Forbes Global 2000]], it was then the 13th-largest company in the world.<ref>DeCarlo, Scott (ed.) [https://www.forbes.com/2007/03/29/forbes-global-2000-biz-07forbes2000-cz_sd_0329global_land.html The World's 2,000 Largest Public Companies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813085815/https://www.forbes.com/2007/03/29/forbes-global-2000-biz-07forbes2000-cz_sd_0329global_land.html |date=13 August 2017 }}, ''Forbes'', Special Report, 29 March 2007</ref> NatWest was retained as a distinct brand with its own [[banking licence]], but many back office functions were merged with those of the Royal Bank, leading to over 18,000 job losses. |
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=== Attempted divestment (2008–2017) === |
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In August 2016, RBS cancelled its plan to spin off Williams & Glyn as a separate business, stating that the new bank could not survive independently. It revealed it would instead seek to sell the division to another bank.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS cancels Williams & Glyn project and loses another £2bn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/05/rbs-cancels-williams--glyn-project-and-loses-another-2bn/ |accessdate=5 August 2016| work=The Telegraph|date=5 August 2016}}</ref> In February 2017, HM Treasury and the European Commission reached a provisional agreement in which RBS would be able to retain the Williams & Glyn assets in return for investing £750 million into a fund aimed at increasing SME lending by challenger banks and for RBS agreeing to allow SME customers of challenger banks to use its branch network for cash and cheque handling.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite newspaper|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/17/royal-bank-scotland-calls-halt-troublesome-williams-glyn-disposal/|title=Royal Bank of Scotland calls halt to troublesome Williams & Glyn sale after Treasury strikes deal with Brussels|author=James Quinn |date=17 February 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|accessdate=18 February 2017}}</ref> The European Commission confirmed in April 2017 that it would scrutinise the proposal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fraser|first1=Douglas|title=RBS plan faces European Commission investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-39493883|accessdate=5 April 2017|publisher=BBC News|date=4 April 2017}}</ref> |
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{{further|Williams & Glyn}} |
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In 2008, it was announced that [[Government of the United Kingdom|HM Government]] would take a stake of up to 58% in the Royal Bank of Scotland in a move aimed at recapitalising the group. [[HM Treasury]] subscribed for £5 billion in preference shares and underwrote the issuance of £15bn of new ordinary shares offered to RBS shareholders and new institutional shareholders at the fixed price of 65.5p.<ref>{{cite news |title=UK banks' £37bn bail-out unveiled |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7666570.stm |work=BBC News |date=13 October 2008 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=14 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014050751/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7666570.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> As a consequence of the mismanagement that necessitated this rescue, the chief executive, [[Fred Goodwin]] (who secured the takeover of NatWest), offered his resignation, which was duly accepted. Chairman [[Tom McKillop]] also confirmed he would stand down from that role when his contract expired in 2009. Goodwin was replaced by [[Stephen Hester]], previously chief executive of British Land. |
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In 2009, the RBS Group announced that it would divest all 311 RBS branches in England and Wales (known as Williams & Glyn's until 1985) together with the seven NatWest branches in Scotland as a standalone business, to comply with [[European Commission]] state aid requirements.<ref>{{cite news|title=RBS shares drop on surprise EU divestment demands|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/6484626/RBS-shares-drop-on-surprise-EU-divestment-demands.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/6484626/RBS-shares-drop-on-surprise-EU-divestment-demands.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2 November 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=2 November 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Dey, Iain [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article6832279.ece RBS to relaunch historic Williams & Glyn's brand after 24 year absence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912225726/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article6832279.ece |date=12 September 2009 }}, ''The Sunday Times'', 13 September 2009</ref> In August 2010, it was announced that the branches would be sold to [[Santander UK]], along with the accounts of 1.8 million personal customers and 244,000 SME customers.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS sells 318 branches to Santander |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10862690 |work=BBC News |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224073818/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10862690 |url-status=live }}</ref> Santander withdrew from the sale in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS sale of 316 branches to Santander collapses |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19929376 |work=BBC News |date=12 October 2012 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926204931/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19929376 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 September 2013, the RBS Group confirmed it had agreed to sell 308 RBS branches in England and Wales and 6 NatWest branches in Scotland to the Corsair consortium. This figure was reduced to 307 by May 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunkley |first=Emma |date=28 May 2015 |title=RBS may need to beef up Williams & Glyn business |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d06a33e4-052f-11e5-8612-00144feabdc0.html |work=Financial Times |access-date=2 November 2015 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703144049/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d06a33e4-052f-11e5-8612-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The branches were to have been separated from the group in 2016 as a standalone business operating under the previously dormant Williams & Glyn brand.<ref>{{cite news|last1=MacLellan|first1=Kylie|last2=Slater|first2=Steve|title=RBS appoints BoAML to ready 2016 listing of Williams & Glyn|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rbs-ipo-idUKKCN0RD0BX20150913|access-date=2 November 2015|publisher=Reuters|date=13 September 2015|archive-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124093957/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rbs-ipo-idUKKCN0RD0BX20150913|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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===Recent developments=== |
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On 20 March 2017 the British paper ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that hundreds of banks had helped launder [[KGB]]-related funds out of Russia, as uncovered by an investigation named [[Russian Laundromat|Global Laundromat]]. NatWest was listed among the 17 banks in the UK that were “facing questions over what they knew about the international scheme and why they did not turn away suspicious money transfers,” as the bank processed $1.1 million in Laundromat cash. Other banks facing scrutiny under the investigation included [[HSBC]], the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]], [[Lloyds Bank|Lloyds]], [[Barclays]] and [[Coutts]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/20/british-banks-handled-vast-sums-of-laundered-russian-moneyBritish banks handled vast sums of laundered Russian money in ''The Guardian''] by Luke Harding, Nick Hopkins and Caelainn Barr on Monday, 20 March 2017</ref> |
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In August 2016, RBS cancelled its plan to spin off Williams & Glyn as a separate business, stating that the new bank could not survive independently. It revealed it would instead seek to sell the division to another bank.<ref>{{cite news |title=RBS cancels Williams & Glyn project and loses another £2bn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/05/rbs-cancels-williams--glyn-project-and-loses-another-2bn/ |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=The Telegraph |date=5 August 2016 |archive-date=6 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806151813/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/05/rbs-cancels-williams--glyn-project-and-loses-another-2bn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2017, HM Treasury and the European Commission reached a provisional agreement in which RBS would be able to retain the Williams & Glyn assets in return for investing £750 million into a fund aimed at increasing SME lending by challenger banks and for RBS agreeing to allow SME customers of challenger banks to use its branch network for cash and cheque handling.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/17/royal-bank-scotland-calls-halt-troublesome-williams-glyn-disposal/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/17/royal-bank-scotland-calls-halt-troublesome-williams-glyn-disposal/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Royal Bank of Scotland calls halt to troublesome Williams & Glyn sale after Treasury strikes deal with Brussels|author=James Quinn |date=17 February 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=18 February 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The European Commission confirmed in April 2017 that it would scrutinise the proposal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fraser|first1=Douglas|title=RBS plan faces European Commission investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-39493883|access-date=5 April 2017|work=BBC News|date=4 April 2017|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404224158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-39493883|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Recent history (2017–present) === |
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On 3 May 2021, the business of Ulster Bank Limited in Northern Ireland was transferred to National Westminster Bank as part of a court-approved Banking Business Transfer Scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digital.ulsterbank.co.uk/globals/banking-business-transfer-scheme.html|title=Banking Business Transfer Scheme|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503114219/https://digital.ulsterbank.co.uk/globals/banking-business-transfer-scheme.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In June 2024, NatWest announced it had agreed a deal to acquire the majority of [[Sainsbury's Bank]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Sainsbury's sells banking arm to NatWest |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sainsburys-sells-banking-arm-to-natwest-13155858 |access-date=20 June 2024 |website=Sky News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Croft |first=Jane |last2=Makortoff |first2=Kalyeena |date=20 June 2024 |title=NatWest to take on most of Sainsbury’s Bank |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/20/natwest-buy-sainsburys-bank-deal |access-date=20 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The deal will see the company acquire one million customers, £2.5 billion of customer assets and £2.6 billion of customer deposits.<ref name=":0" /> NatWest will receive £125 million from the deal upon completion in the first half of 2025.<ref name=":0" /> In 2024, NatWest also entered into an agreement with Metro Bank plc ("Metro Bank") to acquire a £2.5 billion portfolio of prime UK residential mortgages, with a weighted average current loan to value of c.62%.<ref>{{cite web |title=NatWest acquires Metro Bank mortgage portfolio. |url=https://www.natwestgroup.com/news-and-insights/latest-stories/our-updates/2024/jul/natwest-acquires-metro-bank-mortgage-portfolio.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=www.natwestgroup.com }}</ref> |
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In November 2024, the bank bought back £1 billion of its own shares from the UK Treasury, reducing the British government’s stake to 11.4 per cent from 14.81 per cent.<ref name=":1" /> It acquired 263 million shares at 380.8p each.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==Structure== |
==Structure== |
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[[File:The Old Court House Ruthin Wales.jpg|thumb|The old court house at [[Ruthin]], Denbighshire, built in 1401, a NatWest branch until 2017 |
[[File:The Old Court House Ruthin Wales.jpg|thumb|The old court house at [[Ruthin]], Denbighshire, built in 1401, a NatWest branch until 2017<ref>Kightly, Charles [http://medieval-wales.com/pdf/Medieval_Denbighshire.pdf Enjoy Medieval Denbighshire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415041705/http://medieval-wales.com/pdf/Medieval_Denbighshire.pdf |date=15 April 2010 }} (p.10) Denbighshire County Council, September 2007</ref>]] |
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NatWest Group operates internationally through its four principal subsidiaries: [[NatWest Holdings]] which owns The Royal Bank of Scotland, National Westminster Bank and Ulster Bank Ireland DAC; [[NatWest Markets]]; NatWest Markets N.V.; and The [[Royal Bank of Scotland International]]. The NatWest sub-group of companies comprises National Westminster Bank and its subsidiary and associated undertakings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2006Report&Account.pdf |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2006 |date=28 March 2007 |website=National Westminster Bank |at=p. 32 sec. 'Notes on the accounts, (14) Investments in Group undertakings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320103933/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2006Report%26Account.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|2023|}}, the principal subsidiary undertakings of NatWest are: |
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* [[Coutts]] & Co. |
* [[Coutts]] & Co. |
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* RBS Invoice Finance |
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* [[Ulster Bank]] |
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* [[Lombard North Central]]<ref>[https://investors.natwestgroup.com/fixed-income-investors/company-legal-structure Company legal structure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324224117/https://investors.natwestgroup.com/fixed-income-investors/company-legal-structure |date=24 March 2023 }} NatWest Group, April 2023</ref> |
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* [[Nordisk Renting]] |
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Structurally, National Westminster Bank was a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group until 2003, when ownership of the bank's entire issued ordinary share capital was transferred to The Royal Bank of Scotland as holding company, with RBS Group functioning as ultimate holding company. At the same time the entire issued share capital of [[Lombard North Central]] was transferred by the bank to the holding company,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest_2002_Report_and_Account.pdf |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2002 |website=National Westminster Bank |at=p. 2 sec. Report of the directors, Activities and business review |date=27 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022023241/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest_2002_Report_and_Account.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2006}}</ref> transferring back to NatWest in 2017. Ownership of National Westminster Home Loans was passed to the holding company in 2005;<ref>[http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2005_ReportAccount.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2005] ''Report of the directors, Activities and business review'' (p.2) National Westminster Bank, 29 March 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208153254/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2005_ReportAccount.pdf |date=8 December 2006 }}</ref> however, the mortgage portfolio and related funding were also transferred back to NatWest in 2012.<ref>[http://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/annual-reports/natwest-annual-report-2012.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323193933/http://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/annual-reports/natwest-annual-report-2012.pdf |date=23 March 2016 }} ''Financial review, Business developments'' (p.5) National Westminster Bank, 27 March 2013</ref> In 2000, the bank transferred National Westminster Life Assurance to RBS Life Investments, effectively establishing the business as a joint venture between the Group and [[Norwich Union]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2000ReportAccount.pdf |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2000 |website=National Westminster Bank |at=p. 17 sec. Report of the directors, Activities and business review |date=28 February 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208153041/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2000ReportAccount.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2006}}</ref> In 2018, ownership of both NatWest and the Royal Bank transferred to NatWest Holdings and NatWest became the main provider of shared services and Treasury activities for the RBS Group.<ref>[https://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/results-center/14feb2020/natwest-bank-plc-annual-report.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015072918/https://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/results-center/14feb2020/natwest-bank-plc-annual-report.pdf |date=15 October 2021 }} ''Strategic report'' (p.1) National Westminster Bank, 14 February 2020</ref> On 14 February 2020, it was announced that RBS Group would be renamed NatWest Group later that year, taking the brand under which the majority of its business was delivered.<ref>Makortoff, Kalyeena [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/14/rbs-will-stop-lending-to-energy-firms-without-climate-crisis-plan RBS will change name to NatWest as Alison Rose begins overhaul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214141522/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/14/rbs-will-stop-lending-to-energy-firms-without-climate-crisis-plan |date=14 February 2020 }} The Guardian, 14 February 2020</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51500062 |title=RBS Group to change its name to NatWest |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214180754/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51500062 |archivedate=14 February 2020 |work=BBC News |date=14 February 2020}}</ref> The change became effective on 22 July.<ref>Partridge, Joanna [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/22/royal-bank-of-scotland-changes-name-to-natwest Royal Bank of Scotland changes name to NatWest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722200203/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/22/royal-bank-of-scotland-changes-name-to-natwest |date=22 July 2020 }} The Guardian, 22 July 2020</ref> |
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* [[Lombard North Central]]<ref>https://investors.rbs.com/fixed-income-investors/company-legal-structure.aspx</ref> |
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[[File:NatWest, Saint Hélyi, Jèrri.jpg|thumb|The NatWest branch at [[St Helier]], capital of [[Jersey]], [[Channel Islands]], built in 1873]] |
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Structurally, National Westminster Bank was a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group until 2003, when ownership of the bank's entire issued ordinary share capital was transferred to The Royal Bank of Scotland as holding company, with RBS Group functioning as ultimate holding company. At the same time the entire issued share capital of [[Lombard North Central]] was transferred by the bank to the holding company,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest_2002_Report_and_Account.pdf |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2002 |website=National Westminster Bank |at=p. 2 sec. Report of the directors, Activities and business review |date=27 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022023241/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest_2002_Report_and_Account.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2006}}</ref> transferring back to NatWest in 2017. Ownership of National Westminster Home Loans was passed to the holding company in 2005;<ref>[http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2005_ReportAccount.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2005] ''Report of the directors, Activities and business review'' (p.2) National Westminster Bank, 29 March 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208153254/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2005_ReportAccount.pdf |date=8 December 2006 }}</ref> however, the mortgage portfolio and related funding were also transferred back to NatWest in 2012.<ref>[http://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/annual-reports/natwest-annual-report-2012.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2012] ''Financial review, Business developments'' (p.5) National Westminster Bank, 27 March 2013</ref> In 2000, the bank transferred National Westminster Life Assurance to RBS Life Investments, effectively establishing the business as a joint venture between the Group and [[Norwich Union]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2000ReportAccount.pdf |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2000 |website=National Westminster Bank |at=p. 17 sec. Report of the directors, Activities and business review |date=28 February 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208153041/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NatWest2000ReportAccount.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2006}}</ref> In 2018, ownership of both NatWest and the Royal Bank transferred to NatWest Holdings and NatWest became the main provider of shared services and Treasury activities for the RBS Group.<ref>[https://investors.rbs.com/~/media/Files/R/RBS-IR/results-center/14feb2020/natwest-bank-plc-annual-report.pdf Annual Report and Accounts 2019] ''Strategic report'' (p.1) National Westminster Bank, 14 February 2020</ref> On 14 February 2020, it was announced that RBS Group will be renamed NatWest Group later in the year, taking the brand under which the majority of its business is delivered.<ref>Makortoff, Kalyeena [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/14/rbs-will-stop-lending-to-energy-firms-without-climate-crisis-plan RBS will change name to NatWest as Alison Rose begins overhaul] The Guardian, 14 February 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51500062 RBS Group to change its name to NatWest] BBC News, 14 February 2020</ref> |
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[[File:NatWest, Saint Hélyi, Jèrri.jpg|thumb|The NatWest branch at [[St Helier]], capital of [[Jersey]], [[Channel Islands]], built in 1873.]] |
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The following have served as chairmen of National Westminster Bank: |
The following have served as chairmen of National Westminster Bank: |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left" |
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Line 68: | Line 83: | ||
! Tenure || Incumbent |
! Tenure || Incumbent |
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|- |
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| 1968–1969 || Duncan Stirling<ref>[https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/30912/natwest-celeberates-50th-anniversary-of-its-first-atm-with-cash-rewards NatWest celeberates <nowiki>[sic]</nowiki> 50th anniversary of its first ATM with cash rewards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010202255/https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/30912/natwest-celeberates-50th-anniversary-of-its-first-atm-with-cash-rewards |date=10 October 2022 }} ''Finextra Research'', 2 August 2017</ref> |
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| 1968–1969 || Duncan Stirling |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1969–1971 || David Robarts<ref>[ |
| 1969–1971 || David Robarts<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/people/david-robarts.html David Robarts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812131849/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/people/david-robarts.html |date=12 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 21 August 2020)</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1971–1977 || Sir John Prideaux<ref>[ |
| 1971–1977 || Sir John Prideaux<ref>[https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/people/john-prideaux.html John Prideaux] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809030334/https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/people/john-prideaux.html |date=9 August 2020 }} NatWest Group, Heritage Hub (retrieved 21 August 2020)</ref> |
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|- |
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| 1977–1983 || [[Robin Leigh-Pemberton]], later the Lord Kingsdown |
| 1977–1983 || [[Robin Leigh-Pemberton]], later the Lord Kingsdown<ref>Brewerton, David [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/25/lord-kingsdown Lord Kingsdown obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510203123/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/25/lord-kingsdown |date=10 May 2017 }} ''The Guardian'', 25 November 2013</ref> |
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|- |
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| 1983–1989 || The [[Lord Boardman]] |
| 1983–1989 || The [[Lord Boardman]]<ref>Roth, Andrew [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/mar/12/guardianobituaries.conservatives Lord Boardman obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202022717/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/mar/12/guardianobituaries.conservatives |date=2 December 2016 }} ''The Guardian'', 12 March 2003</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1989–1999 || The [[Lord Alexander of Weedon]] |
| 1989–1999 || The [[Lord Alexander of Weedon]]<ref>Roth, Andrew [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/nov/08/guardianobituaries.law Lord Alexander of Weedon obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202020120/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/nov/08/guardianobituaries.law |date=2 December 2016 }} ''The Guardian'', 8 November 2005</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1999–2000 || Sir David Rowland<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2019/02/24/sir-david-rowland-insurance-broker-led-rescue-lloyds-insurance/ Sir David Rowland, insurance broker who led the rescue of the Lloyd’s insurance market but could not save NatWest from takeover – obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201064255/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2019/02/24/sir-david-rowland-insurance-broker-led-rescue-lloyds-insurance/ |date=1 December 2020 }} ''The Telegraph'', 24 February 2019</ref> |
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| 1999–2000 || Sir David Rowland |
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|} |
|} |
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The office is currently held ''ex officio'' by the |
The office is currently held ''ex officio'' by the chair of NatWest Group. |
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==Services== |
==Services== |
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[[File:NatWest Bank, Camden Town - geograph.org.uk - 776577.jpg|thumb|The NatWest branch at [[Camden Town]], London, NW1 |
[[File:NatWest Bank, Camden Town - geograph.org.uk - 776577.jpg|thumb|The NatWest branch at [[Camden Town]], London, NW1]] |
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NatWest provide a full range of banking and insurance services to personal, business and commercial customers, including the first dedicated bank account in Britain to be delivered and supported entirely in the [[Polish language]]. |
NatWest provide a full range of banking and insurance services to personal, business and commercial customers, including the first dedicated bank account in Britain to be delivered and supported entirely in the [[Polish language]]. The bank has won Your Mortgage Magazine's Best Bank for Mortgages award 13 times in the last 17 years, more than any other lender.<ref>[http://editions.pagesuite.co.uk//Openpagesuite.aspx?pubid=855&pubname=Your%20Mortgage%20Awards/ Your Mortgage Magazine Awards 2006–2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306150932/http://editions.pagesuite.co.uk/Openpagesuite.aspx?pubid=855&pubname=Your%20Mortgage%20Awards/ |date=6 March 2008 }} Your Mortgage Magazine, 9 February 2007</ref> |
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Operating under the name Esme Loans, NatWest provides a digital lending platform for SMEs also available to customers not banking with NatWest or RBS.<ref>{{ |
Operating under the name Esme Loans, NatWest provides a digital lending platform for SMEs also available to customers not banking with NatWest or RBS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2017/02/new-natwest-platform-offers-quick-and-easy-loans-to-smes-.html|title=New NatWest platform offers quick and easy loans to SMEs|website=www.rbs.com|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918194059/https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2017/02/new-natwest-platform-offers-quick-and-easy-loans-to-smes-.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Esme Loans commenced trading on 17 February 2017, after being founded out of the bank's new product development programme NatWest Innovation Cell by Richard Kerton, Veronika Lovett, and Lucy Hasson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.metro.news/advertising-feature-esme-the-founders-story/1135529/|title=Advertising feature: ESME: The founders' story|work=Metro Newspaper UK|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224137/https://www.metro.news/advertising-feature-esme-the-founders-story/1135529/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The bank operates "mobile branches" using converted vans to serve rural areas around St Austell, Swansea, Carlisle, Devon and North Wales.<ref>[http://personal.natwest.com/personal/ways-to-bank-with-us/mobile-branch.html NatWest To Launch Mobile Banking Service] NatWest, 27 September 2014</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.rbs.com/news/2014/04/high-tech-mobile-branches-bring-services-to-rbs-and-natwest-customers.html|title=High tech mobile branches bring banking services to more customers |
The bank operates "mobile branches" using converted vans to serve rural areas around St Austell, Swansea, Carlisle, Devon and North Wales.<ref>[http://personal.natwest.com/personal/ways-to-bank-with-us/mobile-branch.html NatWest To Launch Mobile Banking Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920210749/http://personal.natwest.com/personal/ways-to-bank-with-us/mobile-branch.html |date=20 September 2014 }} NatWest, 27 September 2014</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.rbs.com/news/2014/04/high-tech-mobile-branches-bring-services-to-rbs-and-natwest-customers.html|title=High tech mobile branches bring banking services to more customers|date=24 April 2014|publisher=RBS|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072117/http://www.rbs.com/news/2014/04/high-tech-mobile-branches-bring-services-to-rbs-and-natwest-customers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The service allows to customers to carry out banking transactions in remote areas where there is no branch. NatWest reintroduced the mobile service in Cornwall in 2005, after HSBC ended its own version due to costs.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} |
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In 2006, |
In 2006, the then RBS Group undertook the first trial of [[MasterCard#Mastercard Contactless|PayPass]] [[Contactless payment|contactless]] debit and credit cards in Europe.<ref>[http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/news/press_releases7.html Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Mastercard Join Forces for London Roll-out of Contactless Debit and Credit Cards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212004413/http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/news/press_releases7.html |date=12 February 2008 }} MasterCard Europe, Press Release 6, 4 May 2007</ref> In 2019, a NatWest pilot project was the first in the UK to trial debit cards containing fingerprint authentication technology developed by Dutch company, [[Gemalto]].<ref>Collinson, Patrick [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/11/natwest-trials-fingerprint-debit-cards-to-remove-30-limit NatWest trials fingerprint debit cards to remove £30 limit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204015734/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/11/natwest-trials-fingerprint-debit-cards-to-remove-30-limit |date=4 December 2019 }} The Guardian, 11 March 2019</ref> |
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The bank participates fully in the [[Faster Payments Service]], an initiative to speed up certain payments, launched in 2008.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/7417826.stm Faster Payments – how long? |
The bank participates fully in the [[Faster Payments Service]], an initiative to speed up certain payments, launched in 2008.<ref>[{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/7417826.stm |title=Faster Payments – how long? |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222131116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/7417826.stm |archivedate=22 December 2008 |work=BBC News |date=24 May 2008 }}</ref> The bank established credit and debit card payment handling company Streamline in 1989, which was merged into [[Worldpay Group]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rbsworldpay.com/media/index.php?page=archive&sub=rbs&c=WW |title=RBS Launches RBS WorldPay brand |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517024412/http://www.rbsworldpay.com/media/index.php?page=archive&sub=rbs&c=WW |archivedate=17 May 2009 |publisher=The Royal Bank of Scotland |date=18 April 2009}}</ref> The NatWest Mobile Banking app is available to personal account holders over the age of 11 with online banking, a debit card and UK mobile telephone number (beginning 07). The Emergency Cash service gives access to cash without a debit card from NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank cash machines.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howard |first=Bob |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19857243 |title=NatWest suspends Get Cash app |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819212945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19857243 |archivedate=19 August 2018 |work=BBC News|date= 6 October 2012}}</ref> |
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NatWest is a member of the [[Cheque and Credit Clearing Company]], [[BACS|Bankers' Automated Clearing Services]], the [[CHAPS|Clearing House Automated Payment System]] and the [[LINK (UK)|LINK]] Interchange Network. The bank is authorised by the [[Prudential Regulation Authority (United Kingdom)|Prudential Regulation Authority]] and regulated by both the [[Financial Conduct Authority]] and the Prudential Regulation Authority.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.natwest.com/Downloads/private/NWB3476.pdf |title=Tax Rates & Allowances 2013–2014 |date=April 2013 |publisher=National Westminster Bank| |
NatWest is a member of the [[Cheque and Credit Clearing Company]], [[BACS|Bankers' Automated Clearing Services]], the [[CHAPS|Clearing House Automated Payment System]] and the [[LINK (UK)|LINK]] Interchange Network. The bank is authorised by the [[Prudential Regulation Authority (United Kingdom)|Prudential Regulation Authority]] and regulated by both the [[Financial Conduct Authority]] and the Prudential Regulation Authority.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.natwest.com/Downloads/private/NWB3476.pdf |title=Tax Rates & Allowances 2013–2014 |date=April 2013 |publisher=National Westminster Bank |access-date=30 May 2013 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927195142/http://www.natwest.com/Downloads/private/NWB3476.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service, the [[Financial Services Compensation Scheme]], [[UK Payments Administration]] and of the [[British Bankers' Association]]; and it subscribes to the [[Lending Code]]. [[Mortgages]], available in England, Scotland and Wales only, are provided by National Westminster Home Loans, a member of the [[Council of Mortgage Lenders]],<ref>Registered in England and Wales No. 1449354. Authorised and regulated by the FSA, Register No. 313223</ref> |
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The [[The One account|NatWest One]] account is a secured personal account with the Royal Bank of Scotland. |
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NatWest Insurance Services acts as intermediary and broker for general insurance, policies are underwritten by UK Insurance Limited. Life Protector and Guaranteed Bond products are provided by National Westminster Life Assurance.<ref>Registered in England and Wales No. 2668470. Authorised and regulated by the FSA, Register No. 155329</ref> |
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The Royal Bank of Scotland International trades as NatWest International in [[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]], the [[Isle of Man]] and [[Gibraltar]]. In 2010, RBS Intermediary Partners was renamed NatWest Intermediary Solutions.<ref>{{cite news|title=RBS broker arm becomes NatWest Intermediary Solutions|url=http://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/news/rbs-intermediary-arm-natwest-intermediary-solutions/|access-date=2 November 2015|work=Mortgage Solutions|date=19 January 2010}}</ref> |
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National Westminster Bank use the following series of six digit [[List of Sort Codes of the United Kingdom|sorting codes]] formatted into three pairs separated by hyphens: |
National Westminster Bank use the following series of six digit [[List of Sort Codes of the United Kingdom|sorting codes]] formatted into three pairs separated by hyphens: |
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Line 103: | Line 124: | ||
! Range || Note |
! Range || Note |
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|- |
|- |
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| 01 || |
| 01 || Former [[District Bank]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| 50-00 to |
| 50-00 to 59–99 || Former [[National Provincial Bank]] |
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|- |
|- |
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|'' |
|''55–91'' || ''In use by [[Isle of Man Bank]]'' |
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|- |
|- |
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| 60-00 to |
| 60-00 to 66–99 || Former [[Westminster Bank]] |
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|- |
|- |
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|18 || |
|18 || For use of [[Coutts & Co.]] |
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|- |
|- |
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|98 || |
|98 || For use of [[Ulster Bank]] |
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|} |
|} |
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[[International Bank Account Number]]s take the form '''GBxx NWBK ssss ssaa aaaa aa''', where ''x'' refers to two [[check digit |
[[International Bank Account Number]]s take the form '''GBxx NWBK ssss ssaa aaaa aa''', where ''x'' refers to two [[check digit]]s, ''s'' to the branch sort code and ''a'' to the individual account number. The [[Bank Identifier Code]], or [[Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication|SWIFT]] code, for NatWest (and [[Isle of Man]] Bank) is NWBKGB2L (8 digits) or NWBKGB2Lxxx (11 digits). |
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[[Bó (bank)|Bó]], a standalone digital banking app with the aim of helping people save more money was launched in November 2019 |
[[Bó (bank)|Bó]], a standalone digital banking app with the aim of helping people save more money was launched in November 2019<ref>Makortoff, Kalyeena [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/29/rbs-takes-on-monzo-with-standalone-digital-bank-bo RBS takes on Monzo with standalone digital bank Bó] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231022205/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/29/rbs-takes-on-monzo-with-standalone-digital-bank-bo |date=31 December 2019 }} The Guardian, 29 November 2019</ref> and discontinued in May 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bó is closing|url=https://wearebo.co.uk/blog/windingdown|date=1 May 2020|website=Bó}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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Mettle is an e-money business account provided by Prepay Solutions, a trading name of Prepay Technologies Ltd. |
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NatWest also entered the merchant acquiring market by introducing Tyl in 2019. <ref>{{Cite web|title=NatWest Tyl Launches|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2019/rbs-payments-worldpay/|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> The proposition includes a next business day settlement for card transactions. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Information about NatWest Tyl|url=https://ibsintelligence.com/ibs-journal/ibs-news/natwest-to-waive-monthly-hire-fees-for-tyls-pos-terminals-amidst-covid-19/|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> |
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NatWest also entered the merchant acquiring market by introducing Tyl in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=RBS Gets Back Into Payments Ten Years After It Unloaded Worldpay|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2019/rbs-payments-worldpay/|date=2 May 2019|website=PYMNTS.com|access-date=31 May 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815083612/https://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2019/rbs-payments-worldpay/|url-status=live}}</ref> The proposition includes next business day settlement for card transactions. |
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==Litigation== |
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The so-called [[NatWest Three]] — Giles Darby, David Bermingham and Gary Mulgrew — were extradited to the United States in 2006 on charges relating to a transaction with [[Enron Corporation]] in 2000 while they were working for Greenwich NatWest.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5174358.stm NatWest Three: the US indictment] BBC News, 12 July 2006 22:51 BST</ref> It has been argued that the alleged crime was committed by British citizens living in the UK against a British company based in London<ref>Randall, Jeff [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=M3&xml=/money/2006/03/01/ccjeff01.xml Natwest Three caught on extradition's one-way street] The Daily Telegraph, 1 March 2006</ref> and therefore, any resulting criminal case falls under the jurisdiction of the English courts.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5155596.stm Try Natwest three in UK – Tories] BBC News, 6 July 2006 17:23 BST</ref> However, the [[Serious Fraud Office (United Kingdom)|Serious Fraud Office]] decided not to prosecute due to lack of evidence.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4576281.stm Enron charge trio facing US trial] BBC News, 24 May 2005 16:04 BST</ref> There has been criticism that the Americans do not have to produce a prima facie case, or even a reasonable one, to extradite British citizens,<ref>King, Oliver [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,,1812471,00.html Lib Dem leader joins bankers' extradition battle] ''The Guardian'', 4 July 2006</ref> whereas no such facility exists to extradite US citizens to the UK.<ref>Stevenson, Tom [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/07/06/ccnat06.xml Senior executives attack 'invidious, one-sided treaty'] The Daily Telegraph, 6 July 2006</ref> On 28 November 2007 the three admitted one charge of [[wire fraud]] after a [[plea bargain]].<ref>Clark, Andrew [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/nov/28/2 NatWest Three plead guilty to wire fraud] ''The Guardian'', 28 November 2007</ref> On 22 February 2008 they were each sentenced to 37 months in prison.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7118305.stm NatWest Three face jail sentence] BBC News, 29 November 2007 09:10 GMT</ref> |
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== Controversy == |
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Following discussions between the [[Office of Fair Trading]], the [[Financial Ombudsman Service]], the [[Financial Services Authority]] and the major banks, proceedings were issued on 27 July 2007 in a [[test case]] against the banks to determine the legality and enforceability of certain charges relating to unauthorised overdrafts. It is argued that these are contrary to the [[Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999]]; Schedule 2(e) of which gives a non-exhaustive list of terms which may be regarded as unfair, such as a term requiring a consumer who fails in his obligation to pay a disproportionately high sum in compensation.<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992083.htm The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999] (SI 1999/2083), implements Directive 93/13/EC (L95 OJ 29)</ref> Penalty charges are irrecoverable at [[common law]]. The precedent for this was ''[[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd.]] v New Garage and Motor Co. Ltd.'' [1915] AC 79 along with ''Murray v Leisure Play'' [2005] EWCA Civ 963, where it was held that a contractual party can only recover damages for an actual loss or liquidated losses.<ref>Collinson, Patrick [http://money.guardian.co.uk/saving/banks/story/0,,2017356,00.html Have you been stung by exorbitant bank charges?] ''The Guardian'', 20 February 2007</ref> The Royal Bank of Scotland Group maintained that its charges were fair and enforceable and stated it intended to defend its position vigorously.<ref>[http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NW_CA_June_2007.pdf Results for the Half Year Ended 30 June 2007] ''Notes (6) Litigation'' (p.10) National Westminster Bank, 26 September 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909224555/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NW_CA_June_2007.pdf |date=9 September 2008 }}</ref> On 24 April 2008, the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] found that although these charges could not constitute penalties, they are challengeable under the [[Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977]] and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.<ref>''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/2008_04_24_oft_judgment.pdf The Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National Plc and seven others]'' [2008] EWHC 875 (Comm); All ER (D) 349 (Apr)</ref> On 26 February 2009, the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] ruled that fees for unauthorised overdrafts and bounced cheques are subject to regulation by the OFT under these rules.<ref>Osborne, Hilary [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/feb/26/bank-charges-case Bank charges ruling paves way for refunds] ''The Guardian'', 26 February 2009</ref> |
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===Litigation=== |
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The so-called [[NatWest Three]]—Giles Darby, David Bermingham and Gary Mulgrew—were extradited to the United States in 2006 on charges relating to a transaction with [[Enron Corporation]] in 2000 while they were working for Greenwich NatWest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5174358.stm |title=NatWest Three: the US indictment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213202728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5174358.stm |archivedate=13 February 2007 |work=BBC News |date=12 July 2006 }}</ref> It has been argued that the alleged crime was committed by British citizens living in the UK against a British company based in London<ref>{{cite news|last=Randall |first=Jeff |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=M3&xml=%2Fmoney%2F2006%2F03%2F01%2Fccjeff01.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211214914/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=M3&xml=%2Fmoney%2F2006%2F03%2F01%2Fccjeff01.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-02-11 |title=Natwest Three caught on extradition's one-way street |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 March 2006}}</ref> and therefore, any resulting criminal case falls under the jurisdiction of the English courts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5155596.stm |title=Try Natwest three in UK – Tories |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225165211/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5155596.stm |archivedate=25 February 2008 |work=BBC News |date=6 July 2006 }}</ref> However, the [[Serious Fraud Office (United Kingdom)|Serious Fraud Office]] decided not to prosecute due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4576281.stm |title=Enron charge trio facing US trial |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605094909/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4576281.stm |archivedate=5 June 2007 |work=BBC News |date=24 May 2005 }}</ref> There has been criticism that the Americans do not have to produce a prima facie case, or even a reasonable one, to extradite British citizens,<ref>{{cite news|last=King |first=Oliver |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,,1812471,00.html |title=Lib Dem leader joins bankers' extradition battle |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209140617/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,,1812471,00.html |archivedate=9 December 2007 |work=The Guardian |date=4 July 2006}}</ref> whereas no such facility exists to extradite US citizens to the UK.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stevenson |first=Tom |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fmoney%2F2006%2F07%2F06%2Fccnat06.xml |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211214919/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fmoney%2F2006%2F07%2F06%2Fccnat06.xml |archivedate=11 February 2008 |title=Senior executives attack 'invidious, one-sided treaty |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 July 2006}}</ref> On 28 November 2007 the three admitted one charge of [[wire fraud]] after a [[plea bargain]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/nov/28/2 |title=NatWest Three plead guilty to wire fraud |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106211303/http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/nov/28/2 |archivedate=6 November 2011 |work= The Guardian |date=28 November 2007}}</ref> On 22 February 2008 they were each sentenced to 37 months in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7118305.stm |title=NatWest Three face jail sentence |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111081927/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7118305.stm |archivedate=11 January 2024 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2007}} </ref> |
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Following discussions between the [[Office of Fair Trading]], the [[Financial Ombudsman Service]], the [[Financial Services Authority]] and the major banks, proceedings were issued on 27 July 2007 in a [[test case]] against the banks to determine the legality and enforceability of certain charges relating to unauthorised overdrafts. It is argued that these are contrary to the [[Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999]]; Schedule 2(e) of which gives a non-exhaustive list of terms which may be regarded as unfair, such as a term requiring a consumer who fails in his obligation to pay a disproportionately high sum in compensation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992083.htm |title=The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129090748/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992083.htm |archivedate=29 January 2008 }} (SI 1999/2083), implements Directive 93/13/EC (L95 OJ 29)</ref> Penalty charges are irrecoverable at [[common law]]. The precedent for this was ''[[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd.]] v New Garage and Motor Co. Ltd.'' [1915] AC 79 along with ''Murray v Leisure Play'' [2005] EWCA Civ 963, where it was held that a contractual party can only recover damages for an actual loss or liquidated losses.<ref>{{cite news|last=Collinson |first=Patrick |url=http://money.guardian.co.uk/saving/banks/story/0,,2017356,00.html |title=Have you been stung by exorbitant bank charges? |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174358/http://money.guardian.co.uk/saving/banks/story/0,,2017356,00.html |archivedate=23 December 2007 |work=The Guardian |date=20 February 2007}}</ref> The RBS Group maintained that its charges were fair and enforceable and stated it intended to defend its position vigorously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NW_CA_June_2007.pdf |title=Results for the Half Year Ended 30 June 2007 – Notes (6) Litigation (p.10) |publisher=National Westminster Bank |date=26 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909224555/http://www.investors.rbs.com/downloads/NW_CA_June_2007.pdf |archivedate=9 September 2008 }}</ref> On 24 April 2008, the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] found that although these charges could not constitute penalties, they are challengeable under the [[Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977]] and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/2008_04_24_oft_judgment.pdf |title=The Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National Plc and seven others |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015072954/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/2008_04_24_oft_judgment.pdf |archivedate=15 October 2021 }} [2008] EWHC 875 (Comm); All ER (D) 349 (Apr)</ref> On 26 February 2009, the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] ruled that fees for unauthorised overdrafts and bounced cheques are subject to regulation by the OFT under these rules.<ref>{{cite news|last=Osborne |first=Hilary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/feb/26/bank-charges-case |title=Bank charges ruling paves way for refunds |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510202803/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/feb/26/bank-charges-case |archivedate=10 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=26 February 2009}}</ref> |
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In September 2009, NatWest and RBS both announced dramatic cuts in their overdraft fees. The unpaid item fee was reduced to £5 from £38 and the card misuse fee was reduced from £35 to £15.<ref>Jones, Rupert [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/sep/07/rbs-natwest-overdraft-charges Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest cut overdraft charges] ''The Guardian'', 7 September 2009</ref> The cuts came at a time when the row over the legality of unauthorised borrowing, estimated to earn current account providers about £2.6bn a year, had reached the [[House of Lords]].<ref>Osborne, Hilary [https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/jun/23/banks-charges-appeal Bank charges appeal reaches House of Lords] ''The Guardian'', 23 June 2009</ref> |
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In September 2009, NatWest announced dramatic cuts in their overdraft fees. The unpaid item fee was reduced to £5 from £38 and the card misuse fee was reduced from £35 to £15.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones |first=Rupert |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/sep/07/rbs-natwest-overdraft-charges |title=Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest cut overdraft charges |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510201747/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/sep/07/rbs-natwest-overdraft-charges |archivedate=10 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=7 September 2009}}</ref> The cuts came at a time when the row over the legality of unauthorised borrowing, estimated to earn current account providers about £2.6 billion a year, had reached the [[House of Lords]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Osborne |first=Hilary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/jun/23/banks-charges-appeal |title=Bank charges appeal reaches House of Lords |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510202134/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/jun/23/banks-charges-appeal |archivedate=10 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=23 June 2009}}</ref> |
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==Computer failures== |
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{{main|2012 RBS computer system problems}} |
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In late June 2012, the group suffered a major computer malfunction,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18547149 NatWest to open all weekend as problems persist] BBC News, 22 June 2012</ref> resulting in some customers' account balances not updating correctly.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9349538/Millions-still-affected-by-NatWest-and-RBS-computer-glitch.html Millions still affected by NatWest and RBS computer glitch] The Telegraph – James Hall, 22 June 2012</ref> Completions of some new home purchases were delayed,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/22/natwest-problems-stop-non-customers-home?newsfeed=true NatWest problems stop non-customers moving into new home] The Guardian – Lisa Bachelor, 22 June 2012</ref> customers were stranded abroad,<ref>[http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-2163238/Do-NatWest--RBS-cover-late-payment-penalties-extra-costs-caused-banking-meltdown.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Can I force NatWest or RBS to cover late payment penalties I get hit with because of its banking meltdown?] This Is Money – Lee Boyce, 22 June 2012</ref> and one man was held in prison.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18589280 | publisher=BBC News | title=RBS computer problems kept man in prison | date=26 June 2012}}</ref> As a result of the error, RBS and NatWest announced that over 1,200 of their busiest branches would extend their hours throughout the week, including the bank's first Sunday opening, to enable the customers affected to access cash.<ref name=telegraph-glitch>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9353846/RBS-glitch-well-on-the-way-to-being-fixed-says-chief.html |title=RBS glitch 'well on the way' to being fixed, says chief |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Hall |first=James |date=25 June 2012 |accessdate=25 June 2012 |location=London}}</ref> On 25 June, over 1,000 branches opened for extended hours,<ref name=telegraph-glitch/> and the number of phone staff was doubled.<ref name=guardian-natwest-glitch-fixed>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/23/natwest-technical-glitch-fixed |title=NatWest 'technical glitch' fixed, says spokesman |last=Adetunji |first=Jom |work=The Guardian |date=23 June 2012 |accessdate=25 June 2012 |location=London}}</ref> |
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===Computer failures=== |
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Some customers also reported problems with direct debits and standing orders being returned unpaid due to their account balances not updating correctly. However, RBS stated in an announcement that they would work directly with the receiving banks and companies to ensure that all payments were processed. As a result of the system outage, RBS also announced that they would work with credit rating agencies directly to ensure no customer's credit file was permanently impacted. They also announced that no customer would be permanently out of pocket because of the system outage, and launched a dedicated new freephone helpline for the incident, as well as an online help point to guide and advise customers with any queries they had during the outage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peachey |first=Kevin |date=25 June 2012 |title=NatWest computer failure: Your rights Q&A |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18579949 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=4 December 2013 }}</ref> |
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{{Main|2012 RBS computer system problems}} |
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In late June 2012, the group suffered a major computer malfunction,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18547149 |title=NatWest to open all weekend as problems persist |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819205836/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18547149 |archivedate=19 August 2018 |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2012}}</ref> resulting in some customers' account balances not updating correctly.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120623113617/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9349538/Millions-still-affected-by-NatWest-and-RBS-computer-glitch.html Millions still affected by NatWest and RBS computer glitch] ''The Telegraph'' – James Hall, 22 June 2012</ref> Completions of some new home purchases were delayed,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/22/natwest-problems-stop-non-customers-home?newsfeed=true NatWest problems stop non-customers moving into new home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510202731/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/22/natwest-problems-stop-non-customers-home?newsfeed=true |date=10 May 2017 }} The Guardian – Lisa Bachelor, 22 June 2012</ref> customers were stranded abroad, and one man was held in prison.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18589280 | work=BBC News | title=RBS computer problems kept man in prison | date=26 June 2012 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=6 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106051729/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18589280 | url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of the error, RBS and NatWest announced that over 1,200 of their busiest branches would extend their hours throughout the week, including the bank's first Sunday opening, to enable the customers affected to access cash.<ref name=telegraph-glitch>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9353846/RBS-glitch-well-on-the-way-to-being-fixed-says-chief.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626003207/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9353846/RBS-glitch-well-on-the-way-to-being-fixed-says-chief.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 June 2012 |title=RBS glitch 'well on the way' to being fixed, says chief |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Hall |first=James |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=25 June 2012 |location=London}}</ref> On 25 June, over 1,000 branches opened for extended hours,<ref name=telegraph-glitch/> and the number of phone staff was doubled.<ref name=guardian-natwest-glitch-fixed>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/23/natwest-technical-glitch-fixed |title=NatWest 'technical glitch' fixed, says spokesman |last=Adetunji |first=Jom |work=The Guardian |date=23 June 2012 |access-date=25 June 2012 |location=London |archive-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001071627/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/23/natwest-technical-glitch-fixed |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Some customers also reported problems with direct debits and standing orders being returned unpaid due to their account balances not updating correctly. However, RBS stated in an announcement that they would work directly with the receiving banks and companies to ensure that all payments were processed. As a result of the system outage, RBS also announced that they would work with credit rating agencies directly to ensure no customer's credit file was permanently impacted. They also announced that no customer would be permanently out of pocket because of the system outage, and launched a dedicated new freephone helpline for the incident, as well as an online help point to guide and advise customers with any queries they had during the outage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peachey |first=Kevin |date=25 June 2012 |title=NatWest computer failure: Your rights Q&A |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18579949 |work=BBC News |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609140448/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18579949 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In December 2013, a similar computer failure led to a number of customers being unable to use NatWest card services to pay for goods. This second major outage of services fell on what is known as [[Cyber Monday]], when major retailers discount goods to boost Christmas shopping. The chief executive of RBS Group conceded that the bank would have "to do better".<ref>{{cite news |date=3 December 2013 |title=RBS must do better after payment fault, says boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25193884 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=4 December 2013}}</ref> |
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In December 2013, a similar computer failure led to a number of customers being unable to use NatWest card services to pay for goods. This second major outage of services fell on what is known as [[Cyber Monday]], when major retailers discount goods to boost Christmas shopping. The Group chief executive at the time conceded that the bank would have "to do better".<ref>{{cite news |date=3 December 2013 |title=RBS must do better after payment fault, says boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25193884 |work=BBC News |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203194747/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25193884 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==="Global laundromat"=== |
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On 20 March 2017, the British paper ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that hundreds of banks had helped launder [[KGB]]-related funds out of Russia, as uncovered by an investigation named [[Russian Laundromat|Global Laundromat]]. NatWest was listed among the 17 banks in the UK that were "facing questions over what they knew about the international scheme and why they did not turn away suspicious money transfers," as the bank processed $1.1 million in Laundromat cash. Other banks facing scrutiny under the investigation included [[HSBC]], the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]], [[Lloyds Bank]], [[Barclays]] and [[Coutts]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/20/british-banks-handled-vast-sums-of-laundered-russian-money British banks handled vast sums of laundered Russian money in ''The Guardian''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414031504/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/20/british-banks-handled-vast-sums-of-laundered-russian-money |date=14 April 2017 }} by Luke Harding, Nick Hopkins and Caelainn Barr on Monday, 20 March 2017</ref> |
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=== Money laundering conviction === |
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In December 2021, the bank was convicted at [[Westminster Magistrates' Court]] of three counts of failing to comply with anti–money laundering regulations, marking the first time that the [[Financial Conduct Authority]] had pursued criminal charges against a financial institution for failings in combating money laundering. NatWest pled guilty to the three counts, which concerned a jewelers, Fowler Oldfield, depositing £365 million between 2012 and 2016 of which £264 million was in cash, despite predicted annual turnover of £15 million. FCA lawyers stated that large volumes of cash were deposited in black [[bin bag]]s, and that the quantity of notes failed to fit within the branch vaults.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 December 2021|title=NatWest fined £265m after bin bags of cash laundered|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59629711|access-date=17 December 2021|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217115732/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59629711|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In a statement, a spokesman for the Financial Conduct Authority said "'NatWest is responsible for a catalogue of failures in the way it monitored and scrutinised transactions that were self-evidently suspicious. Combined with serious systems failures, like the treatment of cash deposits as cheques, these failures created an open door for money laundering."<ref>{{cite web|date=13 December 2021|title=NatWest fined £264.8 million for anti-money laundering failures|url=https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/natwest-fined-264.8million-anti-money-laundering-failures|access-date=17 December 2021|website=FCA|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217115746/https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/natwest-fined-264.8million-anti-money-laundering-failures|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Sponsorship== |
==Sponsorship== |
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The name NatWest has been associated with |
The name ''NatWest'' has been associated with [[cricket]] tournaments held in England. From 1981 until 2000, the bank was the title sponsor of English domestic cricket's main [[Limited overs cricket|limited overs]] knockout tournament, which was known as the [[Friends Provident Trophy|NatWest Trophy]] during that period. Between 2000 and 2013, the [[NatWest Series]] was an annual [[One Day International|one-day international]] tournament involving [[England cricket team|England]] and two visiting international teams. NatWest was also a main sponsor of the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]], held in England. Since May 2017, it has been the shirt sponsor for the England men's and women's cricket teams.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoult|first=Nick|title=Investec pulls out of 10-year £40m deal to sponsor Test cricket in England|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/01/06/investec-pull-10-year40m-deal-sponsor-test-cricket-england/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/01/06/investec-pull-10-year40m-deal-sponsor-test-cricket-england/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=7 May 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=6 January 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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The bank also sponsored [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2018#Test series|England's Test series against Pakistan in 2018]]. |
The bank also sponsored [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2018#Test series|England's Test series against Pakistan in 2018]]. |
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NatWest is sponsor of the Southern Paintball League, the leading competitive paintball series in the south of England. |
NatWest is sponsor of the Southern Paintball League, the leading competitive paintball series in the south of England. |
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NatWest |
NatWest was the main sponsor of the [[Island Games]] (known at the time as the NatWest Island Games) from 1999 through to 2019. |
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''NatWest CommunityForce'' is "a platform that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of NatWest and their local community."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://communityforce.natwest.com/about/ |title=About CommunityForce |website=NatWest CommunityForce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226095332/http://communityforce.natwest.com/about |archive-date=26 February 2012 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> |
''NatWest CommunityForce'' is "a platform that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of NatWest and their local community."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://communityforce.natwest.com/about/ |title=About CommunityForce |website=NatWest CommunityForce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226095332/http://communityforce.natwest.com/about |archive-date=26 February 2012 |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{ |
{{Portal|Banks|Companies|Money}} |
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* [[Nestle v National Westminster Bank |
* ''[[Nestle v National Westminster Bank plc]]'' |
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* [[ |
* ''[[Re Spectrum Plus Ltd]]'' |
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* [[Tournier v National Provincial and Union Bank of England]] |
* ''[[Tournier v National Provincial and Union Bank of England]]'' |
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* [[Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National |
* ''[[Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National plc]]'' |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|National Westminster Bank}} |
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* [https://www.natwest.com |
* [https://www.natwest.com National Westminster Bank] |
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* [https://www.natwestinternational.com NatWest International] |
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{{NatWest Group}} |
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{{UK banks}} |
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{{Members of Euro Banking Association}} |
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[[Category:NatWest Group]] |
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[[Category:Banks of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]] |
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[[Category:British companies established in 1968]] |
[[Category:British companies established in 1968]] |
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[[Category:Banks established in 1968]] |
[[Category:Banks established in 1968]] |
Latest revision as of 10:05, 12 December 2024
NatWest | |
Formerly | National Westminster Bank Limited (1968–1981) |
Company type | Private |
Industry | Financial services |
Predecessor | National Provincial Bank Westminster Bank District Bank |
Founded | 18 March 1968 |
Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Key people | Chairman: Richard Haythornthwaite Chief Executive: Paul Thwaite |
Products | Banking, Investments, Lending and Insurance |
Parent | NatWest Holdings |
Subsidiaries | Coutts |
Website | natwest |
National Westminster Bank Plc,[1] trading as NatWest,[2] is a major retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom based in London, England. It was established in 1968 by the merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank. In 2000, it became part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, which was re-named NatWest Group in 2020. Following ringfencing of the group's core domestic business, the bank became a direct subsidiary of NatWest Holdings; NatWest Markets comprises the non-ringfenced investment banking arm. As of November 2024, the British government owns 10.9% of NatWest Group after spending £45 billion ($61.87 billion) bailing out the lender in 2008; the proportion at one point was 54.7%.[3][4] NatWest International is a trading name of RBS International, which also sits outside the ringfence.
NatWest is considered one of the Big Four clearing banks in the UK,[5][6] and it has a large network of over 526 branches[7] and 3,400 cash machines across Great Britain and offers 24-hour Actionline telephone and online banking services. Today, it has more than 7.5 million personal customers and 850,000 small business accounts. In Northern Ireland, it operates through the Ulster Bank brand.
History
[edit]Early history (1658–1970s)
[edit]The bank's origins date back to 1658 with the foundation of Smith's Bank of Nottingham.[8] Its oldest direct corporate ancestor, National Provincial Bank, was formed in 1833 as the National Provincial Bank of England. It merged with Union of London and Smith's Bank in 1918 to become National Provincial and Union Bank, shortening its name in 1924.[9] District Bank (formed in 1829 as the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company) was acquired by National Provincial in 1962 and allowed to operate under its own name.[10] Westminster Bank was formed in 1834 as London and Westminster Bank. It merged with London and County Bank in 1909 to become London County and Westminster Bank and with Parr's Bank in 1918 to become London County Westminster and Parrs Bank, shortening its name in 1923.[11]
The creation of the modern bank was announced in 1968 and commenced trading on 1 January 1970 after the statutory process of integration had been completed in 1969.[12] The three arrowheads device was adopted as the new bank's logo; it is said to symbolise either the circulation of money in the financial system or the bank's three constituents.[13] The District, National Provincial and Westminster banks were fully integrated in the new firm's structure, but private bankers Coutts & Co (a 1920 National Provincial acquisition, established 1692), Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland (a 1917 Westminster acquisition, established 1836) and the Isle of Man Bank (a 1961 National Provincial acquisition, established 1865) continued as separate operations. Westminster Foreign Bank (established 1913) was restyled International Westminster Bank in 1973. Duncan Stirling, outgoing chairman of Westminster Bank, became first chairman of the fifth-largest bank in the world.[14] In 1969 David Robarts, former chairman of National Provincial, assumed Stirling's position.[15] In 1975 it was one of the first London banks to open a representative office in Scotland. It was a founder member of the Joint Credit Card Company (with Lloyds Bank, Midland Bank and Williams & Glyn's Bank) which launched the Access credit card (now part of Mastercard) in 1972 and in 1976 it introduced the Servicetill cash machine. The same banks, excluding Lloyds, were later responsible for the introduction of the Switch debit card (later branded Maestro) in 1988.[16]
Expansion (1980s)
[edit]Deregulation in the 1980s, culminating in the Big Bang in 1986, also encouraged the bank to enter the securities business. County Bank, its merchant banking subsidiary formed in 1965, acquired various stockbroking and jobbing firms to create the investment banking arm County NatWest. National Westminster Home Loans was established in 1980 and other initiatives included the launch of the Piggy Account for children in 1983, the Credit Zone, a flexible overdraft facility on which customers only pay interest (now commonplace, this so-called pink debt was innovative when launched) and the development of the Mondex electronic purse (later sold to MasterCard Worldwide) in 1990.[17] The Action Bank advertising campaign spearheaded a new marketing-led approach to business development. Under the direction of Robin Leigh-Pemberton, who became chairman in 1977, the bank also expanded internationally, forming National Westminster Bancorp in the United States of America with a network of 340 branches across two states, National Westminster Bank of Canada and NatWest Australia Bank; and opening branches on the European continent and in the Far East.[18] In 1982, the Frankfurt office of International Westminster Bank merged with Global Bank AG to form Deutsche Westminster Bank. In 1985, Banco NatWest España was formed and National Westminster Bank SA was incorporated in 1988, taking over the bank's six branches in France and Monaco. In 1989, International Westminster Bank was merged into National Westminster Bank by Act of Parliament.[19]
Completed in 1980, the bank built the National Westminster Tower (now known as Tower 42) in London to serve as its international headquarters. At a height of 600 feet (183 m) it was the tallest building in the UK until the topping-out of Canary Wharf Tower 10 years later;[20] its footprint loosely approximating the bank's logo when viewed from the air,[21] although the architect claimed the similarity was coincidence.[22] Also worthy of note is National Westminster House (since renamed as 103 Colmore Row) in Birmingham: the building was sold to British Land in 2007[23] and demolished in 2015.
Controversy (1980s–1990s)
[edit]The bank was hit by the stock market crash of 1987 and involvement in the collapse of Blue Arrow.[24] The Department of Trade and Industry report on the affair was critical of the bank's management and resulted in the resignation of several members of the board, including then-chairman Lord Boardman.[25] Later, the bank would divest its overseas subsidiaries. The North American operations were sold to Fleet Bank and Hong Kong Bank of Canada, and the Australian and New Zealand branches were sold to Salomon Smith Barney and the National Australia Bank.[26] Thereafter the bank concentrated on its core domestic business as the restyled NatWest Group, reflecting its modern positioning as a portfolio of businesses.[27] In the 1993 Bishopsgate bombing, the NatWest Tower was devastated by a Provisional IRA bomb and the bank vacated the building and later sold it.[28] Then, in 1997, NatWest Markets, the corporate and investment banking arm formed in 1992, revealed that a £50 million loss had been discovered, revised to £90.5 million after further investigations. Investor and shareholder confidence was so badly shaken that the Bank of England had to instruct the board of directors to resist calls for the resignation of its most senior executives in an effort to draw a line under the affair.[29] The bank's internal controls and risk management were severely criticised in 2000 and its aggressive push into investment banking questioned, after a lengthy investigation by the Securities and Futures Authority.[30] The bank's move into complicated derivative products that it did not fully understand seemed to indicate poor management. By the end of 1997 parts of NatWest Markets had been sold, others becoming Greenwich NatWest in 1998.[31] It had purchased Gleason Partners in 1996 for $135 million only to resell it back to GP's founder for just $4 million 3 years later in 1999, a whopping $131 million loss.
Takeover (1990s–2000s)
[edit]In 1999, the chairman, Lord Alexander of Weedon, announced a merger with Legal & General in a friendly £10.7 billion deal, the first between a bank and an insurance company in UK history.[33] The move was poorly received in the London financial markets and NatWest's share price fell substantially.[34] Seen as a driver of the ill-advised investment banking expansion, Derek Wanless was forced to resign as chief executive following the appointment of Sir David Rowland (who became executive chairman).[35] Also in 1999, in response to the much reduced NatWest market capitalisation, the much smaller Bank of Scotland made a hostile takeover bid for NatWest. The Bank of Scotland's aim was to break up the NatWest Group and dispose of its non-retail assets. NatWest was forced to abandon its merger, but refused to agree to a takeover by a rival bank.[36] The Royal Bank of Scotland tabled another hostile offer, of £21 billion, outbidding the Bank of Scotland.[37] The takeover of NatWest in early 2000 was the biggest in UK history. Once Britain's most profitable bank, it was delisted from the London Stock Exchange and became, with its subsidiaries, component parts of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.[38] The outcome of this bitter struggle set the tone for a round of consolidation in the financial sector as it prepared for a new age of fierce global competition.[39] The Royal Bank of Scotland Group became the second-largest bank in the UK and Europe (after HSBC) and the fifth-largest in the world by market capitalisation. According to Forbes Global 2000, it was then the 13th-largest company in the world.[40] NatWest was retained as a distinct brand with its own banking licence, but many back office functions were merged with those of the Royal Bank, leading to over 18,000 job losses.
Attempted divestment (2008–2017)
[edit]In 2008, it was announced that HM Government would take a stake of up to 58% in the Royal Bank of Scotland in a move aimed at recapitalising the group. HM Treasury subscribed for £5 billion in preference shares and underwrote the issuance of £15bn of new ordinary shares offered to RBS shareholders and new institutional shareholders at the fixed price of 65.5p.[41] As a consequence of the mismanagement that necessitated this rescue, the chief executive, Fred Goodwin (who secured the takeover of NatWest), offered his resignation, which was duly accepted. Chairman Tom McKillop also confirmed he would stand down from that role when his contract expired in 2009. Goodwin was replaced by Stephen Hester, previously chief executive of British Land.
In 2009, the RBS Group announced that it would divest all 311 RBS branches in England and Wales (known as Williams & Glyn's until 1985) together with the seven NatWest branches in Scotland as a standalone business, to comply with European Commission state aid requirements.[42][43] In August 2010, it was announced that the branches would be sold to Santander UK, along with the accounts of 1.8 million personal customers and 244,000 SME customers.[44] Santander withdrew from the sale in October 2012.[45] On 27 September 2013, the RBS Group confirmed it had agreed to sell 308 RBS branches in England and Wales and 6 NatWest branches in Scotland to the Corsair consortium. This figure was reduced to 307 by May 2015.[46] The branches were to have been separated from the group in 2016 as a standalone business operating under the previously dormant Williams & Glyn brand.[47]
In August 2016, RBS cancelled its plan to spin off Williams & Glyn as a separate business, stating that the new bank could not survive independently. It revealed it would instead seek to sell the division to another bank.[48] In February 2017, HM Treasury and the European Commission reached a provisional agreement in which RBS would be able to retain the Williams & Glyn assets in return for investing £750 million into a fund aimed at increasing SME lending by challenger banks and for RBS agreeing to allow SME customers of challenger banks to use its branch network for cash and cheque handling.[49] The European Commission confirmed in April 2017 that it would scrutinise the proposal.[50]
Recent history (2017–present)
[edit]On 3 May 2021, the business of Ulster Bank Limited in Northern Ireland was transferred to National Westminster Bank as part of a court-approved Banking Business Transfer Scheme.[51]
In June 2024, NatWest announced it had agreed a deal to acquire the majority of Sainsbury's Bank.[52][53] The deal will see the company acquire one million customers, £2.5 billion of customer assets and £2.6 billion of customer deposits.[52] NatWest will receive £125 million from the deal upon completion in the first half of 2025.[52] In 2024, NatWest also entered into an agreement with Metro Bank plc ("Metro Bank") to acquire a £2.5 billion portfolio of prime UK residential mortgages, with a weighted average current loan to value of c.62%.[54]
In November 2024, the bank bought back £1 billion of its own shares from the UK Treasury, reducing the British government’s stake to 11.4 per cent from 14.81 per cent.[4] It acquired 263 million shares at 380.8p each.[4]
Structure
[edit]NatWest Group operates internationally through its four principal subsidiaries: NatWest Holdings which owns The Royal Bank of Scotland, National Westminster Bank and Ulster Bank Ireland DAC; NatWest Markets; NatWest Markets N.V.; and The Royal Bank of Scotland International. The NatWest sub-group of companies comprises National Westminster Bank and its subsidiary and associated undertakings.[56] As of 2023[update], the principal subsidiary undertakings of NatWest are:
- Coutts & Co.
- RBS Invoice Finance
- Lombard North Central[57]
Structurally, National Westminster Bank was a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group until 2003, when ownership of the bank's entire issued ordinary share capital was transferred to The Royal Bank of Scotland as holding company, with RBS Group functioning as ultimate holding company. At the same time the entire issued share capital of Lombard North Central was transferred by the bank to the holding company,[58] transferring back to NatWest in 2017. Ownership of National Westminster Home Loans was passed to the holding company in 2005;[59] however, the mortgage portfolio and related funding were also transferred back to NatWest in 2012.[60] In 2000, the bank transferred National Westminster Life Assurance to RBS Life Investments, effectively establishing the business as a joint venture between the Group and Norwich Union.[61] In 2018, ownership of both NatWest and the Royal Bank transferred to NatWest Holdings and NatWest became the main provider of shared services and Treasury activities for the RBS Group.[62] On 14 February 2020, it was announced that RBS Group would be renamed NatWest Group later that year, taking the brand under which the majority of its business was delivered.[63][64] The change became effective on 22 July.[65]
The following have served as chairmen of National Westminster Bank:
Tenure | Incumbent |
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1968–1969 | Duncan Stirling[66] |
1969–1971 | David Robarts[67] |
1971–1977 | Sir John Prideaux[68] |
1977–1983 | Robin Leigh-Pemberton, later the Lord Kingsdown[69] |
1983–1989 | The Lord Boardman[70] |
1989–1999 | The Lord Alexander of Weedon[71] |
1999–2000 | Sir David Rowland[72] |
The office is currently held ex officio by the chair of NatWest Group.
Services
[edit]NatWest provide a full range of banking and insurance services to personal, business and commercial customers, including the first dedicated bank account in Britain to be delivered and supported entirely in the Polish language. The bank has won Your Mortgage Magazine's Best Bank for Mortgages award 13 times in the last 17 years, more than any other lender.[73]
Operating under the name Esme Loans, NatWest provides a digital lending platform for SMEs also available to customers not banking with NatWest or RBS.[74] Esme Loans commenced trading on 17 February 2017, after being founded out of the bank's new product development programme NatWest Innovation Cell by Richard Kerton, Veronika Lovett, and Lucy Hasson.[75]
The bank operates "mobile branches" using converted vans to serve rural areas around St Austell, Swansea, Carlisle, Devon and North Wales.[76][77] The service allows to customers to carry out banking transactions in remote areas where there is no branch. NatWest reintroduced the mobile service in Cornwall in 2005, after HSBC ended its own version due to costs.[citation needed]
In 2006, the then RBS Group undertook the first trial of PayPass contactless debit and credit cards in Europe.[78] In 2019, a NatWest pilot project was the first in the UK to trial debit cards containing fingerprint authentication technology developed by Dutch company, Gemalto.[79]
The bank participates fully in the Faster Payments Service, an initiative to speed up certain payments, launched in 2008.[80] The bank established credit and debit card payment handling company Streamline in 1989, which was merged into Worldpay Group in 2009.[81] The NatWest Mobile Banking app is available to personal account holders over the age of 11 with online banking, a debit card and UK mobile telephone number (beginning 07). The Emergency Cash service gives access to cash without a debit card from NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank cash machines.[82]
NatWest is a member of the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company, Bankers' Automated Clearing Services, the Clearing House Automated Payment System and the LINK Interchange Network. The bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.[83] It is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, UK Payments Administration and of the British Bankers' Association; and it subscribes to the Lending Code. Mortgages, available in England, Scotland and Wales only, are provided by National Westminster Home Loans, a member of the Council of Mortgage Lenders,[84]
The NatWest One account is a secured personal account with the Royal Bank of Scotland.
NatWest Insurance Services acts as intermediary and broker for general insurance, policies are underwritten by UK Insurance Limited. Life Protector and Guaranteed Bond products are provided by National Westminster Life Assurance.[85]
The Royal Bank of Scotland International trades as NatWest International in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar. In 2010, RBS Intermediary Partners was renamed NatWest Intermediary Solutions.[86]
National Westminster Bank use the following series of six digit sorting codes formatted into three pairs separated by hyphens:
Range | Note |
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01 | Former District Bank |
50-00 to 59–99 | Former National Provincial Bank |
55–91 | In use by Isle of Man Bank |
60-00 to 66–99 | Former Westminster Bank |
18 | For use of Coutts & Co. |
98 | For use of Ulster Bank |
International Bank Account Numbers take the form GBxx NWBK ssss ssaa aaaa aa, where x refers to two check digits, s to the branch sort code and a to the individual account number. The Bank Identifier Code, or SWIFT code, for NatWest (and Isle of Man Bank) is NWBKGB2L (8 digits) or NWBKGB2Lxxx (11 digits).
Bó, a standalone digital banking app with the aim of helping people save more money was launched in November 2019[87] and discontinued in May 2020.[88]
Mettle is an e-money business account provided by Prepay Solutions, a trading name of Prepay Technologies Ltd.
NatWest also entered the merchant acquiring market by introducing Tyl in 2019.[89] The proposition includes next business day settlement for card transactions.
Controversy
[edit]Litigation
[edit]The so-called NatWest Three—Giles Darby, David Bermingham and Gary Mulgrew—were extradited to the United States in 2006 on charges relating to a transaction with Enron Corporation in 2000 while they were working for Greenwich NatWest.[90] It has been argued that the alleged crime was committed by British citizens living in the UK against a British company based in London[91] and therefore, any resulting criminal case falls under the jurisdiction of the English courts.[92] However, the Serious Fraud Office decided not to prosecute due to lack of evidence.[93] There has been criticism that the Americans do not have to produce a prima facie case, or even a reasonable one, to extradite British citizens,[94] whereas no such facility exists to extradite US citizens to the UK.[95] On 28 November 2007 the three admitted one charge of wire fraud after a plea bargain.[96] On 22 February 2008 they were each sentenced to 37 months in prison.[97]
Following discussions between the Office of Fair Trading, the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Financial Services Authority and the major banks, proceedings were issued on 27 July 2007 in a test case against the banks to determine the legality and enforceability of certain charges relating to unauthorised overdrafts. It is argued that these are contrary to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999; Schedule 2(e) of which gives a non-exhaustive list of terms which may be regarded as unfair, such as a term requiring a consumer who fails in his obligation to pay a disproportionately high sum in compensation.[98] Penalty charges are irrecoverable at common law. The precedent for this was Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd. v New Garage and Motor Co. Ltd. [1915] AC 79 along with Murray v Leisure Play [2005] EWCA Civ 963, where it was held that a contractual party can only recover damages for an actual loss or liquidated losses.[99] The RBS Group maintained that its charges were fair and enforceable and stated it intended to defend its position vigorously.[100] On 24 April 2008, the High Court found that although these charges could not constitute penalties, they are challengeable under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.[101] On 26 February 2009, the Court of Appeal ruled that fees for unauthorised overdrafts and bounced cheques are subject to regulation by the OFT under these rules.[102]
In September 2009, NatWest announced dramatic cuts in their overdraft fees. The unpaid item fee was reduced to £5 from £38 and the card misuse fee was reduced from £35 to £15.[103] The cuts came at a time when the row over the legality of unauthorised borrowing, estimated to earn current account providers about £2.6 billion a year, had reached the House of Lords.[104]
Computer failures
[edit]In late June 2012, the group suffered a major computer malfunction,[105] resulting in some customers' account balances not updating correctly.[106] Completions of some new home purchases were delayed,[107] customers were stranded abroad, and one man was held in prison.[108] As a result of the error, RBS and NatWest announced that over 1,200 of their busiest branches would extend their hours throughout the week, including the bank's first Sunday opening, to enable the customers affected to access cash.[109] On 25 June, over 1,000 branches opened for extended hours,[109] and the number of phone staff was doubled.[110]
Some customers also reported problems with direct debits and standing orders being returned unpaid due to their account balances not updating correctly. However, RBS stated in an announcement that they would work directly with the receiving banks and companies to ensure that all payments were processed. As a result of the system outage, RBS also announced that they would work with credit rating agencies directly to ensure no customer's credit file was permanently impacted. They also announced that no customer would be permanently out of pocket because of the system outage, and launched a dedicated new freephone helpline for the incident, as well as an online help point to guide and advise customers with any queries they had during the outage.[111]
In December 2013, a similar computer failure led to a number of customers being unable to use NatWest card services to pay for goods. This second major outage of services fell on what is known as Cyber Monday, when major retailers discount goods to boost Christmas shopping. The Group chief executive at the time conceded that the bank would have "to do better".[112]
"Global laundromat"
[edit]On 20 March 2017, the British paper The Guardian reported that hundreds of banks had helped launder KGB-related funds out of Russia, as uncovered by an investigation named Global Laundromat. NatWest was listed among the 17 banks in the UK that were "facing questions over what they knew about the international scheme and why they did not turn away suspicious money transfers," as the bank processed $1.1 million in Laundromat cash. Other banks facing scrutiny under the investigation included HSBC, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Bank, Barclays and Coutts.[113]
Money laundering conviction
[edit]In December 2021, the bank was convicted at Westminster Magistrates' Court of three counts of failing to comply with anti–money laundering regulations, marking the first time that the Financial Conduct Authority had pursued criminal charges against a financial institution for failings in combating money laundering. NatWest pled guilty to the three counts, which concerned a jewelers, Fowler Oldfield, depositing £365 million between 2012 and 2016 of which £264 million was in cash, despite predicted annual turnover of £15 million. FCA lawyers stated that large volumes of cash were deposited in black bin bags, and that the quantity of notes failed to fit within the branch vaults.[114]
In a statement, a spokesman for the Financial Conduct Authority said "'NatWest is responsible for a catalogue of failures in the way it monitored and scrutinised transactions that were self-evidently suspicious. Combined with serious systems failures, like the treatment of cash deposits as cheques, these failures created an open door for money laundering."[115]
Sponsorship
[edit]The name NatWest has been associated with cricket tournaments held in England. From 1981 until 2000, the bank was the title sponsor of English domestic cricket's main limited overs knockout tournament, which was known as the NatWest Trophy during that period. Between 2000 and 2013, the NatWest Series was an annual one-day international tournament involving England and two visiting international teams. NatWest was also a main sponsor of the 1999 Cricket World Cup, held in England. Since May 2017, it has been the shirt sponsor for the England men's and women's cricket teams.[116] The bank also sponsored England's Test series against Pakistan in 2018.
NatWest is sponsor of the Southern Paintball League, the leading competitive paintball series in the south of England.
NatWest was the main sponsor of the Island Games (known at the time as the NatWest Island Games) from 1999 through to 2019.
NatWest CommunityForce is "a platform that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of NatWest and their local community."[117]
See also
[edit]- Nestle v National Westminster Bank plc
- Re Spectrum Plus Ltd
- Tournier v National Provincial and Union Bank of England
- Office of Fair Trading v Abbey National plc
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