RBS in 60 seconds
Royal Bank of Scotland at a glance (2026)
RBS vs Bank of ScotlandDespite the similar name, Bank of Scotland (founded 1695) is a separate institution inside Lloyds Banking Group. RBS sits inside NatWest Group. The two have always been rivals.
Our verdict: is RBS any good?
RBS is a solid, low-fault mainstream bank rather than a market leader on any single feature. You get a free, highly rated everyday account, a well-reviewed app, a recurring switch offer and the safety of a major UK bank. What you do not get is the kind of headline in-credit interest or large standalone switching bonus that some app-only and challenger banks run. If you want a dependable current account, bank largely in Scotland, or already trust the NatWest Group, RBS is a sensible pick. If you chase the highest savings rate or live far from a branch, compare the wider market first across our UK banks and money apps directory.
Pros
- +Fee-free, 5-star Defaqto-rated Select everyday account;
- +Reward account pays monthly cashback and partner-retailer rewards;
- +Recurring switch offer for new customers via the Current Account Switch Service;
- +Well-rated app with Round Ups, card freeze and spending tools;
- +Major UK bank: FSCS-protected and backed by NatWest Group.
Cons
- −Branch network is concentrated in Scotland, with few branches in England and Wales;
- −No standout in-credit interest on the standard current account;
- −Reward and packaged accounts carry a monthly fee;
- −Product range largely mirrors NatWest, so it rarely beats the wider market on rate.
About Royal Bank of Scotland
RBS was founded in 1727 by Royal Charter, partly as a rival to the older Bank of Scotland. It grew through the 20th century with multiple acquisitions and famously ran into trouble during the 2008 financial crisis, requiring a UK government bailout. The group rebranded itself NatWest Group plc in July 2020, leaving RBS as a retail brand within the group focused mainly on Scotland.
In May 2025 HM Treasury exited its shareholding and NatWest Group returned to full private ownership. RBS benefits from the same group capital, app and Premier proposition as NatWest: the difference is largely branch-network geography and brand.
RBS accounts in 2026
Select Account
Fee-free everyday current account. 5-star Defaqto rated, with contactless debit card, app and Apple Pay and Google Pay. Eligible for the RBS switching offer.
- £0 monthly fee.
- 5-star Defaqto-rated everyday account.
- £200 switch offer when running.
Reward Account
Earn £4/month for two or more direct debits plus £1/month for app log-ins. £2/month fee, waived on £1,250+ monthly pay-in.
- £2/month, £1,250+ pay-in.
- £4 reward + £1 app reward.
- 1% partner-retailer cashback.
Reward Silver
£10/month packaged account with European travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and no non-sterling debit card fees.
- European multi-trip travel insurance.
- Mobile phone insurance.
- No non-sterling fees on debit card.
Reward Platinum
£22/month. Worldwide family travel insurance, UK car breakdown cover and all Silver benefits.
- Worldwide family travel insurance.
- UK car breakdown cover.
- All Reward + Silver benefits.
Premier Select
Fee-free Premier account with dedicated UK Premier service and access to Premier savings rates and mortgages.
- Same eligibility as NatWest Premier.
- Dedicated UK Premier service.
- Premier savings + mortgage perks.
Basic Account
Fee-free no-frills account for customers who do not qualify for a standard current account. No overdraft, contactless debit card.
- Fee-free, no overdraft.
- Contactless debit card.
- Use RBS branches and ATMs.
RBS current accounts compared
| Account | Monthly fee | Best for | Headline benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select | £0 | Everyday banking | Fee-free, 5-star Defaqto rated, switch-offer eligible |
| Reward | £2 (waived on £1,250+ pay-in) | Cashback seekers | £4 reward + £1 app reward + 1% partner cashback |
| Reward Silver | £10 | Travellers | European travel and mobile phone insurance |
| Reward Platinum | £22 | Frequent travellers | Worldwide family travel insurance and UK breakdown cover |
| Premier Select | £0 (eligibility applies) | Higher earners | Dedicated UK Premier service and savings rates |
| Basic | £0 | No-frills banking | Fee-free, no overdraft, contactless debit card |
Fees and benefits are indicative and set by RBS. Always confirm the current terms on the RBS website before applying.
RBS switch offer and app
RBS runs a recurring Current Account Switch Service offer for new customers who open a Select or Reward account, complete a full switch, pay in a qualifying amount and log into the mobile app. The exact bonus and qualifying dates change between rounds, so check the live offer before you apply. The RBS app also includes Round Ups savings, instant card freeze and unfreeze, and a Split the Bill tool, which is why the app scores well in customer reviews.
RBS Premier eligibility
Qualify by meeting any one of:
- ●£100,000 individual or £120,000 joint income paid into the RBS Premier account.
- ●£100,000+ savings or investments held with RBS.
- ●£500,000+ mortgage with RBS.
The RBS Premier framework is identical to NatWest Premier.
RBS customer service
Below are the verified Royal Bank of Scotland customer service contact lines. Numbers in Selectra blue are the ones most customers need first.
Personal banking (UK)
Account help, payments, complaints
0345 724 24 24
24/7
Top lineLost or stolen card (UK)
Block immediately
0370 600 0459
24/7
From abroad
Personal customers travelling
+44 131 549 8888
24/7
Business banking
RBS Business 24/7
0345 600 2230
24/7 general; specialist 9 to 17
In-app chat
24/7 RBS digital assistant
Open in app
24/7
Branch finder
RBS branches in Scotland and beyond
Find a branch
Local hours
Complaints and the Financial Ombudsman
RBS has up to eight weeks to issue a final response. If you are unhappy with the outcome, escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
RBS FAQ
No. They are separate institutions in separate parent groups. RBS sits inside NatWest Group; Bank of Scotland sits inside Lloyds Banking Group.
RBS and NatWest are both retail brands inside the same parent NatWest Group plc. They share an app, product range and Premier proposition, but operate as separate brands with their own branch networks.
Yes. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA. Eligible deposits are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS.
For everyday banking, yes. RBS is a safe, FSCS-protected major UK bank with a fee-free 5-star Defaqto-rated Select account, a cashback-paying Reward account and a well-rated mobile app. It is strongest for Scottish customers and app-first banking; if you want market-leading savings interest or a branch in England or Wales, it is worth comparing the wider market in our best current accounts guide.
You can open a new RBS current account online via the RBS website, in the mobile app or in branch. You will typically need to be a UK resident aged 18 or over and provide ID and proof of address. If you are moving from another bank, choose the Current Account Switch Service option during sign-up to bring your payments across.
Open the RBS account you want online or in branch and select the Current Account Switch Service option. RBS will move your balance, incoming payments and direct debits within seven working days, and the switch is covered by the Current Account Switch Guarantee.
Car leasing is not a core RBS personal-banking product. RBS offers personal loans that can be used to buy a car, and vehicle and asset finance is available through NatWest Group for business customers. For personal car finance, compare a loan against dealer finance before deciding.