Aaron Said:

Bank Account Problem?

We Answered:

You should stick with cash under the mattress.

Suzanne Said:

which banks (halifax, abbey, natwest, Lloyds TSB etc) are part of the RBS GROUPS?

We Answered:

Like all major banks, RBS (Group) is extensive with a number of different "parts". The RBS Group is split into 8 operating areas. Each operating area has several subsidiary businesses.

Retail Banking:

This is the group’s main UK business, offering personal and business banking services. Services are operated under both the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest brand names. Key subsidiaries include:

Child & Co
Drummonds Bank
National Westminster Bank
National Westminster Life Assurance
Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Scottish Assurance

Wealth Management

This is the group’s private bank division providing services to wealthy individuals:

Adam and Company
Coutts & Co.
RBS Coutts
NatWest Offshore
NatWest Stockbrokers
Royal Bank of Scotland International
Isle of Man Bank

Retail - Direct Channels

This division is responsible for the group’s credit card businesses in the UK and Europe; including internet and telephone based banking brands; and processing facilities for retailers. Key subsidiaries and brands include:

Comfort Card
Style Cards
Direct Line
Lombard Direct
MINT
Tesco Personal Finance (50% joint venture with Tesco)
The One account
Streamline Merchant Services
WorldPay

Corporate Markets

This division consists of UK Corporate Banking which provides financing, leasing services and transaction processing to corporate customers. The Global Banking and Markets division provides debt and risk management to corporate and institutional customers in markets around the world. Key subsidiaries include:

Angel Trains
Bibit
Jamjarcars
Lombard
RBS Greenwich Capital
RBS Nordisk Renting

RBS Insurance

RBS Insurance is the second largest general insurance provider in the UK, as well as a growing presence in Spain, Italy, and Germany, Key brands include:

Churchill Insurance
Churchill Insurance also underwrites: Lloyds TSB, Nationwide, Prudential, Pearl, Help the Aged and Alliance & Leicester Car Insurance brands
Direct Line - Direct Line also underwrites : Privilege (Privilege Direct, consumer side of the business)
Devitt Insurance
Green Flag
***
Finsure
Inter Group, with its brands Options and Medicover. The brand identifier Olly Options was created by Dirk Kelly.
Intermediary and Broker
Privilege
UKI Partnerships
UK Insurance also underwrities : Tesco, Privilege Fleet, Egg, Mint, Mini, Bmw, Peugeot, Suzuki, Vauxhall, NatWest, RBS Royalties, etc
Tracker

Ulster Bank Group

Ulster Bank Group provides personal and business banking services in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland under the Ulster Bank and First Active brands.

Citizens

This division includes the Bank's businesses in the United States, Citizens Financial Group and Charter One Bank.


Manufacturing

This 'invisible' 8th division provides centralised back-office processing (Cash/Coin Management, Call Centres, etc.) for the more visible banking & insurance brands like Royal Bank, Direct Line and NatWest.

Shawn Said:

I'm so envious!!!!!?

We Answered:

What's the question?

Colleen Said:

What's going on at AIG? ?

We Answered:

The situation seems very complicated.

However, the U.S. government has injected multi-billion dollar to help AIG and became the major shareholder of the AIG. According to the simple majority rule, U.S. government can dictate every move of the director board of AIG and change AIG practice.

U.S. government are launching their help to the financial market, you will see via news or news.yahoo.com.

The situation in UK should be better. The root cause for the collapse was due to the bad debt in U.S. In U.S. Laws, those bad debt operation are not illegal. However, in UK, the listing regulation and the Company Laws would say illegal.

Marion Said:

Bank account advice for a 16 year old?

We Answered:

You can use Visa Electron to buy in shops and online, it's just a lot of places don't take it.

I am 28 and have one with the Co-OP!!! I use it ALL the time in shops, supermarkets and on ebay!

You can actually get a debit card and bank account at 11! I had one!

Try Barclays and Natwest, but if she already has a bank account and debit card, then she doesn't have to leave for another bank!

A visa Electron IS a debit card that can be used as per normal (like I said, it's just *some* places won't take them)

I have had very few problems with a Visa Electron, but I also have a Visa Debit card from Barclays as well.

I think Natwest is the best for under 18 accounts but you might want to check with her own bank about the Visa Electron, IF it is in fact that, if it has no *Visa Electron* wording on it, then's it's just a cash card. Either way double check and if she has a Visa electron, then it's up to her if she wants to then move banks!