RBS Group – RBS Share Price

The RBS is a banking and Financial services company which is partially owned (84% controlling share) by the UK government (who of course have a great interest in the RBS Share Price ) although in order to retain a stock listing the actual voting rights will not rise above 75%. The RBS stake is held and managed through the offices of UK Financial Investments limited (world’s largest company by assets) which is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Royal Bank of Scotland was founded in 1727, 32 years after its rival The Bank of Scotland-the first Bank in Europe to successfully issue paper currency.

At its peak the RBS was the second largest Bank in Europe and the UK. The fifth largest by market capitalisation in the world, the RBS Share price was at a high of around $25.00 back in the heady days of 1998. It did suffer dramatically however with the crash of global property and asset prices and its exposure to the American housing market amongst others. This has led to the current RBS share price  (July 2011) of around US Dollar 0.56.

The registered head office of the group and the UK clearing bank are located at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II opened the bank’s new head office building in Gogarburn, Edinburgh.

The RBS

RBS Bridge by Richard Webb

Is very much an international ‘big hitter’ in the world of Banking although the RBS Share price may not reflect that at first glance. Operating a wide variety of banking brands that offer both business and private banking opportunities or packages, the Royal Bank offers Insurance and corporate finance throughout its many operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

In the UK and Republic of Ireland the main companies are The Royal Bank of Scotland National Westminster Bank; Ulster Bank; Drummonds; and Coutts & Co. whereas in the USA it owns Citizens Financial Group-the 8th largest Bank in the Country. From 2004 to 2009 it was the second largest shareholder in the Bank of China, itself the world’s fifth largest bank by market capitalisation in February 2008. Insurance companies such as Churchill Insurance, Direct Line, Privilege, and NIG all affect the RBS share price.

RBS Share Price fall

Since these ‘ Heady Days’ of 1998 the  RBS Share Price  has taken a dramatic tumble from around $25 down to the present £0.56. Along with the volatile markets of recent years the Bank has had to deal with the revelations in the press regarding its CEO Sir Fred Goodwin. Ultimately resigning in October 2008 while embroiled in allegations of an affair with a bank employee.

The Royal Bank of Scotland continues to play a major role in world banking affairs to this day and the RBS Share Price seems to have hit the bottom – along with most other Banks – and hopefully is now on the road to recovery. However the financial crises that seems to be gripping the world yet again could mean lean times for the RBS Share Price for the short term.

LISTED UNDER: RBS SHARE PRICE